I have long been interested in the subject of the Cow, as icon, in my paintings and in this watercolor series, I am exploring a tableau of cows in motion from an emotional perspective. 

I recently came across the heartwarming story of a desperate Swiss dairy farmer’s cows, rescued from the slaughterhouse by caring neighbors. They raised enough money, through the Save the Cows foundation, to provide these sublime creatures with a carefree existence for the rest of their lives.

The raw emotion, of these unburdened animals is touchingly captured on video as they are released for the first time at their new home after a long winter of uncertainty. 

They emerge from the barn curiously at first and then seem to realize their amazing good fortune and respond with unbridled enthusiasm. They run and jump and kick up their heels, dancing joyfully through the fields. On a hill amidst the celebration a cow kneels down and buries her face in the grass, seemingly overcome with emotion. Several of her companions came running up to her to express their concern and she rises, steadies herself and giddily joins them in the parade.

I have chosen to use watercolor in these paintings for it’s unrestricted qualities that allow for spontaneity and speed. Those qualities combined with my loose, energetic drawing technique, enable me to express the frantic euphoria,  lust for life and loving camaraderie that I observed in these excited cows.

Also available are larger Iconic cow images in acrylic on canvas.