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

I started painting cows back in 2004.  I published my cow art online and started blogging about painting them in February of 2005.  

Within a year I was discovered and approached by Deutch Inc, the advertising agency of the California Milk Advisory Board's Real California Milk campaign, interested in putting some California cow art on their website, and the rest is history! 

"It Was Fun While It Lasted"  16"x20"

by Denise Rich 2007

After a visit to the filming site of the two Happy Cows ad spots, "Green Acres" and "Fog", I painted six original oils featuring

the real Happy Cows from the ads.  Now it's been several years, and I'm very pleased to say that the website has recently been

updated to show my current works, which you can see here.

Don't miss the Happy Cow television commercials, also available for viewing on Real California Milk dot com on 

Happy Cow TV,  they are brilliant, always amusing and I personally never get tired of watching them!

Of course it's not all fun and games, some of it is right down to business, California Dairy business that is, as

99% of California Dairy Farms are Family owned.  These fast paced days too many people, especially kids have

no idea where their food comes from.  Don't miss the beautiful documentaries from Dairies across the state, check

them out here.  Also available on the Real California Milk youtube channel.

I have a new toy, a JVC HD digital video camera that takes time lapse videos, what fun!

It's always been something I wanted to do, to show the progress without boring people into comas, but

didn't know or care to hunt down a way to do it.  The other day on woot.com I noticed this camera.

After watching a few time lapse videos on youtube taken with this same model I hit the big "I want one!" button.

Here is the first test video, I declare it a success! I can't wait to do more, only maybe I need to slow it down just a bit? 

Somehow I managed to miss blogging entirely in August, so it must be time for an update!

The biggest bit of news is my big cow paintings are back in the studio, having finished showing

at Alexander Salazar Fine Art.  This means it's time for a studio overhaul to make room for two

seven foot tall by six foot wide cow paintings!  (One of the original three is sold.)

Trust me, it's time for an adjustment anyway.  Since I opened the studio here on Main St. things have

sort of evolved without much of a plan.  An added couch, a few more easels, making room for

the third Friday art walk guests etc.  Now it's time to set it up with a plan.  I'll take photos when I'm

finished, I promise!  Then again, if you live in or visit the San Diego area, you should come by and

see it in person, just call first to be sure I'm here.

Meanwhile, here are a few small pieces I've painted recently in between working on commissions.

Holstein Cow Portrait 8"x8"  I think this is a very pretty cow, with a sweet expression.  I knew I would paint her

as soon as I took her picture. 

Jersey Calf Portrait 8"x8"  How sweet is this face?  I love Jersey calves!

Both paintings are already sold, they went to complete a collection of three 8"x8" paintings for

one of my collectors.  If you are interested in something similar you can always request it.