There's a Storm Comin'

5 X 7 Oil on Canvas Board $115

Includes Shipping and Insurance in U.S.

I KNOW there's a storm coming and it's still largely undefined - just a darkness on the horizon. It's almost palpable and everyone's talking about it.
I know every generation feels scared and worried about the particulars of their decades on earth. My grandparents were born in the 1880's and 90's. They endured  the horror of World War I. Thirty-five MILLION people died in that one! My parents were Depression children, and they endured even MORE horrifying wars and the dark cloud of polio and other childhood diseases. Both of their families lost a child to a disease that is curable today. I cannot imagine the sadness of watching a child perish.
Today's generations feel as if we are all standing on the edge of a precipice with wolves nipping at our heels. People we elected, who we THOUGHT were trustworthy and intelligent enough to look after our interests are all proving to be the exact opposite, and we're beginning to feel that we are beyond the point of salvation.
EVERY generation has felt this way, and yet we still go to work, make plans for the future, decide to have more children and make our art. I have faith that everything that is happening today is all for the ultimate good and that this generation, like those before us, will survive the storm. It WOUILD be wise to get out your slicker, though, and perhaps plan for shelter....
Isaiah 25:4
You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat. For the breath of the ruthless is like a storm driving against a wall

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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!

Gated Community

5 X 7 Oil on canvas panel $115

SOLD to a Florida Collector

I know that gated communities, home owner's associations and the like have their place in this world. I just hope I never have to live in one....although, the thought of someone else making decisions for me, mowing my grass, caring for the trivialities of home ownership and just leaving me alone to paint at times sounds enticing.....
If you've lived in the country as long as I have, you've probably seen every kind of gate there is - and I HATE this kind...the floppy wire ones; made of barbed wire and cedar posts. Often they are made without benefit of an "H frame" so they aren't very sturdy - and I almost ALWAYS scratch myself on the barbed wire unhooking them and then again when I re-close 'em.
I took this photo at Tommy Houston's calf working LAST spring. The gate was more conventional, but the cowboy unhooking it was still having difficulties with it, so I gave him a gate that justified the effort. His chaps were a little too new, also, and the grass was green...a dead giveaway that the photo wasn't taken THIS year in Texas! I may just turn this one into a larger painting...
John 8:16
But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me.

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!

Aunt Abbey and the Other Brother Darryl

5 X 7 Ink on Index $25

Includes shipping in US

We moved Abbey and the calves to the "big" pasture yesterday...the barn provides better shelter and is wide open so I can quickly locate them. After checking out the perimeter, visiting with Ron's cows next door and warily watching the horses, they settled in to grazing. I even caught Aunt Abbey letting the other brother nurse without kicking at him. I think the "get acquainted" time is past and we are settling into acceptance. Now I need to get the milking parlor built!  
1 Timothy 1:15
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
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!

The Business End

6X6 Oil on Canvas Panel $125

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Could not wait to render the drawing of yesterday into a painting today. Abbey is a great model and endless source of imagery.
Today was a milking day. I don't do it every day - just when I NEED the milk. She manufactures about 2 gallons a day and I take about 2 quarts every other day for just drinking. If I'm expecting company or want to make cheese or butter, I'll milk her every day several days in a row.
The procedure is as follows: At dusk, which is about 7:30 p.m. right now, when I go out to close the chicken house down, I call up Abbey and the calves (she KNOWS her name!) All three go into the pen for feed and I entice Abbey back out with cubes and pen the calves up by themselves. She sleeps outside the pen. In the morning, I milk her first before the calves get to her, and I only take milk from 2 quarters, leaving the other 2 for the babies. This way, I can leave her for several days and not worry about getting her milked and since she is nursing 2 calves, her production stays high.
Jerseys are known for being good producers on just pasture - not needing a bunch of extra feed, and so far that is proving to be true. Her body fitness is looking good despite the lean pickings on drought stricken native grasses supplemented with just a little coastal hay and minimum grain. Yep, Aunt Abbey is making do with what she has, and in fact, is thriving!
Jeremiah 17:8
They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.

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Price: $125 USD
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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!

Working End of a Cow

6 X 6 Ink Pen on Index $25

Shipping included in U.S.

We lost one of the calves today...Well, we really didn't lose him...Abbey just left him across the creek where she likes to graze in the morning. She came back with Darryl Number One, but left Darryl Number Two. I figured that might happen with the little calf - at his age, about all they want to do is eat about 4 times a day and sleep the rest.  They really don't follow Momma around yet. So Mike and I had to go looking for him.
"Across the Creek" is really mostly native pecan trees, native grass that has survived the drought and briar patches - great for snakes, bunnies and coon hideouts. Mike has mowed a path through the worst of it with the DR, but it is still a challenge to find a calf that is dark in color and content to wait for a Momma that isn't looking for him. Fortunately he was hungry and up and bawling.
Since I had a pocket of cubes, Abbey followed us across the creek, slobbering on my back the whole way, looking for her "cookies". As soon as Darryl Number Two saw her, he trotted to her side, and I turned around and managed to stay in front of both of them all the way home.
The calves are BOTH locked up tonight...I expect it will be another couple weeks before I can quit searching for the little 'un.
Galatians 3:22
But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.
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'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!

Hang on Cowboy

5 X 7 Pen on Index $25

Includes shipping in U.S.

Living in Texas gives me the opportunity to acquire rodeo cowboy images fairly regularly. I like the "man taming beast" symbolism that bronc riding implies. The cowboy chose to ride the wild horse, but he did not just jump on without proper preparation. Cowboys are some of the best athletes I know and most take very good care of their tack - a broken cinch at this moment could spell disaster. Balance is a key - as is maintaining a low center of gravity on the horse. All of this comes together in a perfect 8 second ride - and hopefully no one gets hurt.
Jeremiah 11:10
They have returned to the sins of their ancestors, who refused to listen to my words. They have followed other gods to serve them. Both Israel and Judah have broken the covenant I made with their ancestors.
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!

Loss of Leadership - riderless horse oil painting

8X8 Oil on panel $125

Includes shipping and insurance in U.S.
SOLD to a collector in Queensland, Australia

One rein is broken; the other is trailing behind. I can't HELP but make an analogy to our current state of affairs. A horse loaded down with tack - but trailing reins, one broken - is in real trouble. He's hampered by the weight that he cannot remove himself, and since he's been cared for most of his life, finding food might become a problem, too. That rein he's dragging is a hazard, as well. Seems insignificant, but it could cause real problems. He COULD take care of himself without the shackles (taxes?).... See the analogy?
OK - off the soapbox. This is only a horse who lost his rider and now needs help finding his way home. But what about the rider???
Revelation 19:11
[ The Heavenly Warrior Defeats the Beast ] I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war.

This painting is sold, but I can paint YOU another! send me an email

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!

Abbey 4

5 X 7 Sharpie on Index paper $25

Includes Shipping

Aunt Abbey and I continue developing our relationship. Now that the weather has finally turned a bit cooler, she no longer needs the sprinkler turned on every afternoon. The flies are becoming an issue, though, especially during milking. She swishes her tail continually and I have become quite adept at dodging it. Fewer flies give her fewer excuses to nail me with it and we are working on that solution - hard to solve, though, without using dangerous chemicals, which kinda defeats the purpose of this whole endeavor...
I thought I would start having fun with a special of the week, and here it is: Buy any painting and get any unsold drawing of your choice FREE (including this one). This offer is good for one week (through next Friday). While supplies last...you know the drill!
Ecclesiastes 10:1
As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
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!

Life's Not Fair

6 x 8 oil on panel $100

Includes Shipping and Insurance in US

Life ISN'T fair - and when we were born, that promise was NOT made to us - that life would be fair.
Pretty people get better jobs and handsome ex-racehorses get to graze in the yard. Instead of being jealous of the racehorse, perhaps the donkey's time would be better spent looking for good grazing on HIS side of the fence...making the best of his own situation.
God doesn't promise us everything we want - he DOES promise us everything we NEED, if we only ask for it and thank him when we get it. So many of us don't know we already have it, though...
Numbers 23:19
God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?
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!

Adopt a Racehorse

5 X 7 Oil on panel $85

Includes shipping and insurance

I have a "racehorse reject" that I care for (Easy) and I found another one down the road - owned by a neighbor.
On my way back from Granbury the other day, I passed her house and noticed a handsome sorrel gelding grazing lose in her front yard. I quickly turned around and pulled into the driveway. Before I could turn the car off, though, she came out the front door with a big smile on her face.
Yes, she knew the horse was lose in her yard....he belonged to her. But as long as his best buddy, a little burro, was safely penned nearby, he wouldn't leave the yard. Instead he grazed contently on the irrigated grass while the donkey hung his head over the fence watching plaintively. (I just thought of a new painting....!) Unlike my Easy, who never won a race, this fellow actually made money for his former owner, but a bad knee, common in older race horses, ended his racing career and potentially his life. But my big hearted neighbor (who also has a pound puppy) is giving him a safe place to comfortably live out his life.
With the drought still having its grip on all of Texas and much of Louisiana and Oklahoma, horses are being hauled to Mexico and Canada for slaughter. I have already shared my opinion of this atrocity and why it is happening. I hope those who were instrumental in closing the US based horse slaughter houses are putting their money where their big mouths are and are adopting the thousands of starving and unwanted horses.
Genesis 42:19
If you are honest men, let one of your brothers stay here in prison, while the rest of you go and take grain back for your starving households.
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!

Simply a Roper

6 X 8 Oil on Panel $115

Includes shipping and Insurance

It's amazing what the eye sees and how it interprets paint. This little piece is composed of a minimum of brush strokes, and I opened just 5 tubes of paint. Yet your eye still thinks it sees all the detail.
I KNOW simple is better, yet I continue to complicate my life with more possessions and "labor saving" devices. I'm trying not to, though....I have come to really enjoy the simplest of tasks.
I have found that sweeping the tile floor in the living room is so much more enjoyable than loud vacuuming. Hand whisking egg whites is still noisy, but not as bad as the electric mixer. And leaning into the cow while I milk her has GOT to be more satisfying than hooking her up to a milking machine and flipping a switch.
Proverbs 31:17
She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
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!

Aunt Abbey the Black Jersey Cow - continuous line drawing

6 X 6 marker on index $25

Includes shipping in US

Aunt Abbey and I have reached an agreement. I feed her and she lets me milk her. Like horses, food is a great motivator. In addition, I keep the flies off of her, turn a sprinkler on in the afternoon near the tree she likes to relax under (it's so hot that she pants like a dog) and scratch her ears when I'm done milking.
It took three days to save up a couple gallons of milk (we have drunk some and I also have skimmed the cream off). Last night I inoculated it with yogurt and left it out at room temperature to start the cheese making process. Today I add rennet and heat it up to make it curdle. I have not decided if I am going to try to make a hard cheese (this requires a press) or a soft cheese (easier for a novice cheese maker). The critical part of the process is the heating temperature and timing. Just a variance of a few degrees changes the consistency and type of cheese made.
Did you know that the pasteurization of milk destroys the calcium content and many vitamins? I think that must be why the commercial milk label says "calcium and vitamin fortified" - all that has to be added BACK to milk after it's pasteurized. And even more additional calcium must be added if you use pasteurized milk to make cheese - there's not enough available to make the curds. Hmmmmm  This makes me believe that drinking raw milk will help prevent osteoporosis...a real threat in post-menopausal women.
If you are really, really curious about Raw Milk and why so many people are turning to it - CLICK HERE. My kids were fed raw milk when they were little and I am really enjoying returning to it - for a variety of reasons.
Ezekiel 34:3
You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock.
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!

Cheese Making a Success - so far

Thus far, the cheese making has been a success. I decided to make my first effort a soft cheese, similar to Feta - but without brining. I will add some herbs to it when it has cured a day.

Yesterday I started with Abbey's generous donation of 2 gallons of milk, cream removed. After warming the milk to room temperature, I added 1/2 cup of Greek yoghurt and left it to sit overnight. This morning I warmed the mixture carefully to 86 degrees over a pan of hot water and added 1/2 a rennet tablet dissolved in a tablespoon of water. I left it to sit on the counter.

After a couple hours, it had curdled and I cut the curds with a knife and left it to sit another hour.

Over a pan of hot water, I gradually raised the temperature to 96 degrees, taking a hour to do it. Stirring occasionally, the curds firmed up.

I strained off the whey in a collander and dumped the whole pile into a cheese cloth, tied it up and hung it by the sink to drain further.

Tomorrow I will add salt and garlic to half of it and leave the rest plain.

The left over whey is not going to waste...I am now carefully raising its temperature to nearly boiling and the resulting tiny curds that form now is Ricotta Cheese. Very flavorful.