Rachel The Jersey Cow
Hello, fabulous friends and art lovers!
I can't contain my excitement as I share my first commission of 2025, and let me tell you, it's hands-down one of the most fun and unique projects I've had the pleasure of working on. This commission came to me through a lovely couple, Eric and Kimberlee Henao, who live on a historic piece of property that was once the F&M Jersey Ranch. The F&M Jersey Milk Cow Ranch spanned 1,279 acres from 1938-1948. That land was redeveloped into residential lots and a golf course in the mid-1950s. Eric and Kimberlee’s home is located on the original land site and is situated across the street from Jersey Village High School. They initially reached out to a dear friend of mine, a talented artist, to inquire about painting a Jersey cow. As luck would have it, she didn’t feel comfortable taking on the project, so she kindly recommended that they contact me.
First and foremost, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the artists out there who support one another and create such a vibrant artist community. I cherish every referral I receive, and it warms my heart to see fellow artists uplifting each other.
Now, let’s dive into this fantastic tale of Rachel the Jersey cow! Eric and Kimberlee’s home has a rich and fascinating history, which they kindly shared with me through their stories and articles that pay tribute to its legacy. They had a large, painted, plywood Jersey cow on display in their front yard, delighting all who passed by. They even dressed her up for special occasions and holidays. However, as you can imagine, plywood doesn’t hold up well for very long against the Texas elements, and it eventually started to deteriorate. Eric and Kimberlee decided to invest in a fiberglass cow, but here’s the catch: the only fiberglass cow available was a black and white one. Jersey cows have that gorgeous honey, brown, cream, white, and black color palette that makes them so special. That’s where I came into the picture. I was tasked with transforming this already adorable black-and-white fiberglass cow into an authentic Jersey cow.
Eric and Kimberlee delivered Rachel to me at my Winter Street Studio to be transformed! As I began my journey with Rachel, I learned about the ranch’s original owners, Bessie Henry and her husband, Clark Wilcox Henry once owned many Jersey milk cows but Rachel was Bessie’s favorite. Over the years, Rachel the Jersey cow has become quite the celebrity in Houston and Jersey Village, even having a version of her making an appearance atop the historic Rice Hotel at one point in history. I dove deep into research to find the right paints that would ensure Rachel would withstand the harsh Texas climate. Then I got to work! Each day, walking into my studio and seeing her made me laugh. She’s just so darn cute!
Painting her was definitely a challenge. I found myself in some pretty awkward positions to capture all the intricate details and angles necessary to bring her to life, but with every twist, turn, and stretch, I could feel Rachel’s personality emerging. I’ve never painted a whole cow before, but one thing I do love is a creative challenge, and that she was. As I painted, I was reminded of the unique history behind this ranch and the original owners who had once cherished their beloved Jersey milk cows. It truly inspired me to channel that love into my work.
Once the painting was complete, it was time to prepare for Rachel’s grand debut. Eric, Kimberlee, and I collaborated closely with a skilled metalsmith to ensure that she would be securely anchored in her new home. The plan was for Rachel to live among Kimberlee’s beautiful wildflowers and pollinator gardens, where she could be seen by all who passed by, especially the local high school students across the street. I could already envision the delight on their faces as they spotted this lifelike Jersey cow, no doubt doing double takes and snapping selfies with her.
I'm delighted to share that Eric and Kimberlee were very happy with the end result. After snapping a few more photos, it was time for Rachel, the beloved Jersey milk cow, to go to her forever home. I was going to miss being greeted each day in my studio by Rachel; she had become like an adorable mascot! So many visitors to my studio enjoyed seeing Rachel, watching her progress, and learning the history behind this commission. But I knew she was destined for a beautiful life with Eric and Kimberlee among the wildflowers.
Oddly enough, on the day she left my studio, another collector visited with three antique Bavarian brass and leather cowbells that once belonged to his great-grandfather. It was such a delightful coincidence. Perhaps the universe was nudging me to paint more cows in the future! No doubt Rachel will be cherished in her new home among the wildflowers, visible to all. I felt a deep sense of fulfillment. Not only had I created a piece of art, but I had, in a small way, contributed to the legacy of the F&M Jersey Ranch, bringing a piece of history to life, so to speak. Rachel will no doubt capture the hearts of everyone who encounters her.
Thank you to my fellow artist, Holli Mae Thomas, for referring the Henaos to me, Artist and metalsmith, David Tong for multiple trips to my studio to brainstorm on how to fabricate the post to secure Rachel to the ground and thank you, Eric and Kimberlee, for trusting me with this special project and for allowing me to be part of Rachel's journey from a simple fiberglass figure to a vibrant piece of art.
It’s projects like these that remind me of the power of creativity and the joy of collaboration. I am grateful for the opportunity to blend art with history and to contribute to the rich tapestry of stories at F&M Jersey Ranch. This experience has also opened up a new chapter in my artistic journey, and who knows, perhaps there will be more cows in my future! As we step into 2025, let’s embrace the creative opportunities that come our way, celebrate the stories that connect us, and continue to uplift one another in this vibrant, artistic community.
