cows of Texas – Melanie Stokes Art

melaniestokesart.com — Is The Grass Really Greener on the Other Side of the Fence?
16×20 oil

Usually, when I walk along the fence line of our property, the neighbor’s cows will turn their backs and move away from me. At first, one or two will leave, and then, the others will notice and begin a trot to move the entire group to safety in herd fashion.

On this day, they stayed, crowded together, and stared at the lady with the phone camera pointed toward them.

I liked the composition of their heads bunched together, the large interesting shape that they created standing in one dark mass, the “expressions” on their faces as they peered across the fence.

I imagined they were thinking (if cows think), “Is the grass really greener on the other side of the fence?” Is it?

Is that what we look like as we peer into the lives of others on social media? As we turn our backs to reality on our side of the fence? As we imagine “what ifs” and “wish I hads” until it becomes discontentment? Maybe so.

I snapped a few photos from which to paint, but it wasn’t long until the cows scattered and moved away. They bowed their heads toward the grass they already had and munched contently on the plenty.

Friends who know me know that with this move to Texas, I have become acquainted with cows for the first time. I paint cows because I watch them daily on our central Texas property. The sunlight on their hides create planes of color that interest me. They parade by several times a day, based on their whims of grazing. These “girls” have been together for about a year and seem to have a hierarchy of their own personalities. (Well, they do in my imaginative mind, anyway.)

The one with “the look,”is most easily spooked by us when we walk in the pasture. She is always the first one to pop her head up from grazing. She gives me that spooky look, like she doesn’t trust me, and it is a reciprocal feeling. I am spooked by getting too close to her. We call her “Spooky.”

We lease the land to a young man who has all the responsibility of the ownership of the six cows. We get the benefits of having them entertain us as we share their space… and step over their fertilizer. (!)

These paintings were an experiment in complementary colors. I began with Venetian Red and used Burnt Sienna and Black to create the various red shades. Ivory Black (or maybe some Mars Black, depending on which one I picked up) and Yellow Ochre gave the greens for the complementary background. Both Titanium and Warm White were used. And maybe you can spot a bit of Radiant Red (pink) in a few spots. All the mixing and smudging and wiping made it fun.

As I watch cows move slowly through each day, I wonder if they are bored. I wonder if they wish the boundaries would take them further. I wonder if they plan where they are going to sleep each night. I know. I wonder too much and need to get out more! But, that’s the Story Behind the Cow Paintings.

Tag: cows of Texas

Is the Grass Really Greener?

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