You may recall some time back a blog post about a commission I received to paint
some Holstein cows on the beach.  There is a very specific vision in my client's mind for
this painting, and I've been working for almost a year to get the perfect bovine reference.  Unfortunately,
my efforts alone have proved to fall short of the goal, so I had to enlist the assistance of the owner
of the local dairy, Van Ommering's. 

My mission, to photograph two cows, mostly white with splotches of black, looking as if they had
been having a conversation and were taken by surprise.  Now you wouldn't think with as many trips
to the dairy as I've taken to accomplish this that it would be so very challenging, but it was.
Here's Dave Van Ommering, taking time out of his busy day to help me corral three cows of
the desired coloring. 
 
The cows were not impressed.  All they wanted was to get to the cows on the other side.

That was not the view I was after!

So Dave graciously helped me, got them to move around, and kept them in one area long enough for
me to take about 75 pictures of various configurations. Thank you so much for your help Dave!!

You really have to be on your toes to get that perfect shot, no time to watch your step as you run
across the stall to head off a potential escapee.  Well, whatever it takes, it's all in the line of doody!