Rose Hewartson in her studio, dominated by the images of cows.
This year’s Australian Dairy Conference will feature an exhibition of art from an artist who once feared animals.
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The conference, to be held in Melbourne from February 12 to 14, will host eight to 10 acrylic paintings from Rose Hewartson’s collection of abstract cows.
Her pre-occupation with cows began when she was a photographer before she became an artist.
“I was driving around photographing cows and horses, just stopping beside the road, when I thought: I could paint cows. I started and decided: this is fun,” she said.
“I had suffered from a fear of animals for most of my life.
“About three years ago I thought I would address this through an equine therapy course. I could not get within metres of a horse.
“The six-week course helped me navigate that and I got used to horses.”
Somehow she was drawn to the other big animals she had photographed — cows.
“They have a kind of steadfast presence,” she said.
“I love their curiosity. I will walk up to a fence to photograph or draw them and they all come towards me. The fact that they feel safe. And the look in their eyes.”
Rose Hewartson is intrigued by her bovine subjects. A collection will be on display at this year's Austraiian Dairy Conference.
Sometimes she paints cows on commission and the owners say they can see expression and emotion in the eyes.
Her works will be exhibited at the conference, and it may be the first time that cows have been inside the Crown venue.
Just to make her life more interesting, the Brisbane-based artist, after experiencing some massive personal challenges, has become a creative arts therapist and life coach.
The pre conference tour will visit the Murray dairy region on Sunday, February 11 and Monday, February 12.
Delegates will visit dairy farms at Stanhope, Yalca, Wyuna and Macorna.
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