A Painting Day: Rodeo Queens

This was quite a painting day. The paint that comes off my brushes is usually very quiet, subdued and peaceful but today that all changed. The wild red just seemed right so I went with it. I have been wanting to paint these two cows for a long time. I had good memories of where I saw them and I decided they needed painting.

While taking in a livestock auction in Manteca, California I was looking for Texas Longhorn cattle and I was walking down one of the shoots taking photos along the way of cows in the different pens. Next thing I know a whole herd of cows were headed my way down the shoot I was in taking photos. The cows were coming fast and the gate was down the way so over the metal fence I went, just in time to catch these two ladies leading the herd. Auction day in Manteca made for, "A Painting Day".

"Rodeo Queens"-6x6-inches, oil/canvas by Ruth Andre
Available at the Clymers Art Museum - Holiday Miniature Art Exhibit
Dates: 11/5/2010 - 1/2/2011
Phone: 309/962-4616

www.ruthandre.com
andre@ruthandre.com
Commissions Welcome

10 comments:

Theresa Paden said...: I love the red background, Ruth! The red, orange, and yellow highlights in the hair are wonderful, too.; October 9, 2010 at 1:08 AM
Karen Bruson said...: Love the red background. It outlines the cows so nicely, yet it doesn't compete. It must be just the right value and intensity.; October 9, 2010 at 11:34 AM
Claudia Hammer a Painting a day said...: This one is something different and a break from your austere paintings. I like it! The red reinforces the images of the cows. Good job!; October 9, 2010 at 7:10 PM
Carol DeMumbrum said...: I just found your blog. I love your work! Wonderful background color on this.; October 10, 2010 at 6:30 AM
Unknown said...: The red just sets the entire painting. Wonderful.; October 10, 2010 at 1:56 PM
Dana Cooper said...: Love the red in this Ruth...and wow, that is quite a story...yikes!; October 10, 2010 at 7:08 PM
Kelley Carey MacDonald said...: Ruth, every day I look forward to what you've prepared for us.; October 11, 2010 at 5:33 AM
Becky Joy said...: I really like the red. Certainly gives it some punch.; October 11, 2010 at 7:07 AM
Stephen Parker said...: Hi, Ruth. Yes, the red background was a wonderful decision. It does a great job of accentuating the milder reds present in the animals coats. The way you handled it has a wonderful impact on the piece.; October 11, 2010 at 12:22 PM
hmuxo said...: Great job on this painting, Ruth.
Love the way you painted the fur and the color in the background brings out the color in the cows.; October 11, 2010 at 7:15 PM