Great Moosters Art Cow Collection Worth Over 6 Million
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British artist Caroline Shotton creates whimsical, cheeky pieces full of humor, with overtones of impressionism and surrealism of replica artworks with cows after the masters including Leonardo Da Vinci, Johannes Vermeer and Edvard Munch. Shotton’s moosterpiece series include The Moona Lisa, Cow with the Pearl Earring and The Moo.
The Moona Lisa / Photo Metro
The Londoner has sold more than 5,000 limited edition prints for as much as $1,200 US (£600) each. Based on those estimates her series titled The Great Moosters could command more than $6 Million US (£3million).
Caroline Shotton’s installation which also includes The Laughing Cowvalier, The Persistence of Moomery and The Smooch is currently on display at Castle Galleries in Birmingham’s Mailbox. Graduating from art college at 19, she started out painting for pubs and restaurants, but the unusual artist has now been signed up by the esteemed Washington Green Fine Art Publishers for her curious works.
The Moo / Photo Metro
Shotton said, “The collection transpired when I was watching a documentary about the Mona Lisa and it made me smile just thinking what the painting would look like if replaced with one of my cows. And then came the puns — The Moona Lisa, I couldn’t resist.”
“I imagine cows to be very much like children in the sense that they are cheeky, playful, mischievous and far more intelligent than we give them credit for.” she added.
The Persistence of Moomery / Photo Metro
Castle Galleries Manager Guy Jones said, “With a regular waiting list of fans pre-ordering her work, very often Caroline’s pictures don’t even make it on to the wall of the gallery. Given her huge and growing popularity we don’t expect them to stay in the gallery for long — as Caroline Shotton is proving a thoroughly modern master.’
The artist has no regrets that her life has been taken over by cows. “I can’t stop thinking about them but I love the reaction my work gets.” she said.
About Caroline Shotton
Caroline Shotton has lived on the outskirts of London within easy reach of galleries and open countryside which were a source of immense inspiration to her.
“As an only child I had the freedom to immerse myself in my work. I also received a great deal of encouragement and guidance from my Grandmother who raised me for which I am eternally grateful.”
Her early influences came from the old masters. She was fascinated by their realism which drove her strive for perfection throughout her education. Studying at Central Saint Martins opened her eyes to new ideas and techniques — captivated both by surrealism and impressionism her work now combines elements from these eras.
Cow with the Pearl Earring
Her inspiration can be diverse and can come from a scrap of paper saved from a furnishing magazine or the look of a cow in a field. She keeps busy sourcing images, taking photographs and scribbling down ideas in order to use at any time in the future.
“After college I worked as a freelance artist in the commercial sector, undertaking bespoke commissions from businesses throughout the country, from large abstracts to intricate murals.” says Shotton. “I enjoyed this as every project was different and I was often asked to produce styles and subject matter I would never have dreamt of had I been alone in my studio.”
“It has been lovely painting without a strict brief and my work has developed immeasurably, incorporating different aspects from my past commissions with the freedom to choose my own direction.”
The Laughing Cowvalier
“It may be a scrap of paper I’ve saved from a furnishing magazine or the disgruntled look cows give me as I pass them in the field that morning that inspires me to paint. I find myself constantly sourcing images, taking photographs and scribbling down ideas which I may use that day or in a year’s time.”
The Smooch
“I get inspiration when I least expect it, normally when I’m relaxing and not consciously thinking about painting. I wonder how I’d capture on canvas the way the light’s falling on my son’s hair or which techniques I’d use to recreate the decaying plasterwork on a disused shop front.”
Sources: Metro and Smart Gallery
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Why did you compare the picture of Mona Lisa to a cow there?In fairness to Mona Lisa, Is she looks like a cow?
Seth, it doesn’t appear that you’ve understood the story. The artist has been painting replicas of famous artworks using cows, and commanding fair sums of money for her artwork. She’s apprently very high in demand.
Shotton shows us how to have fun and still makes tons of money!
A good lesson for us not to take life too seriously, appreciate things from a lighter perspective.
Amazing isn’t it Betshopboy? Those that find an angle that no others have are the ones that typically succeed very well. Humor and whimsy also go a long way, providing it’s done with taste.
I think my favourite is the Pearl Earring…..
she has really captured that dreamy expression in the eyes
I wonder what she will come up with next Deborah…
perhaps a Degas Ballerina Cow
Hehe, when I posted this I was thinking of you and the Lady with the Pearl Earring
Haha, Degas ballerina cow, that’s a good one!
We sell Carolines’ cards and these images are in card format. I think some of them were painted some time ago. The interest they have sparked is quite astonishing (we weren’t expecting it!) so it is quite amazing that they have only just been released. She must have wished she did it sooner. They are great fun.
I bought an original (very cheaply!) of hers in 2003 in the local village as my small son thought it was great and named the cow after our cleaner (Lena)! She didnt mind though as he was only 3 at the time. Hopefully, he won’t name cows after ladies he knows when he’s older!
But because of this, we decided to stock her cards, and I am now very glad we did!
It actally doesn’t surprise me that Caroline has been receiving her fame and selling her prints so recently Amanda. I know all too well myself how difficult it is for artists to receive exposure, no matter how truly talented they are. Some resort to extreme works of art just to gain their initial publicity.
Haha, I’m sure your son will soon outgrow his terminoligies towards women’s names for cows. That’s great that her cards are doing so well for the both of you in your store
Nice photo))