40 Cows for Peace: bucolic artwork by Jo Ann O’Rear spired

LAKEVILLE — The Northwest Corner is often described as bucolic, with rolling pastures full of big-eyed cows.Lakeville artist Jo Ann O’Rear, inspired by those gentle beasts, has set out to capture their peaceful essence.The idea took hold of her in late April, when a few of O’Rear’s pieces were featured in an art show in New York City. “There were several cows in the show,” O’Rear explained, “and I noticed that the people looking at the cows had such peaceful smiles on their faces. I started thinking that there should be just a cow project, and then I started thinking, how many cows could I do?” Soon after the show in Chelsea, she decided on 40, giving birth to “40 Cows for Peace.”The work, which she plans to complete in October, will feature 40 painted and sketched cows inspired by the pastures of the Northwest Corner. “I drive around to different local farms and take pictures of cows,” O’Rear said, as she described her inspiration for each cow. “I look at pictures of cows, paintings, drawings, magazines. Even if they aren’t pictures of cows, I think about how that color or that design would look good on a cow.” She paused, laughed and then said, “Cows are in my mind every day.” For each painting sold, 50 percent of the proceeds will be donated to the Center for Peace though Culture in Great Barrington, Mass., and the Upper Housatonic Heritage Area, a nonprofit organization that operates within northwestern Connecticut and southern Massachusetts.The Center for Peace Through Culture promotes peace by encouraging the public to change their personal perception of peace, rather than just exploring the external definition. By forcing people to examine their own psychology and encouraging a new perception of peace in modern day culture, The Center for Peace Through Culture influences people to open gates of nonviolent communication. “It spoke to me on a personal level,” O’Rear said when explaining why she chose this charity. “For years I have been looking for a way to marry charity with my art, and the common denominator was peace.”In addition to the artwork, half a dozen local cattle farmers will attend the show and speak about the history of cows in the area. O’Rear said she hopes the inclusion of the farmers will act as even more of a bridge for art, culture, communication and community.While part of the show’s purpose is to raise awareness and funds for a good cause, O’Rear said her main goal is to use art to open the viewer’s mind and create a peaceful atmosphere. “I hope to get the viewers into a better state of mind and to try to effect change in people.”The project has even changed O’Rear herself, she said, putting her in a more peaceful and forgiving place as she paints her 40 cows over the next two months. “An unexpected goal,” O’Rear states about her experience preparing the final show, but one that she, nonetheless, is overjoyed to have had.

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