In the beginning . . .

How did it begin? The original Foster Mothers image did not begin as a preconceived piece. It began with a quote and the first step was taken when James Baird, former Hoard's Dairyman Art Director, and fellow Hoard's Dairyman employee and Associate Editor, Gene Meyer, attended the National Dairy Cattle Congress show at Waterloo, Iowa.

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The man who started it all

After foregoing his final years of college to join the staff at Hoard's Dairyman, James Baird, former magazine Art Director, created one of the most recognizable dairy paintings of our time. Join us in this first in a series of interviews with the man who started it all.

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Coloring the Image

Bonnie has completed the underpainting, and has progressed into using several colors in the painting. Listen as she talks about a challenging breed to paint.

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Making the Imperfect Perfect!

The Foster Mothers of the Human Race painting is progressing well. As an artist works their craft, they aim for perfection. So, in the process of creating a painting, where does the artist make alterations or changes to better reflect the desired look? Maybe it is the placement of an item, the position of a head or leg, or the expression on a face. Bonnie shares with you the steps she takes in painting and addresses when she prefers to make alterations to the image.

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It feels like the size of this room!

Bonnie continues with the painting of the Foster Mothers of the Human Race. Listen to some of the challenges she is encountering as she paints this special image.

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Holstein Head Underpainting

The Holstein Head is Taking Shape
Earlier this week, Bonnie visited with us about creating the underpainting for the Foster Mothers of the Human Race painting. Here is a look at the initial sketch of the Holstein head and the underpainting of the Holstein head. Continue to look for updates to this blog on Tuesdays, with some occasional bonus Friday footage as well!

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