Back in 2015, my studio practice took a one-year exploratory detour into overpainted photographs of farm animals. We had recently relocated to the English countryside from Germany and I was captivated by rural living.
Initially, the farm animals grounded me to a new normal, and then the focus shifted to the animals themselves. They gaze at the viewer with undeniable presence and personality. My interest grew in acknowledging their existence as living beings, in the midst of large-scale farming.
The series of paintings born from this period, New Country, is no longer work that I actively pursue. The original paintings continue to be collected and I love to find ways to keep the series active, even if I'm not still painting.
Kelly M. O'Brien, Bossy Ones for CIWF Holiday 2017. ©2017
Which is why I'm thrilled to share that two pieces from New Country have been selected for Compassion in World Farming's 2017 Holiday Card boxed set. All proceeds from card sales go to support this UK-based non-profit that works effortlessly in service of farm animal welfare. There will also be an auction for one fine art print each of the two images that were selected for the cards.
There's still time to order cards for the holidays, but you should hurry - the first printing sold out weeks ago but the online shop has been restocked with more!
Kelly M. O'Brien, You're New Around Here, Aren't You? for CIWF Holiday 2017. ©2017
Learn more about CIWF's mission, purchase cards and spread the word about a good cause!