"Ballantine" Original Highland Cow Oil Painting 40 x 30"/80 x 100 cm

Ballantine
Original Rainbow Highland Cow Oil Painting
100 x 80 cm

Ballantine is part of my ongoing series of expressive, colourful Highland cows, a body of work that I began many years ago and have continued to refine into the recognisable style that collectors now know me for. This approach has inspired many others, which I take as a compliment, but these pieces remain the true originals. They are rooted in the way I see these animals, not as farm stock but as sentient individuals with their own quiet dignity, family bonds and friendships.

When I paint a Highland cow, I am trying to show the inner life that sits behind those gentle eyes. Each mark of colour is placed to express personality, emotion and presence. Ballantine holds that calm strength that I associate with these animals, a mix of curiosity, softness and wisdom. The rich rainbow palette is not just decorative; it reflects the depth and richness I believe they carry within them.

This painting brings all of that together. It is vibrant, contemporary and full of life, yet it also has a quiet emotional pull. Ballantine is created to make people feel a connection and to honour the individuality of these beautiful animals.