"Not Just A Number" by Susie Cipolla transforms the often impersonal relationship between humans and dairy cows into a deeply personal portrait that demands recognition of the subject's individual dignity. Drawing from her father's experience as a dairyman and the understanding that "a cow is not just a number," Cipolla's dramatic composition emerges from a dark background to reveal the nuanced personality of her subject through masterful brushwork and sophisticated play of light across the animal's distinctive features.

About NOT JUST A Number by Susie Cipolla

This 2020 oil on board measures 30 by 24 inches, created in the artist's studio that overlooks her ninety-year-old farmhouse and horse corral in rural British Columbia. The painting represents a fascinating intersection in Cipolla's artistic journey - from winning a Dairyland coloring contest at age seven to discovering her true calling in 2009 when she took a transformative workshop with Canadian artist Brian Atyeo. After transitioning from a career in physiotherapy to pursue art professionally, Cipolla has established herself as a Senior Signature Member of the Federation of Canadian Artists, known for her evocative depictions of Pacific Northwest wildlife and rural life.

The piece showcases her mature style's hallmarks: confident brushwork, dramatic value contrasts, and an intimate understanding of her subjects. The stark black and white patterns of the Holstein cow are rendered with both technical precision and emotional resonance, while the thoughtful composition draws viewers into a direct connection with the animal's gaze. Living surrounded by towering mountains, flat farmland, and abundant wildlife, Cipolla creates work that speaks to both the specific character of individual creatures and the broader relationship between humans and the animals in their care.