“I was wondering if you could do a painting for the barn.” my mother said one day as we sat working on some family history projects at my dining room table.
“What are you thinking?” I asked.
“Well, Dad and I went to the Creamery Cafe for breakfast last week and they had the most comical painting of a cow right inside of the door. It was the kind of painting that makes you laugh because the cow’s face is right in your face.” she described.
The Story Behind the Painting
Four years ago, my parents moved onto the family farm which was homesteaded in 1884 by my great-great-great-grandparents. Since then, my parents have been working diligently to restore the old barn and granary, and in addition, turn them into museums that showcase family heirlooms and select excerpts from my great-grandfather’s memoirs.
My mother appreciates my great-grandfather’s story about how his family milked the cows.
From early summer until early fall, we never put the cows in the barn for milking, but sunshine or rain, we took a stool and milk pail and sat down by our cows, as we had our appointed cows to milk. Sometimes they would move a step or two away from us and we’d follow, only to have to follow again. We separated the milk at home in those days, each of us had our own part in chores and faithfully fulfilled our duties. We never expected reward and never received any. -Roy Falk
“I love that my grandpa’s family milked the cows in the pasture, and moved when the cows moved.” my mother commented.
“It just shows how they respected their animals.”
“And the fact that the family was happy to work together to make the farming go smoothly without expecting anything in return says a lot.” she added.
Bessie the Cow
“I’d like to surprise Dad with a painting of a cow for the barn.” Mom said. “We will hang it right inside the door in hopes that it will make people smile when they step into the barn.”
After noting some of the details my mother was looking for in the painting – including the addition of the family-farm hat – I went to work on painting a 24″ x 36″ painting of a cow on stretched watercolor canvas.
In just over a week “Bessie the Cow” was born. You can come face-to-face with her just inside of the door of the barn at Westfalcon Farm.
Thanks, Erin. We LOVE our “Bessie the Cow”! Dad & Mom
So very happy you love Bessie. I had a lot of fun painting her. I also like that I get to visit her when I visit the farm. 🙂
I love Bessie. She’s funny, tender and real. Beautiful work!
Thanks, Martha! Your kind words mean a lot.
Squeee she is awesome!!
That will definitely make people smile as they enter the barn!! 😀
I love that her nose is so pink, and that her cap says she is from Cambridge! I’m from Cambridge too (although it is a different one!!)
Thank you, Josy! Bessie was so much fun to paint. And, I love that you’re from Cambridge too! Great people must come from Cambridge. 😉
I love it–that cow is beautiful (and comical)!
Thank you, Rebecca – that’s exactly what I was going for! Your comments always mean a lot. 🙂
She is gorgeous. I see curiosity in her expression.
Thanks so much for your kind comment! I love that you see curiosity – this made me look at the painting in a different way, which I love.
Erin I love reading your blog, Bessie is the coolest!!!
I love that you enjoy my blog, and thank you so very much for continuing to read! Also, thank you for the wonderful compliment. 🙂
Bessie is cute. And now another layer is added to the family story.
You’re exactly right! I like your way of thinking. Thanks for your kind words, and for taking the time to comment!