As their popularity increased, M.E. looked for a means of manufacturing one of the most popular designs, the Golden Retriever, and connected with Toland Enterprises, Inc. At that time, doormats were just that...doormats. They did not have the decorative qualities of the ones on the market today. Due to its uniqueness, Ms. Bilisnansky-McMorrow's first mat was an instant success . A licensing contract with Toland ensued, during which time thousands of doormats, pillows, banners, and computer mousepads were sold not only nationally, but internationally as well. Her designs have appeared in countless catalogues and magazines, and she even appeared on Joan Rivers' "Can We Shop" TV show painting Ms. Rivers' beloved Yorkies, Spike and Veronica.

A lover of nature and animals since birth, M.E. continues to create designs of the subjects she loves the most, which at the moment includes cows. In addition to pursuing her current passion of icon writing under the tutelage of Father Richard Cannuli of Villanova University, she is also teaching calligraphy and painting at the university.

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STATEMENT FROM THE ARTIST

I began painting cows many years ago while spending a year in a rented barn in the countryside. It seemed natural to be working on subjects found around the barn. The series began with all kinds of barnyard creatures, but after a few months of portraits of animals I began to concentrate on the ones I enjoyed painting the most. The cows were at the top of the list.

Oftentimes I would go deep into the farm country of Lancaster, Pennsylvania and stop wherever I saw a herd grazing by the road. I began to sketch the individual cows and realized how different each one is from the rest of the group. Each cow has her own personality. I started photographing them, and have literally hundreds of photos now which I use for reference for my cow paintings.

My fascination grew with these noble beasts. Shortly after the time I began painting cow portraits, I began to eliminate red meat from my diet. It's been years since a burger has touched my lips. Somehow it seems like eating friends at this point!

At first my paintings were small in size. Canvasses were usually about 14 X 18 inches. They quickly grew in size as my interest in cows increased. I have to admit, I am the most comfortable when painting them almost life sized. Many of my canvasses exceed 45 inches.

I believe part of the appeal in these animals is that I found the females SO female and the males SO male! There was such a beautiful contrast between the two sexes, sweet and nurturing as opposed to powerful and strong. Oddly enough, I don't dwell on these differences in humans. In fact, with human company, I am more fascinated by the individual sexes when they have a strong balance of male AND female. But I do realize that in order to be happy, everything must be in a carefully nurtured balance in order to achieve a richness of life. Seeing the differences so obviously in the bovine world is my own way of visually showing the difference in males and females, yet in my companion portrait series the balance of both produces a powerful image.

Several years ago, I began the study of Byzantine iconography, which added yet another dimension to my life not only as a spiritual being, but also as an artist. Icons seemed to be the element that was lacking in my art and in my life. As my studies and number of icons written increased, I found my life reflecting that serenity which the art brought into my life. You may see by my website that I have worked in many different mediums over my lifetime. But nothing brought the inner peace and harmony that was brought by the icons.

While continuing weekly studies and work in iconography, I have continued photographing and painting the cows, which also bring me a tremendous amount of peace and joy. This summer I began a series about which I am most excited. These are the Gilded Cows, which can be found at the beginning of my painting pages of cows. (Click here to view them)

The new series combines some of the techniques of classical Byzantine iconography as far as the surface upon which I paint (wooden panels), the simplicity, and the gold leaf backgrounds. It has elevated their portraits to a more spiritual level, I think. And since the cow portraits are in a sense, my own journey into the make up of each one of us, it seemed natural that as the journey of life continues a higher level of spirituality is reached, or at the very least, should be sought.

I hope you will enjoy looking at my work. Its is exciting to me to work in my studio each day and see how the work evolves as I continue my own journey through life in pursuit of a higher level of spirituality and peace.