The Year of the Ox

Today is Chinese new year, the year of the Ox, signifying a year of calm, strong, patient, hard work.

In preparation for today I wanted to paint you all a beautiful Ox and, on my quest to find one, I was introduced to this magnificent looking fellow.

His name is Beverley Vantage, he weighs 1.2 tonnes, was champion at the Royal Norfolk show and is, according to his owners at Beverley Pastures, the ‘Aston Martin’ of the Lincoln Red world.

I confess I was a little confused about what the exact definition of an Ox was, so when I discovered it is essentially a castrated male bovine, trained as a draft animal, it was a rather comic revelation because Beverly Vantage is anything but castrated.

Indeed, his main job in life is to mate with 20-30 cows, during a 6-12 week period twice a year. It is a role in which he is both diligent and enthusiastic, as wonderfully described by his owners:

‘The speed, persistence and enjoyment with which he sets about the task can only make you smile. He certainly thinks he is the cat's pyjamas and is happiest when surrounded by his harem of ladies’

So there we have it, whilst the year ahead may be hard working, may these labours prove fruitful! Happy Chinese New Year everyone!

For a more in depth look at how this digital painting evolved have a look at the time-lapse I have prepared below. Any questions do let me know in the comments below.