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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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Tuesday, September 5
Holstein cow original painting,Cows Are Watching, on canvas, Denise Rich
by
therichartist
on Tue 05 Sep 2006 01:15 PM PDT
 Your favorite cow artist has bypassed the typical bovine cuteness in this dark composition titled, "Cows are Watching". It's a very noticeable piece where it hangs on my studio wall, almost startling! This original is sold, available as a print, for purchase information click here. Tuesday, August 15
Holstein Calves painting, 'udderly pushy' by Denise Rich
by
therichartist
on Tue 15 Aug 2006 04:17 PM PDT
 What's cuter than a calf? Two calves of course! This is an 8 by 10 original oil painting of two calves, and someone's being a little pushy, with a 'me first' look all the way! Calves make me smile every time! This painting is sold. This little painting went to two little boys, the oldest of the two said the calves in the painting reminded him of his brother and himself, one being calm the other is sure to be noticed! I have a photo of the boys that I will post as soon as I can scan it, and a little more story to add too. Saturday, August 12
Hereford Bull Calf painting, "What you see is what you get"
by
therichartist
on Sat 12 Aug 2006 04:27 PM PDT
 "What you see is what you get!" This little calf had exactly the attitude that you see here, and more! This study is meant to show that. I took several photos of him and will likely paint a few more small studies, and in the end choose at least one of them for a larger painting in the future. This painting is sold. Available as a print, for purchase information click here. Thursday, July 27
Another Holstein Painting, "Do these spots make me look fat?
by
therichartist
on Thu 27 Jul 2006 09:44 PM PDT
 I've been there, looking back into the mirror or asking my husband, "do these jeans make me look fat?. Here is a bovine butt, asking the same question of her spots, as she looks back towards you with sincere wonder, thinking that all the while she might look petite! 11 by 14, oil on stretched linen This original is available click here for more information. Wednesday, July 12
Texas Longhorn Calf Portrait in oil by Denise Rich
by
therichartist
on Wed 12 Jul 2006 09:31 AM PDT
I have taken a number of Texas Longhorn reference photos that I will be painting from. I can't resist the eyes and how cute the little tiny horns are.
Below are the first three progress photos of the painting, and the larger fourth third image is of the painting completed.    The completed painting below: 12 by 12 inches on stretched canvas.  This painting is sold. Wednesday, July 5
Commission for the American Jersey Association, 2006
by
therichartist
on Wed 05 Jul 2006 08:25 AM PDT
I will be starting a painting commissioned by the American Jersey Association soon, so getting great photos of Jersey's has been high on my list for a while, but was still on my list and I was running out of time!
I've recently returned from a trip to Northern California where I had been photographing the Happy Cows for the California Milk Advisory Board's commissioned paintings for the Real California Cheese campaign. Well, the scenery was just beautiful there, and as luck would have it, on the way to the shoot one day a Holstein Dairy beside the main road caught my eye, (cows always catch my eye). The unpaved crossroad appeard to be leading into a scenic valley. The car turned of it's own will down the road, slowly past the Holsteins, and soon revealed the most picturesque Oak tree I could imagine. I got out of the car to take a photo or ten, then drove on to explore this little valley some more.  As I continued on, my excitement grew, did my eyes deceive
me? Could that be a herd of Jersey cows, in a field, in a
beautiful valley surrounded by classic rolling hills with oak
trees? I drove slower, as if caution would increase the
chances that my distance vision was correct. What a thrill to find as I closed in that I had to slow down even more
to avoid plowing into some Jersey cows in the road, and many more in
the adjacent field grazing happily! The sun was setting quickly, but not before I had the opportunity to meet the owner, and make arrangements to return in the morning to take well over 300 photos. And who was there to help me, but my faithful assistants, shown here being greeted by the girls! I will be posting more updates on the Jersey Commissioned painting, in addition to works in progress as time goes on. Monday, July 3
Cowboy boy, little roper commissioned painting with progress photos.
by
therichartist
on Mon 03 Jul 2006 07:54 PM PDT
I have painted this little wrangler before, in another cute pose. I mentioned that there were two or three more reference photos that would make excellent paintings, and have been commissioned to paint one of them for a collector.
Below are two IN Progress pictures, the second picture it is nearly finished, but he is missing a rope and some detail, and the larger one is the finished painting.    The original, a commissioned work, is sold. Available in print here. Sunday, July 2
Cow painting commissioned for 2006, Mother cow and calf photos.
by
therichartist
on Sun 02 Jul 2006 07:48 PM PDT
One of my most popular paintings is one I had titled 'The Miracle of Milk'. I am frequently asked if that painting is still available, but as it is not, this painting has been commissioned by a collector from one of my vault of reference photos I have taken. She really wanted an adorable scene of a Mother cow and her calf. As I frequent the dairy and take hundreds of reference photos in a single session, I had only to choose one, and if she approves of it, this will be hers. (Collectors tip: This is the best way to get the cow paintings you want )
I'm actually tempted to keep this one myself! Work in progress, photo 1: Work in progress, photo 2   Below is the finished painting.  This original oil painting, a commissioned work from my reference photo, is sold. It is available in print here. Saturday, July 1
Commissioned cow painting in Progress: Vicky
by
therichartist
on Sat 01 Jul 2006 07:37 PM PDT
A favorite collector of mine has commissioned me to do a painting of her favorite cow, Vicky. If you go back far enough in the archives you will see a portrait of Vicky that I did many months ago. Here she is again being immortalized in oil, on a nice large 16 by 20 inch canvas.
This is the first work in progress photo: Second work in progress photo   Wednesday, May 31
Holstein World commissioned painting for 2006
by
therichartist
on Wed 31 May 2006 01:51 PM PDT
One of the most familiar names in
Dairy, Holstein World, has commissioned a painting from me for
2006. It was donated by Holstein World to the 2006 National
Holstein Convention in Sioux Falls, SD for fundraising at the
event.
Here are the first three WORK IN PROGRESS photos: (the color is often different due to lighting when I take each photo)    Here is the completed painting:  16 by 20 inches, oil on canvas. This painting is sold, available in print here. Tuesday, May 30
News about the Artist, Denise Rich
by
therichartist
on Tue 30 May 2006 10:47 PM PDT
News regarding my artwork:
One of my painting images has been licensed to appear in a print ad, if you are a dairy business person, you might have it in your hand right now. I am told it will be appearing in dairy magazines starting June, so watch for an ad by PRINCE AGRI PRODUCTS, INC. that has both a portrait of Ben Franklin and one of my Cows in it. It's a very cute ad! The ad was created by MindSpike Design for Open Roads Business Growth and Development Network. Thursday, May 25
Life at The Holstein Lounge...Brand new Holstein painting by Denise Rich
by
therichartist
on Thu 25 May 2006 01:51 PM PDT
I have mentioned before that I work from my own photos as reference for my original cow paintings. And the answer to your question about this painting is, YES, they did line up for me and pose exactly like that. How cute is this, four girls lounging in a field, chewing and digesting and making milk!
 This original painting is sold, but it is available in print here. Wednesday, May 24
Holstein painting, cow lounging in a field.
by
therichartist
on Wed 24 May 2006 11:45 AM PDT
 This beautiful lounging Holstein girl is 8 by 10 inches on stretched canvas. This painting has been sold. Tuesday, May 16
Hereford cow and calf painting
by
therichartist
on Tue 16 May 2006 11:35 PM PDT
Hereford cow and calf.
 A Hereford/Whiteface cow and her calf, the calf being a mixed breed of Hereford and Black Angus. I photographed this pair while on a recent excursion to Julian, looking for cows and scenery to photograph. I happened upon this Hereford cow and her calf, took several photos of them which served as the reference for this original, one of a kind painting. I love the panda look of the Black Baldies, and the contrast of the mother and calf make this composition even more interesting to me, so I had to paint it! This painting is 6 by 12 inches on masonite panel, specially prepared for oil painting. sold Monday, April 17
New Large Hereford painting COMPLETED, 18 by 24, "Howard's Hiefer"
by
therichartist
on Mon 17 Apr 2006 03:08 PM PDT
PROGRESS PHOTO AND COMPLETED PHOTO- The first photo is of that very first stage where the shape can be seen but the paint is very thin washes over most of the canvas. This is a larger, 18 by 24 inch painting of a young Hereford gal that lives in Julian. Her owner's name is Howard, a super nice guy who let my friend Diane Weintraub and I visit his property with it's breathtaking view (and cows) to take photos. While Diane was taking photos of the landscape, I was busy stalking the the cows!
"Howard's Heifer" first stage, "Howard's Heifer" completed painting   18 BY 24 inches, this painting is sold and on her way to her new home. The photo on the right shows her full of rich colors in a lush landscape. Thursday, April 13
Commissioned Cow painting for the American Guernsey Association
by
therichartist
on Thu 13 Apr 2006 12:39 PM PDT
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. Wednesday, March 22
Irresistable Holstein calves painting
by
therichartist
on Wed 22 Mar 2006 12:06 PM PST
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. Saturday, March 18
Jersey cows painting
by
therichartist
on Sat 18 Mar 2006 07:51 AM PST
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. Friday, March 17
Upcoming commission for American Guernsey Association...
by
therichartist
on Fri 17 Mar 2006 07:42 PM PST
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. Wednesday, March 15
Holstein Cows in a field
by
therichartist
on Wed 15 Mar 2006 04:15 PM PST
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.  Saturday, March 11
Original Holstein Cows painting
by
therichartist
on Sat 11 Mar 2006 06:48 PM PST
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 Thursday, March 2
Texas Longhorn painting, a commission
by
therichartist
on Thu 02 Mar 2006 11:03 AM PST
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. Thursday, February 23
New Holstein Cow painting,"These hooves were made for walkin'!"
by
therichartist
on Thu 23 Feb 2006 12:56 PM PST
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. Saturday, February 18
Award winning Holstein Calf painting by Denise Rich
by
therichartist
on Sat 18 Feb 2006 08:39 AM PST
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. Tuesday, February 7
Holstein Calves painting
by
therichartist
on Tue 07 Feb 2006 10:59 AM PST
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 Friday, January 27
First finished painting for 2006 by Denise Rich
by
therichartist
on Fri 27 Jan 2006 06:01 PM PST
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. Monday, January 16
Hereford cow and Jersey cow portraits by Denise Rich
by
therichartist
on Mon 16 Jan 2006 08:47 AM PST
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.  Tuesday, January 3
Holstein cow painting 'Cow'lifornia Girls by Denise Rich
by
therichartist
on Tue 03 Jan 2006 10:40 AM PST
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 Friday, December 9
What's planned for 2006
by
therichartist
on Fri 09 Dec 2005 08:19 AM PST
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.
Thursday, December 8
What's on the easel today? Holsteins and tons of cuteness!
by
therichartist
on Thu 08 Dec 2005 03:54 PM PST
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!  |
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