The "steel-belted bovines" of Craig County Miriam Young| Special to The Roanoke Times

Some designers in Craig County are using live animals in their work. Now, before animal rights activists get involved, let's recall that the Culture Vulture just got many of you to realize that the farmers around Southwest Virginia are artists, and darn fine ones, at that. So, what the heck is going on in Craig County?

I've never seen a purple cow...

That's true, I never have seen a purple cow ... yet. But unlike the Frank Gelett Burgess ditty, I have seen something rather odd in some select pastures of Craig County. Striped cows, for one, or as I like to call them, "steel-belted bovines."

Someone with a good eye designed this herd of cows, because every one of them is black with a large white stripe encircling its midsection. Some have wider white stripes than others (I wonder if they pick on each other based upon the width of their belted bellies, like so many humans do?).

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Granted, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that there is some animal husbandry going on here (as in selective breeding, not matrimonial fervor). Someone, somewhere, decided they liked a striped cow, and by gum, they wanted more of 'em. And that's just what they got. As far as I know, no animals were harmed in the making of these striped cows, and they regularly roam in a large, beautiful pasture. Cows and calves appear free to remain together. But this is one unexpected piece of design work, and once you've seen a striped cow, you won't soon forget it.

Not a one-trick pony

Interesting, you say, but, big whup? Well, that's not all the creative cowmakers of Craig County have brought forth. Drive around this bucolic area of the world (nice art, farmers!), and you will see some mighty fine cows with striking markings. Black cows with white faces, cows with positive/negative shapes that would make thought-provoking, abstract paintings, or a slick coffee table art book (hey, they published one showing country mailboxes).

Well-placed beauty marks are prized in our society (just ask Cindy Crawford), and scientists have discovered that symmetry of features and healthy skin is a universal turn-on to people from all over the world. So why not recognize the beauty of these artsy cows? Do they have to be show dogs to be appreciated? Someone went to some effort to make these cows look so good. Was it a more divine creator? In the case of the striped cows, it appears to be a local source. So, to the creators of the fabulous cows of Craig County, I say, "nice art!"

Next: Thrift store art

What happens to discarded art? Wait until the Culture Vulture unveils the unseemly side of the art world -- its amateur castoffs. See how even bad art can have sweet revenge in the hands of the right collector.

Miriam Young is a creative director living in color in Roanoke. Note: Some Web links provided may contain art featuring nudity, strong political content and bizarre visions. Parental guidance is suggested. Respect the copyrights of the owners when visiting online galleries and obtain artists' permission before downloading any images.