No, I didn’t literally run into a cow, but that’s kind of what has happened in a more intuitive sense. Read on…
As you are aware if you have been with me awhile, I have been wandering on my artful journey into some new areas that have become surprisingly important, including the horses at Solstice Ranch just down the road apiece. (see My Journey with the Horses, Part 1 and Part 2 ) Several months ago there was an unexpected bend in the road.
On a whim I asked another neighbor if I could come to their farm and draw their cows. During my first attempt, one cow insisted on stretching for the branch just beyond her reach. What a good idea, I thought. That’s what I need to do! …. stretch beyond what I was doing comfortably now with the horses. I found that with a different subject I tuned in rather quickly to the difference between cow anatomy and that of a horse: the line of a nose, the movement of a leg, 
the position of the eyes, the muscles of the neck…so much different from horse anatomy. The time with the horses had made me much more aware. That small step then led to drawing more cows, and then the horses out in the pasture and then a hen and her baby chicks, and then so much more.
All through “the year of horse” I was also developing yet another practice which has become equally important, a practice of writing for an hour every morning whatever comes to mind, from the ridiculous to the sublime. I have persisted with the practice every day with very few exceptions, and I don’t want to stop. It has become as important as the first cup of coffee. I now write words to describe what I see with my inner eye, the same way I use line to describe what my outer eye sees. Both lines flow through my heart.
The drawing and the writing have converged in the context of yet another practice. After the writing is done for the day, I take a walk down my country road and subjects seem to present themselves, inviting me 
to photograph for later interpretation, or even better to return with the proper equipment to mindfully draw
or paint them en plein air. One day, it may be an Angus cow, another day a chicken, or the mountains, and often the road itself. As a result, I now have a collection of these morning encounters: Perhaps the biggest personal discovery is that the horse was not the destination of this journey. Rather, , the horses have carried me to this point of new awareness. It’s a process and a meaningful one. It is prayer-full and heart-felt. When I am in this space, I know I am on holy ground. As of now, I am writing, walking, and doing watercolor or drawing every single day, with very few exceptions. My WWW practice. It has made a difference. Sharing them to my Facebook page with commentary has become part of that process as well.
I invite you to visit here to see and feel some of the images that have happened in this new phase. There are several brand new portfolios in my gallery, some older ones that have been removed, and others that have new additions. These portfolios better represent the art I am doing now:
Marie, Wow! You’ve turned self-disciplne into self-preservation, health, fitness, joy, optimism, encouragement, and outreach. On top of that you’ve shared not only your journey, but your talents in ways that touch my heart and soul and encourage me. Thank you! Wow! Ann
Thank you, Ann. While I was writing this morning , the ugly self-doubt stuff was going on. It’s risky to put “stuff” out there. But the bigger isk I think is not to do it. I appreciate your encouragement
very much!
Dear Marie
I really love reading your inner thoughts and it truly amazes me how you can take those beautiful thoughts and bring them out in your art. Thank you for allowing me to be able to come along with you on your incredible journey!!
Love You SWEET friend!
Pat
Pat, it is an honor and a blessing to walk with you.