I really should’ve thought of a better name for this dresser than the “second landscape dresser”. Well, I’m still working on getting those creative juices flowing. This happened after Lucketts last year as well. I was just totally drained and it took a while to fill that reservoir back up. It’s filling, though… Slowly filling.
Anyway, I faced my fear. The cows.
I almost chickened out and left them for Katie, who is an amazing artist, but I knew I needed to do it myself. It was a hurdle I needed to get over.
I had started them out as white cows, but realized that was going to be a bit more challenging and I liked the idea of adding some warmth with brown. (Really, I just wanted to avoid eyeballs and nostrils.)
Here is how I set up my palette…
I usually use top-notch, super-professional paper plates, but I’m fresh out, so I used a piece of mat board. Hey, whatever works! The glazing/flow medium is the white blob in the middle and the colors are around the edge. I did end up adding red after I took this picture. As much as I love my cool colors, I needed it for the cow body.
My head gets in the way a bit (sorry), but here is a video showing how I painted them…
You can see on the first cow, I was really struggling with it, but I just kept working the paint until I was happy with the highlights and shadows.
And here is how my palette looks after. I’m sure you can gather all sorts of insights into a person’s soul by the way they mix paint on a palette.
Anyway, here is how they turned out…
They are definitely folksy cows, but they are a small victory!
I also fixed the bushes in front of the tree and added a haystack for the cows to snack on.
The piece is distressed and now it’s ready for the finish. I’ll get to that tomorrow…
PS – Tickets are now available for the Sage Farm Antiques Autumn Spectacular in Rochester, New Hampshire, October 7 – 9, 2016. I will be there along with the hilarious Victoria Elizabeth Barnes and tons of antique goodies to shop. (Gosh, I really hope I don’t have to speak after her, because I will sound like a total stick-in-the-mud.)
I can’t wait to meet Victoria, see as many of you as can come, and enjoy New England in the fall. Maybe I’ll even find something irresistible that will fit in my suitcase…
25 Responses
My 4 year old daughter enjoyed this video, especially with the accompanying music. Very inspiring for this mom to want to try.
The cows are great! I love “folk” art. Too bad that stick figures aren’t popular, I’d rake in the dough! The background music is great…who is it?
Enjoy a grateful, peaceful, safe and fun Independence Day!
The cows are adorable!
I love cows. My husband and I raised them for years. One of the cutest things about cows is their hairdos. They are all different. I’m talking about that little top knot above their foreheads. Some are curly, some very straight and neat, some a complete mess. They are such sweet and curious animals and really not a bad bone in their bodies, altho sometimes they do find one that they exclude for everything. That lone cow has to wait til the others are done eating, usually stands alone in the pasture, etc. We could never figure out why they were like that, but I guess we all don’t like everyone. Your dresser is just darling.
I am a landscape painter myself, I can paint landscapes til the “cows” come home!! But people, animals? Forget about it! I have painted animals before, but it takes a bit for me too! Love your dresser……you have inspired me!
Just purchased my tickets!!
Your blog continues to inspire me and pushes me to try new things. I have been following your blog for a few years now and I have watched your blog grow and your business and talents expand and I very much admire you for it. Your blog not only inspires but teaches as well. I have been a ‘hobbiest’ for years and love to try new things but often get cold feet stepping out of my comfort zone. Reading your posts on new projects – learning new skills – pushing the envelope, so to speak, gives me the nudge I often need. I look forward to learning more from you – and one day I’m going to paint a landscape dresser – I love how yours have turned out!
Both you and Victoria at the same venue! Oh my!!! My two favourite bloggers in one spot. Don’t worry about being overshadowed by her, she is hilarious but all about GFT (Giant fancy things) and your style is more simple & subtle but equally classy and stylish. Don’t sell yourself short, you didn’t get where you are with your business being a stick in the mud.
Really wish I could go?
Wow, that is not far from me here in Maine. Maybe I can talk my SO into checking it out w/me.
and thank you for doing brown cows. –suz in ohio
Love them!! You did fantastic! I want to buy it since you started, lol. I would call it the barn dresser. Love barns and cows! Again, excellent job!!
So cute! Way to go facing down those fears ? I hope you’re still doing that New Hampshire get together in a couple of years. My hobby will be retired then, and that’s the first trip we want to take.
What a beautiful job you have done!!! I love how the cows turned out. They look perfect. I hope that you have a Happy Fourth of July!!!
The cows look moovelous! The whole dresser is so darn cute! Cant wait to see it finished. I can relate to Jo’s comment above. I used to have cows and one of them had straight rounded hair at her top knot-looked just like Moe from the 3 Stooges. 😀
My absolute favorite projects you have ever done are these two dressers! I would buy both of them!! Only problem, how to get them to Texas?. Please do more painted projects, you are so talented!
Those cute cows made me smile! They have personality for sure. Love ’em! So glad you did it.
it’s like they are discussing that haystack or something. Love their expressions.
Yes! I love their quizzical expressions!! “Is that hay fresh?? Is it for us???”
Your cows are sweet, have you ever done anything with horses?
So amazing!! I’ve started a landscape with an old barn. Think I’ll try my hand at cows. You’re an inspiration. Love the dresser, and the video was great!!
The cows are great! Their heads are turned in such an angle that, like Maaike said, they seem to be puzzled about the hay stack. Funny how they’ve taken on so much personality.
Well, you did a fine job and I can’t wait to see what you do with “the third landscape dresser.” I hope you do another sheep one. I loved the sheep on the first dresser.
If you do a really small dresser I might be able to afford to buy it! And to come to PA to pick it up!
Your blogs are so much fun to read with all their eye-candy and fabulous ideas! They are my favorite to read.
Please tell me what kind of paints you use…acrylics from the craft store?
Love it! The cows are adorable
I will be in New England just a few days prior… October 1 weekend. If you know of any flea mkts or fairs at that time. I so wish I could make the other one. Love your blog. Is there a calendar to find events like the one you mentioned? Btw, great job on the landscape. Everything looks to scale.
Such an adorable piece! You did an awesome job!