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".
This painting, commissioned by the American Guernsey Association has been purchased. Print and other items with the image will be available through the AGA, and proceeds will go to the AGA youth programs, and benefit AGA Junior members across the country. >WORK IN PROGRESS< Below is the finished painting: This original oil painting on a stretched linen canvas by Denise Rich is 16 by 20 inches.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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' ! "
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 issold and on it's way to Texas.
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
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.
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.
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!
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
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.
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
Be sure to check out theAnimart 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!
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.
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
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.