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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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Sunday, September 20
Bosque Conservatory Art Classic, three pieces juried into the show
by
therichartist
on Sun 20 Sep 2009 07:59 AM PDT
I was very pleased to find that three of my entries were accepted into the Bosque Conservatory Art Classic show in Clifton, Texas, September 12-27, 2009.
This show gets a very large number of entries, this year it received 975 entries, from which 144 were chosen in four categories. I had these two Hereford works in the paintings category:   Ranger Portrait 16"x20" (sold at the show) and Crowded Cows 18"x18" and this (American Bison) Buffalo Portrait (Charcoal and Oil) in the drawing category:  Buffalo Portrait 16"x20" Friday, September 18
Texas Longhorn calf, Black Baldy cow, Hereford calf paintings by Denise Rich
by
therichartist
on Fri 18 Sep 2009 08:25 AM PDT
You might have noticed the recorded videos in recent blog posts showing portions of these three paintings in progress.
Here they are finished, fresh off of the easel. All three are 14"x14" on portrait canvas.    The Hereford is another view of Ranger, a recently sold portrait. He is so cute! The Black Baldy painting is a portrait of one of his friends, they both lived on the same property, and were show cattle. The little Texas Longhorn calf portrait is the second in a series of portraits, the first one is sold. I have one more view that I did as a study (sold) that I will likely paint in the future. Saturday, September 12
Took reference photos last Tuesday...Dairy, Buffalo Ranch, Dairy in that order
by
therichartist
on Sat 12 Sep 2009 05:21 PM PDT
My plans were foiled last Tuesday when I went out to Ramona to take dairy cow photos for a commission. Because of the continuing high heat all of the cows were hanging out in the shade, not what I need!
Making the best of it, I took a detour out to the Buffalo Ranch hoping to get a good close up for a portrait I'd like to do. Do you think this is close enough????  Meet Harley, her mother died and she was raised by a human family. Still able to integrate into the herd she responds when called, how great is that? However, I think this might be a tad too close! Watch for some Buffalo paintings coming up in the near future though, as I did get a number of great shots! (Thanks Amie!) Tuesday, September 8
Out to take reference photos in Ramona this morning, Holsteins here I come!
by
therichartist
on Tue 08 Sep 2009 09:03 AM PDT
I've been commissioned to do a painting of Holstein cows on the beach, this should be great fun. The first thing I have to do though is take the photo reference that will work, as of course I'm not aware of any Dairy cows living at the beach, so it will involve a photo of Holsteins that can be painted into a beach scene.
Taking the photo reference is one of my favorite things, it always leaves me in a good mood and with a smile on my face. Unfortunately, I've had few windows of opportunity in which to photograph my bovine friends in anything but 100 plus degree heat lately. It looks like today is a small break, so I'm jumping on the chance to get the girls basking instead of wilting in the shade. Happy Holsteins, get ready to show me your good side, here I come with my camera! Monday, September 7
Labor Day, painting a Hereford calf live from the studio!
by
therichartist
on Mon 07 Sep 2009 08:54 AM PDT
Sunday, September 6
Labor Day Weekend, and I'm laboring! Working on a new Black Baldy Portrait live!
by
therichartist
on Sun 06 Sep 2009 09:45 AM PDT
I've spent a lot of time getting things together so I can broadcast more often from my studio. This morning I was up bright and early for a Sunday, loving the smell of oil paint in the morning, working on a new Black Baldy cow portrait.
Wednesday, September 2
New Work Series, American Bison - Buffalo by Denise Rich
by
therichartist
on Wed 02 Sep 2009 07:39 AM PDT
A new series is in progress to add to my Bovine art adventures. I've been gathering some interesting information about the American Bison, and have decided that it is most deserving of being center stage for a while. I have dabbled a bit, with a couple of pieces, one being the portrait that was accepted into the Bosque Art Classic seen in a previous post.
I like the look of the charcoal, and will be doing more, such as this new piece. From several hundred reference photos I have taken this is one of the first pieces finished, a portrait, charcoal on canvas. This has been specially treated and sealed so it does not need to be under glass, and can be framed in a traditional canvas frame, a feature I especially like, The charcoal on canvas, to me, has a completely different look and depth than charcoal on paper.  30"x40" Although it is charcoal, I wouldn't so much call it a drawing, as when I work with charcoal in this way I actually would describe it more as painting with the charcoal, similar to how pastels are called "pastel paintings". I like this so much I might like to do it as an oil painting as well. Saturday, August 1
Recent portrait painting of two Hereford Bulls, titled "Respect A Bull"
by
therichartist
on Sat 01 Aug 2009 08:39 AM PDT
From photo reference taken in Ramona, this huge Hereford Bull was kept with a
younger male, and I love the way he is pushing his weight around, making sure the youngster knows who is boss! I've know I would paint this since the photo was taken, and it's turning out to be a great deal of fun, the swirls are going to be the best part.    This painting is 18"x24". "Respect A Bull" I love watching the cattle interact, this is a perfect example, and you don't know for sure if he was pushing the little guy around or just scratching his nose, but he does have a look in his eye! Monday, July 6
New Black Angus painting, study for a larger piece, The Boys
by
therichartist
on Mon 06 Jul 2009 08:26 AM PDT
Here's a group of Black Angus (or Brangus) youngsters looking for trouble. These are from a herd in Ramona, California, one of my favorite places to get cattle photo reference. My plans are to do some very large scale paintings, but before I do I have to see how a composition works first, so this is an 8" x16" oil on canvas, from which I will decide if I want to paint it much larger, and I'm thinking of 24"x48".
 Tuesday, June 16
Getting back to work in a big way, new Holstein paintings and two commissions
by
therichartist
on Tue 16 Jun 2009 09:48 AM PDT
There was the two weeks off, one for the cruise, the other to get ready for the cruise. Then there was the last week of school, graduation ceremonies and last day picnic. Now there is an 11 year old looking for something to do. Regardless of all of the distractions, I'm getting back to work!!
I started this with the intention of keeping the charcoal as part of the finished piece as with my buffalo charcoal with oil, but the canvas texture was not a smooth, nor did it accept the dark charcoal in any way that pleased me, so the charcoal you see here became the underpainting.   I really liked the look of the charcoal, and will do another on a smoother canvas. Up close it just wasn't what I was after. My first decision was the background, and it was an easy one. Black, white and red just begs to be combined. I don't know why I haven't done more Holsteins with red, because it's one of my favorite combinations, so these two kids are now in front of the barn... This is 18"x24", and is near completion. I'll be posting a final picture when it is done, taken in better light, if the San Diego June Gloom decides to let up. This photo was taken in low light, I might replace it, but you can get the idea. I'm taking suggestions for a title, and no it can't be "Got Milk?" which is unfortunately what I keep seeing in their little expectant faces....post a comment if you have a suggestion, although a sign in is offered, you do not need to sign in to leave a comment! In addition, I have two commissions I will be starting. One of cows on the beach, a fun concept and something different for me that I'm very excited about, and another of cows grazing, a classic scene that's always fun! Now finished, and titled "Ben and Jerry"  Monday, June 15
Hereford cow/cattle paintings, new and favorites!
by
therichartist
on Mon 15 Jun 2009 10:24 AM PDT
I've got two favorite new Hereford paintings, just finished. First is a classic portrait of Ranger. I've painted Ranger before, he was my bovine model for "What You See Is What You Get", an 8"x10" painting from a few years ago. Here he is close up, with every bit as much attitude as before, which I loved and is why I have chosen to paint him:
 This painting is 16"x20" oil on canvas. In the post below you can see some of this painting in progress in my online broadcast. Next is one I had previously done a 6"x6" study for, and the painting is 18"x18" oil on canvas.  The red and white face cows are dominating the easel lately, next up are Holsteins. Friday, May 22
Thursday, May 14
Red Angus Study, oil on panel
by
therichartist
on Thu 14 May 2009 07:37 PM PDT
 6"x6" oil on panel This is a new study, I had thought about making it a little tighter, but couldn't bring myself to do anymore to it, as I really loved the look, especially with the background blending in. I may do a more detailed, larger painting of this in the future. Wednesday, May 13
Three Herefords in a Field cows commissioned painting
by
therichartist
on Wed 13 May 2009 07:53 AM PDT
As often happens, a client found a painting on my website that they liked, but it was sold. The next step is to contact me and commission something with the same flavor, and as I have taken tons of reference photos over the years, there is always a probable chance that I can come up with something you will love just as much.
In this case, the sold painting was "Cutting the Mustard", a painting of Hereford cattle in a landscape. I knew I had more photos that would carry this theme, so I scoured out the best one, and produced these two graphite studies which were the result of cropping the same photo two different ways:   My client chose this one directly above, Three Cows in a Field as the composition for their painting. Next step was to begin the painting, which is 24"x36". I layed it out in charcoal first, then put a wash over it in complimentary colors to what the final colors will be and got the cows started:   And on to the finished painting:  This painting was quite fun to do, the reference photograph had all greens, but my client wanted wheat colored grasses, so I really enjoyed putting in all of the gold and amber waves of grain. It blends so well with the Herefords while at the same time making them stand out. Just enough green scrubby trees to lead the eye in and down to the cows. Tuesday, April 28
Bucking Bulls painting for their owners, Bo's Excuse for the Andrews, and Brutus for Laird Bucking Bulls
by
therichartist
on Tue 28 Apr 2009 11:15 AM PDT
I've been lagging on the updates! Here are two new commissioned paintings I've done recently of Bucking Bulls, commissioned by their owners. This is Bo's Excuse, for Rena Andrews of Andrews Rodeo Co.
  This painting is 12"x12", oil on canvas. This reference photo came to me directly from his owner: Next is another handsome bucking bull named Brutus. This painting was commissioned by Lisa Laird of Laird Bucking Bulls.   This painting is 6"x8", oil on canvas mounted to board. This reference photos came to me through email directly from his owner. Monday, March 23
New Works, Holsteins and a pig painting
by
therichartist
on Mon 23 Mar 2009 10:24 AM PDT
I'm off on Thursday to Paso Robles, California for the Cattlemen's Western Art Show.
This is an invitational Western art show. Since I'm getting ready, and will be gone on Thursday, my usual live broadcast is being canceled for the week, but I will be back on air live next week. Here are two new works: The Holsteins are 24"x36"  And now for something different, another of my favorite farm animals, Mr. Pig, a 12"x12" oil painting.  "Pig Headed" Monday, February 2
I herd you- new painting of a Hereford and a Cow Dog by Denise Rich
by
therichartist
on Mon 02 Feb 2009 01:29 PM PST
Here is a brand new piece, from one of the very best reference photos I've ever taken (in my opinion.) I was actually taking pictures of the Hereford, when this Border Collie (maybe a Australian Shepherd) decided to pose as well. I really loved how the Hereford's ear is bent back listening to the dog approach.
 I herd you 24"x24" oil on canvas If you scroll down you will find how this piece started, as a charcoal sketch on the canvas. This painting is sold. Tuesday, January 13
New painting just finished, Arabian horse
by
therichartist
on Tue 13 Jan 2009 12:40 PM PST
I've had this sitting on the mantle partially done since ? October! If you scroll down you will find a poorly lit photo of it collecting dust there, until very recently when I was inspired to finish it finally. I decided to blot out the back horse, she was too dark in the reference photo to see much and it didn't really add to the piece, I like it much better now. It's about color, the back lighting and the shadow anyway, really another mood piece.
 6"x12" oil on board. Saturday, December 13
Jersey Calf Portrait Commission in Progress
by
therichartist
on Sat 13 Dec 2008 09:15 AM PST
The cuteness of a calf is forever in this oil portrait, commissioned by a client after falling in love with a Jersey calf face in one of my previous works.
This painting in progress is 12"x12" on wide profile canvas, I'll be painting the edges so it will be ready to hang when it arrives.    Monday, November 10
New Commissions in progress, now finished! Miniature Herefords and a Holststein
by
therichartist
on Mon 10 Nov 2008 09:51 AM PST
My favorite subjects, this time two commissions. The first one is of Miniature Hereford cows. Who can resist this scene of a mom and her calf in the field? This is the clients photo, and perfect to work from. Shown in three stages, the first is layed in with charcoal, the second is the beginnings of blocking in, and the third is blocked in and starting to give the subjects form. The fourth is the final finished painting.
    This painting is 20"x30" on canvas. On to the next commission. You may recall and if not just scroll down to read about the beautiful dairy cow named Da Iry. She is a 4H project of a young woman named Emily. Emily's mother has commissioned a portrait of Da Iry for her daughter to have as a keepsake, a very touching idea. I visited them and was able to take the reference photos myself. Emily chose the photo to be used for the painting, a shot where Da Iry has her tongue sticking out. She wanted something that showed her beautiful face and personality. I think it was an excellent choice!   This painting is 12x16 on linen. Thursday, October 16
Donated to the North Shore Animal League America online Charity Auction
by
therichartist
on Thu 16 Oct 2008 12:03 PM PDT
Here is a view I see often when photographing dairy cows for painting reference, the extreme close up of the super curious one in the bunch.
 "I'm Ready For My Close-Up" 18"x24" Sold Tuesday, October 14
Happy Cow Art
by
therichartist
on Tue 14 Oct 2008 08:31 AM PDT
A common practice with artists is to do preliminary drawings and sketches for planning an oil painting. Sometimes several similar views are done to enable chosing the best one to paint.
I have generally only offered oil paintings for purchase, but I am going to start listing for sale some studies, charcoal and graphite of the Happy Cow paintings, as well as others. I think they would make great gifts for any Holstein fan, especially if they love the Happy Cows. This is one of my favorites of the Happy Cows:  You may recognize it as California Is The Place To Be. This is graphite on Arches 90 lb hot press watercolor paper, a surface I am especially fond of drawing on. This is about 5.5"x7". I love the value studies, hope you will too. I'll be posting more as I have time, but commissions are calling! Sunday, October 5
News and new works in progress, cow, cow dog, horses
by
therichartist
on Sun 05 Oct 2008 09:52 AM PDT
News around here is my Husband's knee surgery went well and he is recovering nicely! It's kept the Rich Artist a little distracted having him around the house for the past couple of weeks, but he's back to work, (and so am I.)
These are on the back burner as I am working on two commissioned pieces seen in another post, but I wanted to put them up. The cow with the herding dog, I believe it's a border collie, is a pet cow of a local woman who teaches cutting. This guy came in as a youngster for practice, and walked right into her heart. Lucky for him, and for me, as I had the opportunity to take several excellent photo reference shots of him a while back. This is the first painting I'll be doing of him, there will be more, he's quite photogenic and giving Howard's Heifer a bit of competition as my favorite bovine model!  This piece is 24x24. This is just a vine charcoal value lay in, although I really do like it just as it is, this will be an oil painting, just as soon as I get around to it. I love this composition, the title is "I herd you". And one small piece in the wings, 6x12 oil on board, this one is just blocked in, and will be a looser style study. I love the shadows.  Not the best lit photo, it's on my mantle waiting to be finished. I might do this on a very large scale in the future, I think this study is working. Saturday, October 4
Mountain Oyster Club's 39th annual Contemporary Western Art Show and Sale
by
therichartist
on Sat 04 Oct 2008 10:04 AM PDT
 This piece, 12x16 oil on linen titled "Nibbling on Sugar and Spice", has been accepted into the prestigious Mountain Oyster Club Contemporary Western Art Show and Sale, which will be November 23. This annual event is in it's 39th year. I am honored to be included in this years show. From their website: "The Mountain Oyster Club, established in 1948, is a private club composed of members united in the interest of preserving Southwestern heritage and “Old Pueblo” tradition. Their foundations in this way of life vary. Whether they come from pioneer stock with deep roots in Each year the Club sponsors the Annual Southwestern Art Show and For more information, visit them at www.mountainoysterclub.com Sunday, September 14
Cowgirl original oil painting, now completedl!
by
therichartist
on Sun 14 Sep 2008 08:27 AM PDT
I've had a couple of popular Rodeo Cowboy little boy works available for a while, and have been asked a number of times "where is the little girl Cowgirl?" Here is number one in that category, in three progress pictures and the completed painting fourth.
   Finally finished in the fourth photo, and photographed in natural light which represents the colors the best. The title of this piece is "Nibbling on Sugar and Spice" 12"x16" oil on linen Wednesday, September 3
New Holstein Calf painting by Denise Rich
by
therichartist
on Wed 03 Sep 2008 01:43 PM PDT
I finished this the other day, finally got a chance to photograph it this morning.
I always love the little Holstein calves at the dairy. It takes them a few minutes to warm up to me and my camera, but I have a lot of patience, and never fail to get good photo reference for my work when I visit. This I love especially because of the lines of the fence behind her, and the rich colors. OH, and also the shadow. The ears always make such interesting shadows if they are at the right angle! This painting is 12"x12" on board.  I've been enjoying doing several smaller works lately, potentially studies for larger paintings in the future. This one I could perhaps see as a 36"x36" or larger someday. Monday, August 18
New Work, three new cow works by Denise Rich aka The Happy Cow Artist
by
therichartist
on Mon 18 Aug 2008 11:57 AM PDT
Three new small works. All three bovine, all three on my favorite surface.
The first one, "Mini Moo" of nearly all white Holsteins, I have been wanting to paint ever since the shutter clicked at the dairy. I have a few more pictures of this pair that I will likely paint as well.  5x7 oil on panel "Mini Moo" Next are Black Angus and I believe Charolaise, or perhaps a cross. I thought this was an interesting view, and couldn't resist the title "O.R.E.O."  O-R-E-O 6x6 oil on panel And finally, this big Black Angus bull was resting happily, the two behind him probably his calves reminded me of kids showing Dad respect while he is taking a nap, not that it ever happens in this house!  "Keeping a Respectful Distance" 6x8 oil on panel (O.R.E.O. is sold) Thursday, July 24
First Buffalo study...
by
therichartist
on Thu 24 Jul 2008 02:49 PM PDT
Thanks to my friends at the local Buffalo ranch, I've gotten some great reference pictures recently! Here is the first product, a head study.
 This is 6"x8" oil on board. This painting is sold. Monday, July 21
Jersey cows commission in progress UPDATED Aug 1, finished!
by
therichartist
on Mon 21 Jul 2008 08:16 AM PDT
Now Completed!
You may have seen the 5"x7" study in an earlier post, I had done the study in preparation for a larger painting planned in the future, but instead of waiting until I get around to it, I have been commissioned to paint this larger for a client. This piece is 18"x24" of complicated cow parts, but a joy to paint, and it is going to be one of my favorite works to date. (The 5"x7" study is available.)      Final (except for signature!) 18"x24" oil on canvas Jersey Heifers (Photo taken in natural light for the best color representation.) Now completed, will be shipped to it's new home next week. I love the 'cow crowd' scenes like this one and Eye Herd, they are my very favorite compositions. Watch for more of different breeds in the future. I have another study of Herefords that will be coming in a large painting eventually, titled "Red and White Cattle". Wednesday, July 2
A few new paintings for the Western portfolio, both 24"x36", and horses
by
therichartist
on Wed 02 Jul 2008 07:47 PM PDT
Two new paintings
  Here is the finished work, I didn't get any in between progress pictures!  The other one, a very tightly cropped painting of a Mustang is also finished:  Both are 24"x36" oil on canvas. The Mustang painting is titled "I Am Sadie" and is sold. The Horse and Colt is available. |
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