Dairy Steer - A Little History

The county I live in is known for fox hunting, horse breeding, polo, steeplechases, and international show horses of the Olympic caliber. But what a lot of people have lost in our local history is that our county, up until  1919 was one of the largest dairy producers in the state. We were known for our dairy cattle and milk.

"Steer in Pines"
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One of those older Family operated dairy farms is still in existence less than a mile from me. Their huge silage silos stand as a beacon, being the tallest buildings in the area dwarfed only by Dominion's power lines.

Even though I have lived in this county for  20 years,  I am still the outsider. Most of the people here still can trace their ancestry back before the civil war. They are progressive but traditional. Practical people who are down to earth and help each other and have known each other for generations.

They are not afraid to change with the times. The dairy farm, I sometimes drive by, that inspires some of my cow drawings does practice USDA required practices.They also take some of those baby bulls and raise them on grass. These are the dairy steers that I paint  and draw sometimes.

About the Drawing:
"Steer In Pines"
by Linda L Martin
Graphite on Paper
5 by 8.5 Inches
$65.00
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The Virginia Wild Flowers

Virginia Wild Flowers Series of Small Format Watercolors includes special horses, wild life and some wayward domestics.

"Karl"
4x6 inches
Watercolor

For the September wildflower series this year I decided to go back to my roots. These studies and small format works might actually bring me back to some serious paintings like those from my days on the mountain.

I (and my assistant and her little dog) traveled to The Phelps Wildlife Management Area.  I am so fortunate to have it so close by. Seriously, I would love to be out west close to the ranges of the wild horses. But here in Virginia this is right in my back yard ... well down the road about 5 min. And people ride their horses, fish, hunt and even walk their dogs there. Local photographers have  a wonderful time with the manged wild flowers that are nurtured to attract birds and wildlife.  Today's paintings is a sample of that little series. Most of which are on Etsy at my Every Day Art Shop at: LindaLMartinArtist.etsy.com And there are more to come.

"Karl"
A Tarpan horse here in Virginia
4x6 inches
Original Watercolor By Linda L Martin
$35.00

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For more questions you can email me directly at info@LLMartin.com