v i b r a n t c o w s
t h e f i n e s t c o w p a i n t i n g s e v e r.
t h e f i n e s t c o w p a i n t i n g s e v e r.
"painting cows has been an offer by nature to activate and utilize the greatness within establishing a deeper connection with basic goodness" - joseph magnano
The cows came into my life upon moving from San Francisco California to Waco Texas after being dismissed from San Francisco Art Institute (SFAI). In Waco, 2014, I was approached by a woman named Kem, inquiring to paint her cows. She saw my work and met me in person at a local art opening, Studio Gallery. I got to be in that local show because of my "Progress" painting that happened to be on television courtesy of the news station. I did not show the "Progress painting" at that show. I showed a couple cow paintings that I happened to have painted. The Progress painting was purchased by Stewart Kelly. The artwork lives at Kelly Realtors.
I accepted Kem's offer to paint her cows. Going to her farm to photograph cows as references for paintings would be the first time me meeting cows in my life. Which is kinda funny considering I was 35 at the time. I grew up and lived most of my life in city/urban environments. Country life was new. The encounter with the cows was overwhelmingly emotional. Filling my heart with warmth as their playful curiosity smothered me. I found their spirited presence healing, recognizing that this is exactly what I needed, to be artist. As crazy as it sounds, the cows asked if I would make them a focus, expressing that people would understand them. I said yes. The cows have been an offer to activate the greatness within, connecting with basic goodness. A necessity to mature, find discipline and focus in my art making. As well, peace. I had been arrested for the “TOMS Marfa” project, facing multiple felony charges and years in prison. A crossroads of sorts in my life, I chose the cows to continue in this art path.
That is how Vibrant Cows came to be. Vibrant Cow paintings facilitate stillness. They offer reflection, beckoning vulnerability as image and title speak; something I find valuable in this artwork.
From those days of 2014, up until now (2026) I have been showing Vibrant Cows throughout Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, California. Vibrant Cows do live all over the planet; near 750 of them. Ranchers and farmers have invited me out to their properties to let me take photos of their cows, where they share their stories with me. The Vibrant Cows have been in the best art fairs such as Cherry Creek (2019) and Main Street Fort Worth (2017).