News and snaps from my studio. Sometimes I write about new pieces that I’m working on that are not released yet. If I think of a tip or piece of advice that will help you look after your painting I’ll often share it here. If there’s something specific you want to find, there is a search box down below.
I’m delighted that Artist and Illustrators Magazine has chosen one of my Highland Cows to star on the cover of their March edition! And there is a double page spread inside too.
I’m looking for little shafts of sunlight at this time of year, just like we all are, and for me this does the trick!
The proud ‘Cover Girl Cow’ is Loch Venachar, a painting that I donated to a fundraising auction for the Ripple Retreat last year and which raised £1100 to help such a worthy cause/
Are you looking for a Highland Cow colourful canvas but not necessarily in the market for an original oil painting? Check out my online print store, where you will find lots of my cow prints
Read MoreGiant Highland Cow paintings for sale!
Dwarfing everyone else in the studio, its Cardross and Oban
Update* Cardross is now residing in beautiful Canada, and international shipping is available for these big girls. Im not saying its easy, but it’s available :) I offer overseas delivery at a subsidised rate so it’s worth checking out one of these big babies if you have a nice big wall.
Highland cow oil painting
A new girl-in-progress this week. She is nearly finished and will be joining some friends on the website by the end of the week. This little lady is I think 100 x 120 cm so actually rather a gentle giant!
This big lady gave my arms a really good workout yesterday, needless to say I used a big brush. I have to use an easel with ratchets to help me lift these heavy canvases high enough to work on. There is nothing as thrilling as painting this size, with the added advantage that you get your steps in. She is 120 x 150 cm
It has been a diffucult week or two and I havent been able to work as much as I would have liked, but yesterday I was back at work finding my mojo as I always do when I paint. These two gentle souls are part of a commissioned painting Im working on this week. Who could be glum with these two around? So I decided to take this photo entitled ‘Three windswept beasts!’
A new Highland Bull painting, a golden sweetheart against a bright twilight sky, really enjoyed this painting from a new perspective!
Colours inspired by Harris Tweed, this time its the orange plaid!
I'm having such a wonderful time with colour this week, on a selection of new paintings that are nearing completion. Using the beautiful colours of orange and maroon Harris Tweed as inspiration.
I am producing fewer really big Highland Cow original paintings for sale on my website. This is simple a practical decision for paintings which will need to be safely dtored until purchase.
However, if you would like to discuss a painting created just for you please get in touch, i can create pieces up to 150cm wide
I got such a good feeling using these glorious colours that I am going to keep doing it. Here is another feel-good Highland Cow piece in the most delicious colour palette. Sometimes I wake up in the morning and I feel the need, the need for pink!
Sometimes I like to go through my pile of unfinished canvases and turn them into something new. So this week I started these two young Highland Bulls in a similar palette of rust and stormy blue. The guy on the left is 50 x 60 cm and on the right 70 x 70 cm. Both of these will be available for sale when they are finished.
You can see how thick the paint is, on this piece. The first full layer took two weeks to properly dry, and this is another layer of bright oil paint - I like to use contrasts and hues to create the illusion of depth, and to make the entire surface of the canvas interesting to look at. This is a cow with a sweet countenance and a little attitude in her stance. Looking forward to getting her finished this week.
This was only the second art workshop to be held in the new space at Creative Melbourne Gallery. Upstairs above the main gallery floor there is a mezzanine that runs all the way around. This is a light-filled area ideal for painting in. We had a lovely day, everyone was very friendly and chatty with each other and it was a mixed-level group, with half beginners and half improvers. Everyone left with a beautiful and very colourful painting in their own style.
I have had some very nice feedback about the workshop and the venue, and hope to hold another one there in 2023.
“Such a fab day with lovely people and loved our Highland cow herd”
“Just a short note of thanks for a most enjoyable day.I felt that I learned so much. You really are an excellent teacher.Time went so quickly.
Nearly forgot the cake was delicious.
Thank you again.”
“Very enjoyable day, many thanks Sue”
Highland cows and flowers- what a combination
I have just rediscovered this collage I put together of my first four Wildflower Cow paintings. I just love the combination of the gentle cows and the tangled nature around them. See my latest available cow paintings here, or get in touch to commission a bespoke Cow Painting with Flowers
There are many places to buy cow paintings in the UK, both online and in physical stores. Some popular options include art galleries, open studios, online marketplaces like Etsy and Amazon, and speciality home decor stores like Wayfair and Dunelm. You can also try searching for local artists or visiting art fairs and markets in your area.
For those interested in Sue Gardner cow art, there are open-edition prints and homewares available for purchase at various boutiques and stores in the UK and internationally, through my licensing partners. Additionally, I offer a selection of prints for sale on my website. However, if you are looking for a truly unique piece, I offer original cow oil paintings. These one-of-a-kind paintings are not only a beautiful addition to any collection but also have the potential to appreciate in value over time. Check out my recent releases to see if any catch your eye.
I was so delighted to welcome three generations from a family to my Rainbow Cow painting course back in the Spring. Here are the beautiful cow canvases painted by the ladies who were daughter, mother and grandmother. None of them had picked up a paintbrush since school, and they all thoroughly enjoyed finding their creative talents once again. Painting is so therapeutic, and it’s available to everybody, you don’t need masses of equipment to start, and like any skill, the more you do it-the more skilful you become. It’s really quite addictive too!
A painting in progress, Cow with flowers
I am available to give demonstrations and workshops for art clubs and groups. Get in touch for detailsThis week I am getting ready to give a demo at a local art club. I like to take along some sample pieces, as well as painting one ‘live’ for the event.
A painting in progress
I was recently asked by a client, whether I could produce a print of my Pitternweem ( Highland Cow with Poppies) painting, in a larger size. It has taken me a couple of weeks, but I have now been able to add these to my new website
I have made two listings, as the different size options are available from separate printing labs. Speedy global shipping is available.
My family members delivering Loch Venachar to the retreat manager
Bill, at Ripple Retreat
After a long wait, my Ripple Retreat Donation, (a painting) arrived at the Ripple Retreat in Callander, Scotland. Mum and Mike, Auntie Barbara and Uncle Alan very kindly delivered my painting to Lynn at the Ripple Retreat. Later in the year, the piece will be auctioned at their Autumn Ball to raise funds for the retreat. The centre offers respite stays for children who are cancer patients and their families, on the banks of Loch Venacher. The Retreat is managed and funded by the Scottish charity ItsGoodtoGive. My family were given a guided tour of the beautiful building and grounds and were very impressed with everything they saw. Alan and Barbara live in Callander, so the painting was a welcome addition to a family road trip.
There is another rainbow Highland Cow at the Ripple Retreat - a permanent resident named Bill the Bull, created by Artfe Sculpture
Varnishing the Ripple Cow, prior to her journey, I love the way varnishing seems to enhance the colours.
When I began the painting, I decided to keep a record as I went along, so I took photos and an ill-fated attempt at video. I am a bit more composed on video these days but here are some of the out-takes from a year ago. You can see why, in the end, I just took photos!
A short clip showing work in progress on my Highland Cow painting with flowers. This piece uses all of the colours of the rainbow.
My newly available colourful wildflower cow piece ‘Glenclova’ who is surrounded by colours I could actually eat, they are so delicious. And a little goat poking out his tongue behind her back.
