Abbey's New Calf

5 X 7 Sharpie pen on index $25

Includes shipping in U.S.

Abbey, the black Jersey cow, joined our family last week and she came with her own little 3 month old bull calf by her side. She produces more milk that he and we can drink, so last Monday I went to the local cattle sale and brought home a little day old dairy calf.
Erath county has a number of commercial dairies. Cows have to deliver calves yearly to produce milk and very few dairymen keep the bull calves. The cows can't raise them because they are producing milk for US to drink. So they are sold at the local sale barns. Most are bottle raised to eventually end up in the grocery store or at McDonalds.
I am not found of raising pure-bred Holstein calves. Holsteins are bred to produce milk - not meat. And the survival instincts of the breed seem to be gone - if they get sick, they give up. So I looked for a crossbred calf - one that was part Angus (exactly like Abbey's calf) and that's what I found. In fact, the two calves could be brothers (meet Darryl and my OTHER brother Darryl). It's taken a week for Abbey to accept the fact that there are now TWO boys to raise, and she has no choice. The little one has figured out that the safest way to nurse is from the rear while Big Brother is going at it, and he has become relentless in his pursuit of dinner. Momma has no choice but to stand still. And since cows can't kick backwards like a horse can, he's safe, and all's right with the world.....
Isaiah 55:1
[ Invitation to the Thirsty ] “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.
If you are interested in this drawing, click here to send me an email. I accept checks and Paypal. I can also arrange LAYAWAY. To view my latest paintings on Daily Painters go HERE. To view larger paintings, go to my Website HERE. To view a wealth of OTHER Texas Artists, enjoy THIS site!

Abbey the Black Jersey Cow

6 X 6 Marker on Index 

Given away to a regular viewer who answered a question.
Watch for more giveaways in the future!

It has been an eventful past two weeks.
My precious Aunt Anne passed away last Saturday, and Mike and I journeyed to Baton Rouge, my birthplace, for her funeral on Thursday. In actuality, it was a joyous passing for her - she lost her husband three years ago and was ready to join him. As usual, I was delighted to visit with so many of my Cajun Cousins and their children (and grandchildren). Cousin Betsy wants a reunion - and so do I. Texas is actually quite nice in January (and so is Louisiana)...Think about it, cousins!
Another event: we have purchased a milk cow - a black Jersey named Abbey. We used to have a milking Shorthorn 30 years ago, and like Abbey, Red Cow was a combination family milk cow/nurse cow. I would get baby calves from local dairies and she would raise them in addition to her own calf. Abbey has been doing the same. She had been nursing 2 calves and came to us with only her own calf, so she has a LOT of extra milk now. We don't yet have a milking stanchion nor is she halter broke, but I can put a bucket of feed before her and she lets me milk her while she's eating. In about 7 minutes I can get a couple quarts from her - more than Mike and I drink in a day, but I plan to make cheese this week...stay tuned. (I promise NOT to turn this blog into a soliloquy on self-sufficiency, but I think most of you out there already know where I stand regarding the need to prepare in advance for emergencies.)
Leviticus 20:24
But I said to you, “You will possess their land; I will give it to you as an inheritance, a land flowing with milk and honey.” I am the LORD your God, who has set you apart from the nations.

What Cows Do Best

6 X 8 Ink on index $25

Includes shipping and insurance

There's not much grass left in the pasture for this kind of activity. No rain means no grass...and no flowers for the bees. I am feeding them a quart of 50% sugar water a day - and they'd take more. The bees are NOT in a good mood, either. When I removed the empty sugar water jar last night at sundown, they came after me and I got stung on the hand. Now half my right hand is swollen and itchy - not good. Guess I'd better start walking more cautiously around them!
The chickens are cutting back on their laying, too - but good old Moe, the naked-neck chicken, is uglier than ever and still laying the biggest eggs every day. Today's Sunday school lesson for my teenagers was about God not seeing the same way people see. People look at the outside of a person, but the Lord looks at the heart.
Same with Moe - she would end up last place in a chicken beauty pageant - heck, they may not even let her in!!!! But she is the best layer AND the best at getting after the grasshoppers. AND she survived the great coyote massacre of 2010. As far as I am concerned, she is perfect.
1 Samuel 16:7
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

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Price: $25 USD
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 I accept checks and Paypal. I can also arrange LAYAWAY. To view my latest paintings on Daily Painters go HERE. To view larger paintings, go to my Website HERE. To view a wealth of OTHER Texas Artists, enjoy THIS site!

Cow in the front yard - line pen and ink drawing

6 1/4 X 8 ink on index $25

Includes shipping in US

I need to keep drawing because it really does improve my confidence. I completed this in about 3 minutes. Yep, at $25 for 3 minutes, that's $500 an hour - can't beat those rates! Of course, we aren't taking into consideration the practice it took to get here, the hours it took stalking this cow, the cost of the camera, the computer imaging to store it, the advertising, the education, the years of extra study, studio expenses, the maturity to know the difference between a good cow and a mediocre cow, etc. So I guess in reality it took a lifetime to draw this cow. 59 years is over a half million hours. So $25 in 3 minutes is actually about 1/1000 a cent per hour. Pretty good value when you consider it THAT way, huh?
When an observer asks me "How long did it take you to complete that?", I answer "59 years". After March 28 the answer with change to "60 years". I LOVE the puzzled look I get until their lightbulb comes on!
1 Timothy 4:8
For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

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Price: $25 USD
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 I accept checks and Paypal. I can also arrange LAYAWAY. To view my latest paintings on Daily Painters go HERE. To view larger paintings, go to my Website HERE. To view a wealth of OTHER Texas Artists, enjoy THIS site!

Displacement

5 X 7 Ink on Index $25

Includes shipping US

Sticking with drawing for a while - good for the mind and hand coordination. The more I draw, the better I see. Rather like "The more I pray, the better I communicate with God".
1 John 3:22
"...and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him."

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Price: $25 USD
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 I accept checks and Paypal. I can also arrange LAYAWAY. To view my latest paintings on Daily Painters go HERE. To view larger paintings, go to my Website HERE. To view a wealth of OTHER Texas Artists, enjoy THIS site!

Fishing for the Big One

 

6 X 6 Ink on Index $25

Includes shipping in US

In going through my cowboy photos, I found one I would like to paint. Sketches first...then the canvas.

I have really enjoyed the square format, too, and as soon as the garden is finished, I hope to resume painting.

Acts 9:31

Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.

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Price: $25 USD
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 I accept checks and Paypal. I can also arrange LAYAWAY. To view my latest paintings on Daily Painters go HERE. To view larger paintings, go to my Website HERE. To view a wealth of OTHER Texas Artists, enjoy THIS site!

One Man Heifer - continuous line drawing - sort of

Blue ink on index card stock - $25 - includes shipping

image area 6 X 8 - would fit an 8 X 10 frame with 1" mat

I went to Dr. Bill's yearly calf working this morning and got some more great cowboy images. This is one of many. Most of the calves were 4 months old and pretty stout critters. This heifer was one of the smaller ones. 80% of the rest took 2 or more men to wrestle to the ground.

My favorite cowboy, young Coy Clower was on a new mount today.  I first met this young man 6 or more years ago when he was mounted on a little palomino pony. His feet were nearly dragging the ground on that pony at the last calf working I saw him at. I knew his daddy, Barry wouldn't put him on just any old horse either, but I had a feeling that if the right animal came along, I'd see Coy roping on something new. You can be sure that Coy and his paint will find their way into a painting or two. The whole Clower family makes their living working cattle - including Coy's big sister Courtney and her husband. Not only do I admire them for their work ethic, but I also am humbled by their faith in God. They are living proof that when you are doing what you love, doing it honestly, and thanking God for the ability to do it, all things are possible.
James 2:6
But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?
If you are interested in this painting, click here to send me an email. I accept checks and Paypal. I can also arrange LAYAWAY. To view my latest paintings on Daily Painters go HERE. To view larger paintings, go to my Website HERE. To view a wealth of OTHER Texas Artists, enjoy THIS site!

Bull Fight - continuous line drawing

5 X 10 image area ink on index $20

Two separate photos of bucking bulls - combined to make a fighting scenario. I think I'll paint it with a lot of hot colors....
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Proverbs 6:28
Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched?
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Cowboy Guitar Player - continuous line drawing

Image 5 X 8 ink on index $20

I have another image I want to use with this one - a young girl gazing lovingly up into his eyes....
So many ideas, so little time.
Genesis 6:8
But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.

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Arabian Mare - continuous line drawing

8 X 10 Continuous line drawing of Arabian mare
ink on index $20

Trying to keep in tune with drawing. This is another one of Tessa's mares - they supply me with endless images.
I have been celebrating the seeming re-awakening of the voting populace, although I fear the Left Coast and Nevada are doomed (sorry if you live there!) I am still stocking up on food supplies in anticipation of rising inflation. Gas has already started.
Our illustrious president thinks he can charm the rest of the world into continuing to support our spending habits - I think that ship has sailed and he forgot to buy a ticket.
Meantime, back at the ranch...we are planning a larger garden, possibly purchasing a milk cow (yep, I know how to milk a cow - and even make cheese and butter), and starting Dandy's training as a saddle horse. The chickens are doing well, the bees are winterized, the wood pile is huge and the kitties are learning how to hunt mice and other varmints. We are planning for the worse, praying for the best and will be thrilled if all this preparation is for naught.
Psalm 93:5
Your statutes, LORD, stand firm; holiness adorns your house for endless days.

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Roper - continuous line drawing

5 X 7 Blue ink on index $20
Includes shipping US

Some of the drawings I have done lately would work very well as paintings, and I get that suggestion regularly from my followers.
I have several canvases started, but my motivation right now is directed toward my future granddaughter (due in December), getting the winter garden planted, and starting Miss Dandy's training (Oh yeah, she's 2 1/2 now!). SO many interests and so little time...
Genesis 18:14
Is anything too hard for the LORD ? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son."

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Moo - continuous line drawing

blue ink on index 5 X 7 image area $20
SOLD

This has been a busy week. Since I completed the paintings for the Dutch Art November Show, I got a chance to start Merideth's baby quilt - or should I say Addison's baby quilt? As a result, I have not drawn or painted, and when I don't post for several days, I hear from my mother "Are you all right?" Yes, Mom - this drawing is a shout-out to you! I am all right!
I have been a quilter since I was first married when we had very little money for Christmas gifts. (Back then, many people still thought the notion of BORROWING for gifts was absurd). BUT I knew how to sew and had tons of scraps (mostly knits and polyesters, but stills scraps). I had no idea what I was doing, but somehow I made my mother-in-law a twin sized, all squares, very heavy and not-very-attractive-but-quite-warm quilt. The top was mostly synthetic fabrics; the batting was an old blanket; and the back was a twin sheet left over from my college dorm days. I put the quilting stitches "in the ditch" - one at a time. It cost me nothing to make and was the start of a very long learning curve about quilt making. I have since become pretty good at it and have even taught some continuing-ed classes in quilting.
When I am through with this little one, I will show you - alongside the very first one.
Proverbs 4:2
I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.

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Lost the Cow continuous line drawing

5 x 7 image area ink on index $20
includes shipping US
Went to my 40th High School reunion this weekend and it was surprisingly fun. No, I did not remember everyone, but those I DID remember, remembered me (or said they did) and seemed glad to see me. Now we return to life on the farm and getting ready for the grand baby...
One of the hens will NOT leave her nest box and evidently wants to set some eggs, so I am going to let her. I know it's late in the year for this, and I may regret it, but she is so darned determined to do it. I will save the largest eggs for a couple days and keep them at room temperature, mark them and place them all under the hen at the same time. And hopefully 21 days from then we'll have some chicks. Of course, I am also assuming that the rooster has been doing his job...I will "candle" the eggs a week into incubation to check for fertility....
Jeremiah 17:11
Like a partridge that hatches eggs it did not lay is the man who gains riches by unjust means. When his life is half gone, they will desert him, and in the end he will prove to be a fool.

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Lion Queen - continuous line drawing

8 X 4 1/2 Ink on Index $20 in US includes shipping
In an effort to step out of my box full of horses, I am drawing other critters. This image was shared by Pat Broeder - taken at a zoo somewhere. When lions rest, they REALLY are at rest. I read somewhere that they actually spend the largest percentage of their day doin' nothin'. Especially the males...but we won't go there...
Exodus 33:14
The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."

Alpaca 1 - continuous line drawing

Ink on index Image area 4 1/2 X 7 1/2 $20
Includes shipping and insurance in US

Neighbors Pam and Jeff raise Alpacas. If you get the chance to pet one, take it - it's like touching a cloud - softest fur I have ever experienced. And they come in the prettiest of earthtone colors!

I may just have to paint one today for fun...
Matthew 10:8
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

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White Cat Face - continuous line drawing

5 1/2 X 5 1/2 ink on index paper
FREE with purchase of any painting

OK - so I can't draw cats - I KNEW that going in, which is why I defined the square drawing area before starting the drawing lines. By doing that, it gives me hard reference points that can correspond to the photo.
I often draw grid lines on my canvas and corresponding lines on my reference photo to get the drawing correct. I don't care how good a painter you are - if the drawing is bad, the painting will be bad.
Psalm 16:6
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.
nodp

Object of His Affection

Blue Ink on Index paper $25 US
Image area 5 1/2 X 7

As you may recall, the great chicken massacre (now referred to as "Remember the Chicklamo") eliminated all the roosters and left us with 6 grieving widowed hens. My friend, Sandi, who shared the baby chick shipment with me last spring raised up with a half dozen roosters in her bunch of 26 (as I did) and offered to "share" a couple with me (I promised not to eat one or allow the coyotes to). We went and visited her coop this afternoon to select the new grooms and ended up bringing home the two I could catch the easiest. One is a speckled Sussex and the other (I suspect) is a Dark Cornish. Both are quite docile and not near as aggressive as our Barred Rock (who I like to imagine valiantly defended the girls before succumbing to coyote teeth).
Upon release in the coop, one of the Dark Cornish hens promptly flailed the Sussex with beak, wings and feet. Both roosters quickly retreated to the inside of the hen house, clucking worriedly. I guess that chickens have a pecking order (duh) much like horses and have to work it out when a new individual is introduced. Fortunately the hens don't have spurs on their legs for combat and the roosters' spurs haven't gotten very big yet. I don't foresee much blood letting, but then I don't know that much about chicken behavior yet - the learning curve is turning...
Proverbs 30:33
For as churning the milk produces butter, and as twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife.

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The Bug Patrol

Continuous Line Drawing $20 US SOLD
Ink on typing paper image size 6 X 9

The best part about my doing these drawing exercises is regaining confidence. I was in a painting slump for a while, forgetting that my first love was drawing. Returning to the basics is reinforcing - I DO know how to draw and compose.
This week I have started 2 new large paintings - and I am happy with both of them so far. The planets must be in alignment!
Psalm 71:5
For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth

Horse Head 2 - ContinuousLine Drawing

Horse Head Continuous Line drawing $20 U.S. Image size 8 X 9 on index paper

Yep - you noticed. I am drifting down a side road - and kinda enjoying it. I have always liked drawing, but I don't do enough of it. Don't worry. I am painting too. Just really enjoying drawing as well....
Now excuse me while I duck into the storm cellar. This part of Texas is experiencing some tornadic activity. Oh, wait. I forgot - I LIKE storms. Where's my lawn chair?
Acts 5:38
Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.

Horse Head 2 - ContinuousLine Drawing

About This Painting:
Check with artist for availability.
Some frames available reasonably priced.

Media: oil
Size: 9 in X 8 in (22.9 cm X 20.3 cm)
Price: $20 USD

How to Purchase:

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Price: $20 USD
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Horse Head Continuous Line Drawing

Continuous Line Drawing $20 U.S. SOLD
Ink on typing paper image size 7 X 7

Twenty-four hours of rain in this part of the wild west = 6.15". Our pond has been full to the top only 3 times in 10 years and today is number 4. I may have to go swimming just for commemoration and to express my thanks to the rain god!
1 Chronicles 16:34
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.