A cow patterned coat we all might recognize.
I continued my exploration of altering and reenvisioning animal prints and patterns this past week by considering the cow. The cow print is a friendlier, less threatening, less exotic animal pattern. Cows simultaneously hold wholesome (family farm), villainous (deforestation, climate, health), and even sacred reputations. This variability in how bovines are viewed is intriguing. The term “sacred cow” is equally intriguing. Rising from the Hindu veneration of the animal, it’s usage refers to something unreasonably immune to criticism or opposition. Finding that cows are also held as a symbol of Mother Earth inspired this piece as a “sacred cow” I could agree with.
![Gaia - Sacred Cow sculpture, needle felted wool over wire and batting armature with globe patterning](http://wartskisculpture.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/gaia-1-1024x819.jpg)
She is inspired by the ancient Greek godess, Gaia, who is the personification of Earth. I replaced the classic black and white patterning of her hide with the blue and green of the globe. Gaia is my first cow figure sculpture, but she may inspire more.
Gaia is needle felted wool, over a wire and quilt batting armature form, with iridecent glass bead eyes. Her horns are felted wool over a pipe cleaner support. The sculpture’s coat was created “coloring book” style. I marked her globe pattern by hand using outlines printed and cut from a simple world map. I then needle felted the green and blue areas with my colored wool. You supplied positive feedback from previous posts where I included process information and images like those below. I will try to remind myself to keep sharing photos and descriptions like these. It also aids viewers in understanding the creation time involved in each piece.
![Gaia - Sacred Cow sculpture, needle felted wool over wire and batting armature with globe patterning - marking map outline](https://i2.wp.com/wartskisculpture.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/gaia-proc1-683x1024.jpg)
![Gaia - Sacred Cow sculpture, needle felted wool over wire and batting armature with globe patterning - felting map detail](https://i0.wp.com/wartskisculpture.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/gaia-proc2-683x1024.jpg)
![Gaia - Sacred Cow sculpture, needle felted wool over wire and batting armature with globe patterning - felting map detail](https://i0.wp.com/wartskisculpture.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/gaia-proc3-683x1024.jpg)
Though she was quite time consuming, I am happy with the results.
![Gaia - Sacred Cow sculpture, needle felted wool over wire and batting armature with globe patterning - close up of sotth pacific](https://i0.wp.com/wartskisculpture.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/gaia-close-1024x819.jpg)
![back view of Gaia - Sacred Cow sculpture, needle felted wool over wire and batting armature with globe patterning](https://i2.wp.com/wartskisculpture.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/gaia-back-683x1024.jpg)
Gaia will most likely make her gallery debut this summer for my feature show at HGA. Stay tuned for further information.