goat on a horse

There are days when I'm dragging equipment all over New England,  on a schedule dictated by the weather, when I wonder exactly why I decided to work on location. What was so boring about that convenient, light-and-temperature-controlled studio again?  But then I see something like this and I remember why I chose to deal with the inconvenient beauty of real life. The goat on the horse inspired me to gather up a few of my livestock images and the stories behind them.conner Who would expect the sweet Daryl Waters Conner, master groomer and manager at Yankee Clipper -yes, the one who names her little  dog "Flirt" and has been known to transform her from white to various holiday colors- to go home to a literal menagerie?  Before and after a long day with dogs and cats and their owners, she can be found doing barn chores involving her pony, goats, ducks, chickens, a rabbit and other assorted critters, with the help of at least 5 dogs.  When she goes into her kitchen and emerges about 30 seconds later with a freshly prepared, gourmet-level dish....well, she obviously has the balance of a goat.

conner goats

Notice what happens when puppies are replaced by goat kids for a portrait

Alfie Wakeman leads the annual sheepshearing day on Nash Island .This image was published as a double-page spread by Coastal Living magazine and used extensively by Swans Island Blankets.

 CVM/Romeldales photographed for Long Ridge Farm in Westmoreland, NH and The Green Mountain Spinnery in Putney, Vermont

The designs for the boys' hats and sweaters, as well as the story of the fleece, were featured in a book that I illustrated for The Green Mountain Spinnery and Countryman Press a few years ago called  99 Yarns and Counting. Isn't this what everyone does for a senior portrait?  Erin Rollins had her own Belted Galloway as part of a project at Aldermere Farm.

She chose a different photo for the yearbook!

Another senior portrait never seen in the yearbook but full of fond memories for Hope Kassen and her family

If you ever need to renew your sense of new beginnings, do your best to find an alpaca cria like this one

Watch for news from Yankee Clipper about portrait sessions for your dog or cat.  Livestock portraits are done at the farm!