How Now Brown Cow; Photos
Mountain Landscape with Cattle by William Keith. Oil on canvas. 30 x 50 in. More Huntington on this blog.
The great naturalist John Muir called William Keith a “poet-painter,” referring to the lyrical quality in Keith’s art. The idea for the Sierra Club was first formed in Keith’s studio during conversations with Muir, Dr. Joseph LeConte, the first president of the University of California, and Warren Olney, a prominent San Francisco attorney.
In 1891, he shared his studio for several weeks with East Coast Tonalist George Inness, Sr. [1825-1894]. Both men painted in a similar style and were followers of the mystical teachings of Swedenborg. The Swedenborgian Church of San Francisco: Described as one of California’s earliest pure Arts and Crafts buildings, this complex represents a unique collaboration of many influential architects and craftspeople.
Among the locations where Inness and Keith painted together were Monterey and Yosemite, and it was reported they discussed art from every possible angle. Under Inness’ influence, Keith painted more than ever in a Barbizon-influenced vein with many sunset and twilight scenes. More barbizon artists on this blog.
(detail of cow stare) Mountain Landscape with Cattle
Cow I captured staring while speeding 80 mph down Highway 5; I am rather pleased with this shot – what are the odds that it would be looking at the highway.
Whether lying in a straw-filled stable or lazily grazing in a grassy meadow, the many images of cows captured the rural lifestyle and conjured up a simpler time when man was more tied to the land — a subject that was popular at the time when modernity was sometimes viewed as a threat. This “cow craze” made the market for cow paintings very profitable and the images most fashionable — even for turn-of-the-century parlors.
Cows dotting the horizon near Gilroy. It reminds me of those Happy California Cow Commercials. Vote for your favorite today.
Sagebrush lined highway near Point Reye. I like the lush golden colors, hills in the distance, ocean beyond those.
My mother, from Missouri, used to say “That’s money you’re smelling” when passing large commercial cattle lots. (aka cash cow)
In the hills near Gilroy. Agenda of cow: meander to tree in the morning, picnic and a nap, meander back home at night.
I’ve been pulled into the Farmville craze. Have you?
Milk (Regular Cow), 1 day, 6 coins
Strawberry Milk (Pink Cow) 1 day, 12 coins
Chocolate Milk (Brown Cow) 1 day, 18 coins
Milkonium (Bovine-09) 1 day, 18 coins
(Sick of Farmville Cows on Facebook)
I love that natural painting of the landscape and the cows by William Keith. That is an absolutetly amazing piece! I also like what you have focused on through the captures of the cows in these photographs. They make great paintings and I love your backdrops of where you have passed through. Beautiful setting.
I’m probably one of the few that play games on Facebook, so I shan’t join in you in a game. I will be more than happy to be your FB neighbouring buddy though!
A continuation of a very happy Art Every Day Month.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Hahahaha, the Farmville craze, no all my friends are doing it but I stopped playing games on Facebook, I don’t have the time!!!
Love your comparison of the painting to your photos! very cool!!!
xoxo,
ja
my blog http://julieannshahin.blogspot.com
aedm
Such an interesting post and I enjoyed both the paintings and your photographs.
I thought it funny what your mother said. My mother had a different saying. Back when people didn’t water as much and grass was brown all over town in the summer (even before the water restrictions we have now during droughts), we had one neighbor who always had green grass. This neighbor’s house was behind ours and quite large with a huge green lawn. My mother used to say, that’s money growing over there. Alluding to the fortune they put into watering.
On another topic you mentioned enjoying the antique road show. I went to that this summer when they came to my town. It was fun.
I love George Innes, there is such tenderness in his work.
You captured some fabulous cow images, especially speeding down the road. The CA Happy Cows are very cool…AND I have been hearing about this facebook farm phenomenon….have you pulled your weeds today?
x..x
Hi Julie; thanks for stopping by. i tried to comment on your blog a couple times but it hangs up and then my browser quits. Perhaps the slide show of youtubes… something animated. Anyway: favorite christmas movie: the original christmas carol. Will try to comment on you blog again soon.