Denise Rich, aka The Rich Artist
Focusing on Original Oil Paintings of cows and cattle since 2004
The Official Happy Cow Artist
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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If you can't use the link, just send an email to richartist@cox.net Or call me in the Studio. (619) 933-5935
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March 2006
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Year Archive
View Article  Irresistable Holstein calves painting
Here is a richly colored oil painting of two cute calf buddies.  The reference photo for this painting was taken by me at the local dairy.  There is an abundant supply of calves to enjoy, I try to get some good photos of them each time I visit.

sold
Available in print here.


View Article  Jersey cows painting
I was in the mood to do a looser painting with a dramatic feel, and I am pleased with the results on this original oil study of Jersey cows.

Original oil study on board.  Also, a photo of how this painting looks in a frame. 
This painting is sold.
View Article  Upcoming commission for American Guernsey Association...
 I have been commissioned by The American Guernsey Association to do a painting.  Since all of my paintings are done from my own original photos, I went this weekend to a Ranch with Guernsey cattle to take reference pictures.  (Thank you again Linda for your help and hospitality!)  My husband and daughter 'assisted' on the photo shoot, and made friends with the cows too!

I will be posting more about the commission as it unfolds, and am planning to include progress pictures of the painting.  I expect to have the first in a series of progress pictures of this painting up on the site this week.
View Article  Holstein Cows in a field
These Holsteins live at the local dairy.  This original cow oil study is on a masonite board
specially prepared with a beautiful oil painting surface.  I really love to paint on board, the finish is not like canvas, it's smooth and reflects light differently.  This piece is titled "Lazy day Holsteins", and is sold.


View Article  Original Holstein Cows painting
Here are three California Holstein gals that appear to be gossiping about something...at least one tongue is wagging, and the other two are all ears! 
This painting is sold



View Article  Texas Longhorn painting, a commission
There are some beautiful Texas Longhorns not too far from me, I had the opportunity to photograph them, just in time for a commission request for a Longhorn Portrait.
Here she is, with her crown of glory.

16 by 20, oil on canvas.
This painting is sold.
Available in print here.
If you are interested in commissioning a painting from my huge supply of reference photos of a Texas Longhorn or other cattle breed, contact me directly at 619-933-5935.

View Article  New Holstein Cow painting,"These hooves were made for walkin'!"
I often get reference photos of curious cows walking towards me, if I don't shoot the picture quickly enough, I end up with a shot up their nose!  This one was caught in the middle of her approach, and is titled "These hooves were made for walkin' ! "
 

This painting is sold.
View Article  Award winning Holstein Calf painting by Denise Rich
Here is a cute study of a Holstein Calf with strong lighting.
Always cute, with those big ears and that cow gaze.
"Hay, what's for breakfast?"
This painting exhibited in the Roswell Fine Arts League 23rd annual juried show, August 3-13 2006, at the Roswell Museum and Art Center.
It is my second work entered into a show, and I was excited that it also won two awards.
Honorable mention award as well as a Sponsor award.

9 by 12 inches on board
Update 8/20, This painting is sold and on it's way to Texas.

View Article  Holstein Calves painting
Happy Valentines day!  Here is an original oil painting of two Holstein Calves in dramatic light.  Interesting shadows are cast, and the calves pop right out at you.

 sold


View Article  First finished painting for 2006 by Denise Rich
Hard to imagine that life is not just cows, but sometimes there must also be cowboys.  Here is a little guy all tuckered out from roping his practice bull. 

9 by 12 inches on stretched canvas
This painting is sold.  Available as a print here.




View Article  Hereford cow and Jersey cow portraits by Denise Rich
A new Jersey painting, a new Hereford/Whiteface painting.
Directly below, a Jersey Cow Portrait, 16 by 20
This painting is sold.


Below, a Hereford/Whiteface portrait, 16 by 20
This painting is sold.


 
View Article  Holstein cow painting 'Cow'lifornia Girls by Denise Rich
They wish they all could be California Girls!  These lucky ones are, three cows in a field of dreams. 

oil on stretched canvas
This painting is sold
View Article  What's planned for 2006
If you are looking for cow paintings, I have several cow paintings in the sketch stage right now!  There will be Holsteins, Jerseys, Guernseys as well as Hereford, Texas longhorn, Black Angus and more. in 2006.   You can also reserve first call on the next painting I do of a particular breed by contacting me, I'll show it to you first, before anyone else has a chance to buy it.   I will be posting previews and commentary here on my blog.   Finished work and print options are available on my website,  www.deniserichart.com.  If you are interested in  contacting me email me at denise@therichartist.com, or call me in the studio, 619-933-5935.
View Article  What's on the easel today? Holsteins and tons of cuteness!
Here is the latest work in progress, 16 by 20, oil on canvas, working title "Mudderly instinct" depicts two Holsteins with a newly born calf shakily standing on his own,  I did promise cuteness!

Still working on this one, I should have an updated picture early this week.   updated info, this painting has been sold.  I'll still be posting an update and a finished photo when I can.
Here is an updated photo of the progress.


Here is the new owner with the finished painting, I am told this xmas gift left her speechless, and of course, smiling!  I hope you enjoy your painting for many years!


View Article  Alfred E. Mooman, new Hereford oil study
This is the same little calf that I painted a portrait of titled "What, Me Worry?".  Here he is in all of his full glory, still reminding me of Alfred E. Newman with his red hair and sticking out ears.

oil on masonite.
This oil study is sold



View Article  News...
I am very pleased that my services as a commission painter were retained by Bob Heilman and donated to an online Art Auction to benefit The Holstein Foundation.  The commissioned painting will be 16 by 20 inches, oil on canvas, and I will work from the winner's photo of their favorite bovine subject.  Check out the entire Art Catalog.  The Holstein Foundation is dedicated to providing programs that educate and inspire leadership amongst dairy industry youth and young adults.

View Article  Hereford / White face oil study painting

Here is a very cute White face, Hereford Guy

He was very curious about me,and very cute, I thought!
This oil study is sold
View Article  Two new cow paintings
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
View Article  Going to the World Dairy Expo?
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!
View Article  Hereford cow painting, 16 by 20 original, by Denise Rich
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.

View Article  Holstein calf Moo! painting
Here's a little fun 5 by 7.
This painting is sold.
View Article  Recent commission
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 painting
11 by 14, oil on linen
View Article  "What Attitude?" Holstein cow painting
 The finishing touches are in, here is the completed painting:

"What attitude?"
12 by 16 oil on canvas
This painting is sold
View Article  "Queen of the Hill" Holstein oil painting
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.

View Article  commission in progress
 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:


View Article  Finally, a Jersey cow painting, finished
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.


View Article  A new Holstein cow painting, "Uptown Girl"
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.

 
View Article  Hereford cow painting, clockwork orange eye.
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.
View Article  Dairy Cows paintings expanding, another new Guernsey painting.
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.

View Article  New Holstein paintings:
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.
View Article  New calf painting, a guernsey this time, by Denise Rich
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.

View Article  Holstein staring contest, original cow oil painting by Denise Rich

oil on canvas,
this painting is sold.
View Article  Holstein Cows Painting "Uninvited Dinner Guests"
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.