For purchase information on either of these paintings, click here.
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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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Questions, Comments?
This Month
Month Archive
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Friday, October 26
Two New Rodeo Paintings
by
therichartist
on Fri 26 Oct 2007 02:55 PM PDT
Team Roping and Rodeo Bull and Rider are two new oil paintings.
For purchase information on either of these paintings, click here. Saturday, October 20
Interested in commissioning a painting?
by
therichartist
on Sat 20 Oct 2007 04:58 AM PDT
Commissioned paintings are
great special gifts, lifetime keepsakes that can be passed down for generations. If
you have a photo that you cherish and would like to see immortalized in
oil, just contact me for a consultation. Once you send me a photo
either through email or regular mail I will evaluate it's potential and
work with you on creating something that will be very special.
Here is an example of a commissioned work, a sweet sixteen year
old girl and her horse, commissioned as a Birthday gift for her
mother. (I was told she loved it so much she cried.) A
well done oil painting takes time and there is a limit to
availability. If you want it for a special occasion, be sure to
put in a request as early as possible. There is a link to my email in the left column, or denise@therichartist.com.
Photo/Painting Friday, August 10
New Holstein Painting
by
therichartist
on Fri 10 Aug 2007 01:39 PM PDT
Here is a new Holstein cow painting. I liked the three head line up, and chose to put them in front of a rich barn red background. With a light shining on this painting it really glows.
 This painting is available, click here for details. Wednesday, August 8
The Cowboys
by
therichartist
on Wed 08 Aug 2007 08:37 AM PDT
The Rich Artist has gone western! Of course, this doesn't mean there won't be more cow paintings, just that there will be an addition of western and cowboy themed works which are a natural extension of the cow theme. Now available as Canvas Giclees :
 Belly Up to the Campfire, 10x20  Rodeo Cowboy Boy 8x10  Rodeo Cowboy Boy II 12x16 For prices and availability, click here. Thursday, August 2
A lot going on!
by
therichartist
on Thu 02 Aug 2007 12:26 AM PDT
My work will be available at the Harris Ranch Country Store, Coalinga, Ca and in Boot Barn. In addition, a new Exclusive licensed merchandise store has opened, with beautiful quality Cow merchandise featuring my work. You can see these great cow, cowboy, western and rodeo art items at www.cowson.com. Friday, June 22
Denise Rich aka The Rich Artist on Channel 10 News with Hal Clement
by
therichartist
on Fri 22 Jun 2007 07:19 PM PDT
This is a video I took off of the television, don't look for your cell phone in the end, that's on the video. My son had to call me as soon as it was over to say, "She paints cows, horses, dogs, birds, even her daughter and husband, but not her son who she doesn't care about...."Of course that's not true, the first thing I ever did any artwork of were pictures of my son!
Wednesday, June 20
Holstein Portrait, side view
by
therichartist
on Wed 20 Jun 2007 10:59 AM PDT
I just love the way a cow's face is made, this original cow oil painting shows these fine features from the side view.
 Are You Still Here? 12"x12" oil on stretched canvas This painting is available, click here for details.
Holstein Calves from 'Double Trouble' return
by
therichartist
on Wed 20 Jun 2007 10:47 AM PDT
These are the same two calves that were depicted in a previous painting titled "Double Trouble". Something became very interesting to their right.
This painting features some very rich, glowing colors in the shadows. You will want to put a light on it for the full effect.  Calves by the Barn 11"x14" oil on portrait smooth canvas This painting is available. Monday, June 18
Another new original oil painting
by
therichartist
on Mon 18 Jun 2007 04:24 PM PDT
This is a Charolais cow portrait in oil on linen. I took the photo reference for this in Ramona among the same herd of cattle as the recent painting of the Hereford cow and her Black Baldy calf.
My daughter thinks it looks like Bodacious the famous Rodeo Bull. I'm pretty sure they are from the same type of stock, but of course this is a cow, not a bull. I really loved painting the swirls and putting a lot of subtle color in.  12"x16" oil on stretched linen This painting is available, for information, click here.
Black Angus cow and calf near Santa Ysabel, ca
by
therichartist
on Mon 18 Jun 2007 04:14 PM PDT
My bovine filled corner of the world was busy getting ready, so I've got a few
paintings behind in listing new work! This first original oil is a Black Angus Cow and Calf. I really love how this painting looks, the sillouette style of the black cows against the rich greens really does stand out. I loved the pose of both of them in the original photo reference, taken on the left side of the road just before you hit Dudley's Bakery in Santa Ysabel going east from Ramona. If you drive out there much, you've probably seen them. Then again, maybe not, sometimes I forget that not everyone has the same cow radar as I do! The brushwork is very evident, but doesn't show up in the photograph here of the painting. I can send you closer views if you are interested.  6"x12"oil on gessoed masonite, my favorite support. The surface of this is just beautiful. This original oil painting is Sold. Tuesday, May 22
A pair of Rodeo Bulls in this new painting
by
therichartist
on Tue 22 May 2007 12:40 PM PDT
These bulls are Brahma mixes. They were hanging out in a corral waiting for their turn to buck someone, looking like they are well prepared for the job.
 This painting is 12 by 16 inches oil on gessoed masonite Available, click here for information.
New Rodeo Bull Painting
by
therichartist
on Tue 22 May 2007 12:36 PM PDT
Thanks to the Vice President of the Lakeside Rodeo Association, I was able to take some reference photos of their rodeo bulls. The first paintings from those pictures are now available.
I'm always looking for reference that shows personality and expression.  16 by 20 inches oil on gessoed masonite available Wednesday, May 16
Paintings from photographs...
by
therichartist
on Wed 16 May 2007 01:33 PM PDT
I am often asked if I can do a
painting from someone's photograph of their cow, horse, daughter,
family dog, etc. The answer is yes. Painting from
photographs is all that I do. Every one of my
original oil paintings was done from a photograph that I have
taken. The style can vary from loose to almost photo real. With my
original oils it depends upon my mood, with your photos it depends on your
preference. This will all be discussed ahead of time to insure
that you receive the heirloom painting you are expecting.
If you would like to see the original photos from any of my paintings, please ask, here is one example. The intention here was not to be photo real, but to be realistic in a painterly style that captured the mood, the softness and sweetness of the scene. My subject range is limitless, if you have a photo of it, it can become a treasured oil painting.   Original photograph. Original oil painting. Another example is my neighbor's Harley Davidson Fat Boy. The idea here was to be more photo real, but still be clearly a painting. If you would like to see larger images for comparison, please email me and I will be happy to send it to you.   Original photograph. Original oil painting. Monday, May 14
New painting, Hereford cow and her Black Baldy calf
by
therichartist
on Mon 14 May 2007 10:35 AM PDT
 "She Takes After Her Father's Side" 18" x 18" oil on stretched canvas This is a common sight in the fields of beef cattle, Hereford cows with Black Angus sires producing Black Baldy calves. I love the contrast of the two colors on white face cattle. The reference photo for this pair was taken in Ramona. This painting is available, click here for more information. Wednesday, May 2
New Holstein Painting, just finished.
by
therichartist
on Wed 02 May 2007 04:47 PM PDT
 Wholesteins 2 oil on canvas 20" x 24" This painting has just been finished. I love this look, another variation on a previously sold work, this whole painting is Holsteins. This is number two in a series I am developing with this theme. Great for Holstein fans, great for the dramatic black and white factor. This painting is available. Click here for purchase information. Thursday, April 26
Hereford, Black Baldy cattle Cutting through the Mustard in a lush landscape
by
therichartist
on Thu 26 Apr 2007 02:10 PM PDT
Have I mentioned how much I love it when the cows line up just right? This group was marching through the field of mustard flowers in perfect formation, "Cutting the Mustard".
 10 by 20 inches oil on stretched canvas This painting is available, click here for details.
Black Angus Bull Calf new painting
by
therichartist
on Thu 26 Apr 2007 12:33 PM PDT
I've noticed, and I don't know if it is coincidental, but among the few Bulls I have had the opportunity to be close enough to photograph, a tendency to avoid turning their head toward me. It looks like they are trying to watch me while being too cool about it. This little Bull Calf did the same thing, so I did get a nice profile shot of him for this portrait.
 11 y 14 inches oil on stretched canvas This painting is available. Friday, March 2
New Hereford White face steer or bull painting
by
therichartist
on Fri 02 Mar 2007 07:52 PM PST
I think this is a steer, but he was big and a male either way. I found him in Ramona.
 This painting is titled, My Good Side, and it is available, click here for information. 12 x 12, oil on canvas
Holstein cows fill the whole canvas, so I called this painting Wholsteins
by
therichartist
on Fri 02 Mar 2007 07:48 PM PST
This is one of the works that I listed on my progress blog, and it sold before I got to list it here for sale. I really do love the way this turned out, and am working on another composition that uses the same idea, filling the canvas with black and white Holstein bodies. This painting is sold, available as a print here.
 Wholesteins sold Wednesday, February 28
New Holstein Cow Original Oil Painting by Denise Rich
by
therichartist
on Wed 28 Feb 2007 09:23 AM PST
"Artificial What????" is a 12 by 16 original oil painting on stretched canvas of a Holstein Cow with what looked to me like a surprised expression as she peers backward.
 This painting is sold. Prints are available here. Friday, December 1
Guernsey cows, "Golden Girls" original cow oil painting by Denise Rich
by
therichartist
on Fri 01 Dec 2006 07:59 AM PST
 The Golden Girls, here in the low sun, with shadows made by those cute cow ears. I painted them with Autumn colors, and even here in Sunny Southern California it feels right as the temperature has been dipping close to freezing at night. This is a large painting, 16 by 20, oil on stretched linen. This painting is available, click here for more information. Wednesday, November 29
Double Trouble Holstein Calves painting, new
by
therichartist
on Wed 29 Nov 2006 12:53 PM PST
 Here comes trouble, times two. A couple of cautious calves, curiosity getting the better of them as they watch. This painting has rich color and a very painterly style.  I think this painting looks great in a dark wood frame as shown here, it really accentuates the high contrasts. "Double Trouble" sold
Herefords on a roll, not that kind of roll!
by
therichartist
on Wed 29 Nov 2006 12:39 PM PST
My daughter and I often talk about our dream house. It as she described to me again this morning it is " on a big hill with a view, and a big flat area below that we would fence in for the cows and one small area for a pig." She added the pig to the scene this morning. It will be a pet, I'm told. I like it, but my husband might not be impressed when all of the animals are pets, and none of them will end up on a bun with bbq sauce! (roll).
 Herefords are on a roll, this means I've been painting a few of them, number two today is titled "It's good to be Queen!". This is Her Royal Highness, Queen of the Pasture if ever I saw it, just look at that regal head carriage, that crown of horns held high, the slight look down the nose at her subjects, OK, at me. Anyway I get a kick out of her attitude, this was fun to paint and is one of my favorites. This painting is sold, available as canvas giclee/fine art print here.
Howard's Heifer returns, new oil painting
by
therichartist
on Wed 29 Nov 2006 12:27 PM PST
 This very cute Hereford Heifer that I had a photo session with is turning up in a number of paintings/future paintings. Here is one of them, number two in her personal gallery. The title of this painting is "I'm just a Girl..." as in the No Doubt song of course, "I'm just a girl all pretty and petite" it continues. OK, by most standards she's not petite, but if you had seen her mother... "I'm just a Girl..." Sold Thursday, November 9
Black Baldy (Baldie) calf, oil on board by Denise Rich
by
therichartist
on Thu 09 Nov 2006 08:12 AM PST
 5" by 7" oil on board This little Black Baldy calf looks lonely, but he was standing right beside his mother in the original photograph that I used for reference, taken at a ranch between here and Ramona. Lately I've been into the autumn colors, and I love the way that golden grass contrasts with his dark coat. sold Wednesday, November 8
New Holstein Painting , by Denise Rich aka The Cow Artist
by
therichartist
on Wed 08 Nov 2006 11:22 AM PST
 Here is a new Original Cow painting, a study of three Holstein cow heads. I was very attracted to the pattern created by their heads, and the mood the piece seems to create for me, it might be a different mood for you, but it is definitely 'moody'. I'm now working on the large painting this was a study for, it's 24"x36" on canvas, watch for updates. Monday, September 25
US Jersey cow Commissioned painting completet...
by
therichartist
on Mon 25 Sep 2006 11:49 AM PDT
 Here is the completed painting, "Wide Load Ahead", commissioned by the American Jersey Association for 2006 to use for fundraising. The 16 by 20 inch original will be on display in the Jersey booth at the World Dairy Expo, October 3-6, and I'm pleased to say that I will be in attendance this year. I will attending the 3rd, 4th and 5th, and am hoping to meet some of you there. Be sure to stop by and see the painting and say Hi. To see this painting in all of it's progress stages, click here. Sunday, September 24
Jersey Calf portrait painting
by
therichartist
on Sun 24 Sep 2006 08:17 PM PDT
Thursday, September 14
Commissioned Painting for The American Jersey Association shown in progress
by
therichartist
on Thu 14 Sep 2006 08:23 AM PDT
This painting is titled "Wide Load Ahead"
This project and painting availability are described in further detail here.       Here is the finished painting------------------->>> which is in the private collection of the American Jersey Association. Signed, numbered limited edition of 75 giclee prints on canvas are available through the American Jersey Association, as well as a limited edition Print on Fine art paper. Wednesday, September 6
Texas Longhorn painting
by
therichartist
on Wed 06 Sep 2006 01:07 PM PDT
 The texas longhorn's crowning glory is shown off here in double, one front view and one side view, giving this composition an especially interesting dimension. I love the rich colors of the cows too. The painting is framed and just returned from a juried show in Breckenridge Texas. This is not the frame it's currently in, updated photo coming soon. 12 by 16 inches, oil on masonite (Ampersand gessoboard, professional painting panel.) Framed size, 18"x22" click here for purchase information. 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. |
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