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Best known for her bovine renditions, with unique compositions and contemporary views, Denise has combined her love of animals and art in oil for the past 20 years.
Denise's focus for the past several years has been cows because "Cows make me smile. I seriously can't look at one and hold back a smile. I don't just see an animal, I see a personality, and that is what I am working to present in my paintings of cows." In 2006 Denise received a commission from the California Milk Advisory Board to paint their famous Happy Cows of the Real California Milk campaign. This led to becoming "The Official Happy Cow Artist", as seen on their website.
Her creative process begins with field work, taking reference photos. Cows being a favorite subject means "field work" can be taken literally, and involves careful stepping!
With a signature "painterly realism" style Denise breathes life
into her subjects, often bringing viewer comments of how "you could just reach out and touch them" and "I expect them to mooo".
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This Month
Month Archive
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Monday, October 17
Two new cow paintings
by
therichartist
on Mon 17 Oct 2005 12:41 PM PDT
Well, I finally got pictures of these latest paintings, when they are too big to fit onto the scanner, it's always an issue.
First, a larger Holstein painting, titled "Trick or Teat", I just couldn't resist that since she looks like she means business,and it's October!  She's 16 by 20 inches of moody Holstein, and she is sold. Next but not least, two Jersey cows being sweet as you would expect, in this painting titled what else, "Jersey Gal Pals".  12 by 12 inches oil on canvas, sold Thursday, September 29
Going to the World Dairy Expo?
by
therichartist
on Thu 29 Sep 2005 10:02 AM PDT
Be sure to check out the Animart exhibit's 2006 calender- one of my images is being published as the month of April.
Also check into the Holstein Foundation's Art Auction Fundraiser brochure, it has a photo of one of my portraits as an example. Have fun, wish I was going but I will see you there next year! Sunday, September 25
Hereford cow painting, 16 by 20 original, by Denise Rich
by
therichartist
on Sun 25 Sep 2005 01:43 PM PDT
I just love those eyelashes! And the classic look of a cow straight on.
This is one of my favorites so far!  "Bashful Bovine" oil on stretched canvas This painting is sold Available in print here. Saturday, September 24
Holstein calf Moo! painting
by
therichartist
on Sat 24 Sep 2005 08:52 AM PDT
Here's a little fun 5 by 7.
This painting is sold. 
Thursday, September 22
Recent commission
by
therichartist
on Thu 22 Sep 2005 09:53 AM PDT
Molly and Baby are owned and loved by Donna in New York. Donna
owns a foreign auto parts store that is decorated with cows, I would
love to see a picture of that! Donna won a photo contest
with this picture and commissioned me to paint it.
Thanks Donna, it was a fun one!  original photograph oil painting11 by 14, oil on linen Wednesday, August 31
"What Attitude?" Holstein cow painting
by
therichartist
on Wed 31 Aug 2005 07:58 PM PDT
The finishing touches are in, here is the completed painting:
 "What attitude?" 12 by 16 oil on canvas This painting is sold
"Queen of the Hill" Holstein oil painting
by
therichartist
on Wed 31 Aug 2005 07:51 PM PDT
I painted the Hereford cow titled "King of the Hill", here is another regal
bovine being, this one is titled "Queen of the Hill" and pictures a
Holstein lady lounging on a grassy green hill with dried hills of
recently baled hay behind her in San Pasqual valley.
 "Queen of the Hill" 1 This painting is sold.
commission in progress
by
therichartist
on Wed 31 Aug 2005 08:33 AM PDT
Here is a
commisson in progress, Dale and his cow Molly. This is Molly as
she was about to give birth to twin calves, at around midnight. I
really like the dramatic lighting in this poignant piece, but it makes
it a challenge to paint. I am actually working with three copies
of this photo, adjusted differently with brightness and contrast so I
can see some detail.
 11 by 14 on linen. september 7 progress update:  september 30, the finished painting:  Tuesday, August 30
Finally, a Jersey cow painting, finished
by
therichartist
on Tue 30 Aug 2005 09:51 AM PDT
I finally had a chance to
photograph some Jersey cows. Here is the first painting from the photos I took at K and F Dairy in El Centro, thank
you Tom!
 A fourth addition to my growing calf collection. oil on masonite. This painting is sold Available in print click here. Sunday, August 7
A new Holstein cow painting, "Uptown Girl"
by
therichartist
on Sun 07 Aug 2005 06:11 PM PDT
I know you Holstein fans are
wondering what's going on, interlopers have taken the spotlight off and
on, and I admit, I will be sharing time with some of the other
breeds. Well, it's your turn again, and here is one I'm
very pleased with and would like to think is small but mighty, This
painting is called "Uptown Girl" because she looks to me like she is
something special.
 oil on masonite This painting is sold. Available in print, click here for purchase information.
Hereford cow painting, clockwork orange eye.
by
therichartist
on Sun 07 Aug 2005 12:57 PM PDT
I love this painting of a Hereford
cow, the shadow from the eyelashes reminds me of the promo photos for
the movie "A Clockwork Orange" which I never did see, and have no idea
what it is about, but I named the painting after it anyway.
 12 by 16 oil on canvas this painting is sold. Available in print click here for purchase information. Monday, August 1
Dairy Cows paintings expanding, another new Guernsey painting.
by
therichartist
on Mon 01 Aug 2005 08:28 AM PDT
Here is another beautiful
Guernsey. I love the lighting in this
painting. (Thanks again, Linda for letting me visit your ranch!)
 10 by 10 inches, oil on canvas this painting is sold Available in print, for purchase information click here. Thursday, July 28
New Holstein paintings:
by
therichartist
on Thu 28 Jul 2005 07:26 AM PDT
Here are two new Holstein
paintings at long last! I've got one 6 by 6, an addition to the
calf series (which now also includes the Hereford and a
Guernsey.) I loved the look on this little calf and love how the
painting turned out.
 "Spring green and white" Original is sold, available in print, for purchase information click here. This painting is finally finished as well, I like the way they they are both looking right at you.  "Holstein profiles" 12 by 16 oil on stretched canvas this painting is sold. Wednesday, July 27
New calf painting, a guernsey this time, by Denise Rich
by
therichartist
on Wed 27 Jul 2005 08:07 AM PDT
I have been fortunate enough to
find some Guernsey's near enough to drive and get reference photos
of. Here is the first painting from a recent visit to a very nice
person's ranch (thank you so much, Linda!) where I am free to roam
about taking pictures of both Guernseys and Texas Longhorns to my
hearts content.
This little calf was full of life and personality, on one of the hottest days of the year when most were staying in the shade, she came out to frollick and clown for the camera. I painted her with a little bit of tongue sticking out because it just seemed right, she was so cute and silly.  "Raspberries to you" this painting is sold Available in print, click here for purchase information. Tuesday, July 19
Holstein staring contest, original cow oil painting by Denise Rich
by
therichartist
on Tue 19 Jul 2005 01:11 PM PDT
 oil on canvas, this painting is sold. Friday, July 15
Holstein Cows Painting "Uninvited Dinner Guests"
by
therichartist
on Fri 15 Jul 2005 09:13 AM PDT
Five Holstein cows grazing, I like
painting the groupings of multiple cows, this one had a perfect
combination of individuals and a fun element to me with the two
interlopers.
 "Uninvited dinner guests" Update 7/25 this painting is sold. Available in print, for print options click here. Thursday, July 7
FFA Painting by Denise Rich
by
therichartist
on Thu 07 Jul 2005 11:34 AM PDT
The Future Farmers of America
Alumni have a silent auction fundraiser and asked if I would be willing
to donate a work for it. I thought it would be good for them and
good for me as well, so I said yes. This led to my taking photos
of the FFA students at the Del Mar Fair showing their calves, hoping I
would get something that would make a good composition for their
painting. Of about three that I will be painting eventually, this
is the first and I am very pleased with it, I hope all of the FFA
Alumni who are attending the event will be bidding on it and that it
raises a lot of money for the kids.
 "Blue Ribbon" 8 by 10 inches oil on masonite board When I was watching these kids show their animals I kept thinking what it would be like when after having raised them up from little babies they would be sending them off to market very soon, and all that's left is the blue ribbon. I'm sure it is a lot of mixed emotion, and somehow this composition captured that for me. If you are an FFA alumni or student and are interested in having a print of this painting, email me. Wednesday, July 6
My Youngest fan/art collector! You have to see this!
by
therichartist
on Wed 06 Jul 2005 10:57 PM PDT
Meet Kitty, my youngest cow
painting owner. At the age of three, Kitty has a thing for cows,
especially the udders, which her mother Viktoria tells me she calls
"bazookas!". It might be as her mom suggests that it has
something to do with being breastfed, I understand totally having had
two of my own that were not in a hurry to wearn. Kitty's mom
bought this painting for her, and she just had to touch the
"bazookas". How cute is that?
 Kitty, I hope you always love your "Bazooka" cow painting! Tuesday, July 5
A new Texas Longhorn painting, and an Original Dog Drawing...
by
therichartist
on Tue 05 Jul 2005 04:58 PM PDT
For a while I was concentrating on drawings. This is a drawing I did in 2003.
 This graphite on bristol drawing is 6 by 8 inches. For those who don't know, it's a Brittany, (formerly called Brittany Spaniel). This drawing is titled "The Shnoz", and is of my husband's hunting dog Spek. You can feel the joy she gets from running through the field in search of pheasant. My original dog drawings have been mostly hoarded by me, although I have sold many prints in the past. I have decided to let one go for a contest. This drawing is sold..  This 8 by 10 original oil painting, titled "Nice Rack", is of a texas longhorn cow that lives in Ramona, California, my favorite nearby farm-type area. I take photos of her every time I visit. Mostly she ignores me and continues to eat grass, so I wait patiently with my camera for her to favor me with a glance! this painting is sold. Saturday, June 25
New Cow painting, Black Baldie, by Denise Rich
by
therichartist
on Sat 25 Jun 2005 10:08 AM PDT
On my travels through Ramona
in San Diego areas outback, I happened upon a herd of what looked
like large Panda Cows. These are Black Baldies which if you are
not familiar with them are a Hereford/Angus cross, and are the most
popular Hereford cross I am told. Those of you who are really
experts, please feel free to leave a comment.
The rains in San Diego had been so heavy that there was a natural pond the gals were wading in, lucky for me it was close to the road!  6 by 12 oil on masonite. this painting is sold Friday, June 24
Recent commission
by
therichartist
on Fri 24 Jun 2005 10:09 AM PDT
Here is my most recently commissioned work. This is
Vicky, the mother and grandmother of many cows on a farm in South
Dakota. Now in semi-retirement. Vicky is also a favorite cow on
the farm so she has been immortalized in oil at the request of her
owner.
  Painting on left, reference photo on right. Friday, June 3
Latest Holstein Cow Paintings by Denise Rich
by
therichartist
on Fri 03 Jun 2005 05:53 PM PDT
One small, 5 by 7 oil on masonite board, but makes a big statement with a beautiful spring green pasture and backlit bovine.
 Update 6/12 This painting is sold. A little larger, and one of my favorites so far, this 9 by 12 oil on canvas is titled "Don't look now..." .  This painting is sold. Monday, May 23
Holstein Calf Original oil paintings...New!
by
therichartist
on Mon 23 May 2005 03:47 PM PDT
I
do think that all cows are extremely cute, but nothing beats the
cuteness of the babies. Here are two new paintings that I
couldn't resist doing...
 Oil on prepared masonite panel. 6 by 12 inches This painting is sold.  Oil on prepared masonite panel. 8 by 8 inches. update 5/24 Sold Sunday, May 22
Hereford calf oil painting by Denise Rich
by
therichartist
on Sun 22 May 2005 05:45 PM PDT
A young Hereford Calf portrait.
 Oil on masonite panel Sold Available in print, click here for information. Wednesday, May 11
Original Holstein Cow Oil Painting by Denise Rich,
by
therichartist
on Wed 11 May 2005 02:49 PM PDT
Here she is, in all her Holstein glory. I think she is a very
cute gal and she was the first one to walk over to me on the day I took
the reference photo I used for this painting. .
 Holstein cow portrait 16 by 20 oil on stretched canvas This painting is sold. She has moved to New York. Thursday, May 5
"The miracle of Milk" original holstein oil painting by Denise Rich
by
therichartist
on Thu 05 May 2005 07:09 PM PDT
"The Miracle of Milk". If you can't get enough cuteness in your environment, this is a must!
An often seen scene at a dairy, I for one can't seem to resist it. Watch for another mother with a new baby painting in the future.  oil on canvas this painting is sold. Print options if available are listed here. Thursday, April 21
California Cows Original Oil Painting (by Denise Rich)
by
therichartist
on Thu 21 Apr 2005 05:25 PM PDT
"Grazing on a sunny afternoon"
is the latest in the Holstein Cow category, but it is already spoken
for, purchased right off of the easel before I had a chance to post
it.
 This painting has been sold.
San Diego Art by San Diego Artist Denise Rich...Girls on the Beach
by
therichartist
on Thu 21 Apr 2005 05:09 PM PDT
One of my favorite subjects (besides cows) are children. This painting is number four in a series I have done of girls playing in the waves at the beach. The original reference photo for this painting was taken at dog beach in Ocean Beach. This scene brings forth memories of growing up in San Diego, summer at the beach, the feeling of waves splashing against you. I remember how after spending the day doing that, I could still feel phantom waves splashing against me even after I went home.
 16 by 20 oil on stretched canvas Private collection of the artist. Sunday, April 17
Holstein cow original oil painting portrait 16 by 20 new!
by
therichartist
on Sun 17 Apr 2005 07:28 PM PDT
"I'm ready for my close
up...." I love those cow faces, this one looks like she is about
to walk right out of the painting right at you. This portrait is
more towards realistic in style but still has a painterly
quality.
 Oil on stretched canvas. 16 by 20 update 4-19, This painting has been sold. If you are interested in a painting, please check back often to see what is new. Monday, April 11
8 by 10 Holstein Painting, "two's company" ...
by
therichartist
on Mon 11 Apr 2005 09:19 AM PDT
"two's company", with two Holsteins together as a third looks on, they actually do a lot of looking I notice.
4/13-This painting is sold. Saturday, April 9
Holy Holstein, new 16 by 20 painting...
by
therichartist
on Sat 09 Apr 2005 07:58 AM PDT
...sold
before I had a chance to finish it. This is my latest work, just
finished early this week. One of my collectors purchased this
painting before I had a chance to clean my brushes! I love the
cow on the left, she has that little cap of black hair that looks to me
like a certain religious head adornment so I had to call this
painting Holy Holstein. I will be posting another large work for
sale here early next week. Cheers!
Tuesday, March 29
Black Angus cattle oil painting...
by
therichartist
on Tue 29 Mar 2005 09:39 AM PST
I
have had several requests for different breeds of cattle to be
immortalized in oil. The Holsteins are in great supply for photo
reference as there is a local dairy, but I finally found some friendly
Black Angus hanging around just outside of Santa Ysabel. The
funny thing about cows is you had better get some pictures quickly when
they first notice you, because in a few minutes they all start walking
towards the fence and once they do that all you will get are photos of
a line of cows next to a barbed wire fence. I am getting used to
that, as well as the slightly scary sensation of a herd of huge
animals all walking towards me at once, when the only thing separating
us is a thin wire barrier. My husband points out that it does
have barbed wire, but I counter-pointed that they are cows and have thick
cow skin, and even use the barbs to scratch their necks on.
Fortunately I am smarter than they are, and they don't seem to know
that they could take that fence without too much effort.
This painting has been sold. Wednesday, March 23
"puppy love", the newest painting by Denise Rich, black pug puppy...
by
therichartist
on Wed 23 Mar 2005 08:53 PM PST
Friends
of ours had gotten a new pug puppy a little over a year ago. Of
course, when we visited them my daughter fell in love! None of
our five dogs are small enough for her to pick up. so this was a
delicious novelty for her, I am glad the pup already had a home, we
don't need any more dogs!!!
This little black Pug puppy could steal anyone's heart away! And so could that beautiful little girl, I might add completely without bias!! In Private collection of the artist. Monday, March 14
New original oil painting, "the sign says 'DOG' beach!!" makes it's debut
by
therichartist
on Mon 14 Mar 2005 08:13 PM PST
This is the first I have planned in a series of original oil paintings
of scenes from Dog Beach, right here in Ocean Beach, San Diego
County. You see a lot of interesting things
I am very pleased with the way this painting turned out, the combination of complementary colors blue and orange, with the bright orange of the child's bathing suit bringing the viewers eye to the first focal point, and the dark of the dog bringing the eye to the second one, it really works for me. Of course, it also satisfies my sense of humor, which needs to be done and is a primary element in many of my paintings. I hope you enjoy it! This painting is sold. |
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