Paintings in progress and studio notes from fine artist Denise Rich, specializing in cow paintings and commissions from client photographs.

Why I painted this pair of Hereford calves:

I loved the two together, how even though both cows are Herefords in this

small study it's evident that they are distinctly different.  Golden grasses are a favorite, the actual scenery here was just perfect and

a nice compliment to the color of the Herefords.

There is always something about a piece that has attracted my attention and focus, sometimes it is a simple expression of an individual, other times it's the social or interactive behavior of the cattle.  Are two cows in a painting better than one?  In all cases it just depends

on what makes you smile, or feel a special feeling, and that can come from unexpected places sometimes, can't it?

When a collector falls in love with one of my sold works, I have little choice but to disappoint them, because although I can

paint something with a similar feel I don't reproduce a work from the same reference.  This Texas Longhorn is an exception in that

I was able to paint the same cow, from two different reference photos taken years apart.

I painted a commission in 2006 of a Texas Longhorn cow, from reference I had taken the same year, and recently a client fell in love with it.   Of course it was not available, so I combed through my Texas Longhorn reference and found several with a similar look, from photos I had taken in 2010 at the same ranch.

After selecting one that I thought looked similar, I started to compare the recent reference photos with the sold piece, the color on both cows was the same, then I paid closer attention and realized the markings were the same, it was indeed the same cow as in the sold work, in a very similar pose, but in the new reference photo she was four years older.  Perfect!  This is the reference I worked from for the new piece.

Perfection!  Even though I don't do the same painting twice the client was able to have something very similar to the sold piece she loved, a rare situation indeed!

The unfortunate situation is most common, where a piece is sold and there is no reference that captures that same feel.  This is the world of one of a kind original fine art, and is why when you do find something that you love you should not let it go. Unlike 

reproduced items there is no backorder or future shipment of the same thing, there is only one.

Recently a gentleman came into my studio, said he would not describe himself as an art collector, but talked of a piece he had seen many years ago and loved, decided to purchase it but when he went back it had already been sold.  I thought it interesting that this had occured years ago but as he recalled and talked about it, the disappointment was still there as if it had been last week.

The sadness of this missed opportunity, like a lost love showed me how deep his emotional connection was, I will always remember

that.



I have been working on this painting for a while.  One of the reasons is it took some time to get the right reference for it,

as my client had a very specific 'look' she wanted.  Because the cows simply refuse to line up in cooperation this involved several

trips to the local dairies, waiting for the chance opportunity to get a photo of cows that would fit her vision.  She wanted the beack to look like the one she vacations at, Destin Beach, Florida.

It's been a long time to find the right combination of cows, and tweaking the beach, for which I used various reference

material, but I am happy with it now.  It does get a lot of attention at the studio, and several people have said it's

their favorite.  Thank you, Genny for giving me the opportunity to make this happen for you!

It was a lot of work, but it challenged me and the end result is very satisfying.

Technically 5 galleries and one working studio-me~

Stop on by this Friday night between 5 and 9 pm, and check out the quickly evolving Main Street

arts district in downtown El Cajon-visit all galleries for a chance to win a prize!

There will be refreshments served in each space, over 500 works of art.

Visit:

1-Silver Creek Gallery and Custom Framing, not just a gallery of art and frame shop, it's filled with

great vintage and unique collectibles. 

2-Main Street 5 Gallery, a very nice space, this month showing the works of the Associated Fine Artists group, be sure to join the

mailing list to be informed of future shows, changing every month.  Owner Esther Beish will greet you with high energy

and a smile, fun guaranteed!

3-The Rich Artist, working studio of Denise Rich (me).  Represented locally by Alexander Salazar Fine Art at 7th and Broadway Downtown, (link to ASFA shows my works available through Alex) this is my working studio that you can visit and see what I'm working on, ask questions, etc.

4-White Sage Gallery, working studio of Diane Keltner, sculture artist (and painter).  Don't miss this beautiful space, you will think you are in a Santa Fe gallery.

5- Gallery C, a new gallery that is having a closing reception on art walk night for their current show N'SEEN, featuring the conceptual sculptural works of Carlos Castrejon and the contemporary paintings of Silvia Valentino.  This is a HUGE space!  Filled with works by these two fine artists, catch the closing night of the show at Gallery C.

And as if that's not enough, a new development in the growing arts community here in El Cajon a sixth space,

featuring the sculpture of two local artists will also be open at 128 E. Main St.  Both artists will be available to talk about

their work and the plans for their new gallery space.

Any questions please call me at 619-933-5935

Denise

Cow tipping anyone?

My friend Leigh Rubin, the mastermind behind Rubes cartoons has made it possible for

even city folk to engage in this interesting pasttime.  

"You can't keep a good cow down."

Good one Leigh!!  You always make me laugh!

Product Description

See it on Amazon.com  here

Denise Rich cow paintings that is, courtesy of Alexander Salazar Fine Art and Fox 5 news.

This morning I shared the back lot with the local (classic rock playing) music group Rockola, which is cool because they

have been a personal favorite of mine for many years.   In this video you can see my paintings to the right

waiting for our turn in front of the camera...

And here is a link to the televised interview:

Happy Cow Artist Denise Rich on Fox 5