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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February 2007
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Year Archive
View Article  New Holstein Cow Original Oil Painting by Denise Rich
"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.

View Article  Guernsey cows, "Golden Girls" original cow oil painting by Denise Rich

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.
View Article  Double Trouble Holstein Calves painting, new
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



View Article  Herefords on a roll, not that kind of roll!
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.
View Article  Howard's Heifer returns, new oil painting

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

View Article  Black Baldy (Baldie) calf, oil on board by Denise Rich






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
View Article  New Holstein Painting , by Denise Rich aka The Cow Artist







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.
View Article  US Jersey cow Commissioned painting completet...



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.
View Article  Jersey Calf portrait painting




I just finished this Jersey calf painting.  It is sold, but is available as a print, click here
View Article  Commissioned Painting for The American Jersey Association shown in progress
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.
View Article  Texas Longhorn painting

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.
View Article  Holstein cow original painting,Cows Are Watching, on canvas, Denise Rich

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.
View Article  Holstein Calves painting, 'udderly pushy' by Denise Rich

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.



View Article  Hereford Bull Calf painting, "What you see is what you get"

"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.

View Article  Another Holstein Painting, "Do these spots make me look fat?


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.
View Article  Texas Longhorn Calf Portrait in oil by Denise Rich
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.


View Article  Commission for the American Jersey Association, 2006
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.
View Article  Cowboy boy, little roper commissioned painting with progress photos.
I have painted this little wrangler before, in another cute poseI 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.





View Article  Cow painting commissioned for 2006, Mother cow and calf photos.
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.

View Article  Commissioned cow painting in Progress: Vicky
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


View Article  Holstein World commissioned painting for 2006
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.




View Article  News about the Artist, Denise Rich
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.




View Article  Life at The Holstein Lounge...Brand new Holstein painting by Denise Rich
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.

View Article  Holstein painting, cow lounging in a field.
 
This beautiful lounging Holstein girl is 8 by 10 inches on stretched canvas.
This painting has been sold.

 
View Article  Hereford cow and calf painting
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

View Article  New Large Hereford painting COMPLETED, 18 by 24, "Howard's Hiefer"
PROGRESS PHOTO AND COMPLETED PHOTOThe 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. 
View Article  Commissioned Cow painting for the American Guernsey Association

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.
 







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