“For the Love of Cows” Collages by Suzanne Ashley, Photographs by Linda T Hubbard and Paintings by Caroline Clowes (1838 – 1904) : Artist Talk @ The Sherman Library

“For the Love of Cows” Collages by Suzanne Ashley, Photographs by Linda T Hubbard and Paintings by Caroline Clowes (1838 – 1904) : Artist Talk @ The Sherman Library


Artist Talk – Friday November 14, 2025, 7pm


October 10 – November 19, 2025


The Sherman Library is hosting an artist talk: “For the Love of Cows” about the three women artists who used their art to celebrate these magnificent animals and their messages of peace and tranquility. Come listen to Suzanne Ashley and Linda Hubbard talk about their love of cows and their art. Learn about the third artist - Caroline Clowes (1838 – 1904) who painted cows in the Hudson River School Style. Together these artists depict the many types of cows, their attitudes, beauty and their messages. The artist talk will be held on Friday November 14, 7pm. The show will be on display at the Sherman Library from October 10 – November 19, 2025 both at the Library and on their website: www.ShermanLibrary.org.


Suzanne Ashley fell in love with cows a few years ago at her god daughter’s wedding. The love of these animals blossomed to the extent of her changing from her normal medium of pastels to that of a looser collage medium and sayings. “Collaging with cows provided me with a way to give voice to my deep concern regarding the future of the earth and all living things.” says Ashley. “Cows are aware of much more than they first let on. Initially, they summon you with their gentle loving eyes and soulful faces and then later with their fun-sharing spirit and fondness for music.”


Linda Hubbard has always photographed nature, birds and animals. No matter where she travels, there is a camera in her hand so she has cow pictures from all over the world. To her, cows are different from birds and other animals. If you talk to cows they pick up their heads and look at you. It is almost as if they are listening and thinking about what you are saying. There is also something very soothing about their resilience and calm demeanor.


The third artist is one of Hubbard’s distant relatives Caroline Clowes (1838-1904). Clowes grew up in the Hart/Hubbard home of her uncle Benjamin Hart called Heartsease in Poughkeepsie, NY. An historical marker was recently erected in front of this home where her artist studio still stands. Clowes achieved an international reputation during the


nineteenth century with her charming scenes of everyday farm life including cows. The talk will include the difficulty being a woman artist during the 1800’s and how her paintings of cows helped Clowes establish herself as one of the first professional female artists in the Hudson Valley.


For more information about this show and the Sherman Library, visit: www.shermanlibrary.org.