Cows in the Pasture

Looking back now, our cows were just part of the landscape. They were always there. Now, they are nowhere. The family farm is long gone for us as it is for most everyone I knew growing up.

The sight of cows in the fields on my many real estate drives to the country brings memories of home flooding back.

The smell of hay in the summer,

The cows in the fields,

The old tractor,

The old red barn.

My brother and cousin still bale the hay for their horses, but the old barn is long gone.

One tractor was sold at auction, another brother has the other one.

We still have bits and pieces of the old way of life, but not much.

My dad had an auction this week, and out came the old crocks that we used to make sauerkraut in. Those sold fast, every one of them.

He has pieces of the old barn somewhere in the shed. I am going to bring a piece of the old barn home with me.

As I watched Louise De Masi paint her cows in the paddock, I knew that’s what I wanted to paint next. In fact, I had been going through a box of old photographs that I found in Dads basement as we readied items for the auction. I found 2 photos of our cows from back in the day. Here is a link to Louise De Masi’s website from where I drew my inspiration and guidance: https://www.louisedemasi.com/

Progress photo and finished painting.

Sending love and gratitude to all the small farmers still out there.

Helen