San Antonio Cow Parade 2025

Painting “A Cow in Sheep’s Clothing” for the San Antonio Cow Parade 2025

by Everything

If you’ve ever wandered through downtown San Antonio and spotted a vibrantly painted cow wearing a pink argyle sweater and white tube socks, you’ve just encountered my contribution to the San Antonio Cow Parade 2025! As a Cow Parade artist, I’m thrilled to share the creative journey behind my sculpture, “A Cow in Sheep’s Clothing,” and offer a peek into the world of public art, community, and a little bit of Texas whimsy.

What is the San Antonio Cow Parade 2025?

The San Antonio Cow Parade 2025 is more than just an art exhibition; it’s a citywide celebration that brings together artists, local organizations, and the community to raise funds for charity through the magic of public art. Hosted in partnership with Christus Health, this year’s parade features dozens of life-sized fiberglass cows, each transformed by a different Cow Parade artist. These sculptures are displayed throughout San Antonio, creating a vibrant trail of creativity that inspires locals and visitors alike.

Becoming a Cow Parade Artist: My Unexpected Journey

I never thought I’d paint a cow for charity, but when the opportunity to participate in the San Antonio Cow Parade 2025 came up, I couldn’t resist. As an artist who loves blending playful storytelling with painterly technique, the challenge of turning a blank fiberglass cow into a work of art was both exciting and daunting.

Partnering with Christus Health, I set out to create something that would both delight parade-goers and speak to my own journey—moving from California to Texas, adapting to a new culture, and finding a sense of belonging through art.

The Inspiration: “A Cow in Sheep’s Clothing”

My cow sculpture features a whimsical twist: a Texas-inspired cow cozily wrapped in a hand-painted pink argyle sweater and classic white athletic tube socks. The design is a playful nod to Texan roots and the universal experience of adapting to new surroundings. The title, “A Cow in Sheep’s Clothing,” riffs on the classic idiom, but instead of deception, it’s about adaptation, identity, and self-expression. It’s a celebration of standing out, even when you’re trying to fit in.

Here’s the original artwork brief I submitted to the Cow Parade:

“A Cow in Sheep’s Clothing” is a whimsical yet introspective take on the tension between identity, belonging, and self-presentation. The image of a cow—a symbol of Texas—wrapped in a pink Fair Isle sweater and knit wool socks plays on the classic idiom of a wolf in sheep’s clothing, but with a twist. Rather than deception, this disguise speaks to adaptation, the desire to fit in, and the careful curation of how we present ourselves. The work explores the artist’s own journey moving from California to Texas–feeling like an outsider while paradoxically feeling more at home than ever before. While the move felt both foreign and strangely familiar, it forced an examination of self and personal presentation while navigating a new culture and world. The sheep’s wool, soft and inviting, represents warmth, comfort, and tradition, while the color of the sweater seemingly subverts the intention and disallows the cow to blend into the background. The cow itself suggests the challenge of blending in without losing one’s true self. This piece invites reflection on the masks we wear, the ways we assimilate, and the unexpected places where we find belonging.

The Creative Process: Step by Step

1. Sketching the Design

Every Cow Parade artist starts with a vision. For me, that meant sketching out the sweater’s argyle pattern, figuring out how to wrap it around the cow’s curves, and planning where the socks would sit. Working on a three-dimensional surface is always a challenge—especially with a subject as unique as a fiberglass cow!

One of the main obstacles was that I wanted the appearance that the sweater actually wrapped around the cow, rather than looking like a painting pasted over a cow. That meant figuring out where the sweater’s pattern would warp based on the stretch and positioning on the cow. I put on several of my patterned sweaters from my closet to try to translate that concept to the fiberglass cow.

2. Painting the Sweater

For the sweater, I relied on my favorite Liquitex acrylic paints:

I used painterly brushstrokes and creative color theory to mimic the look of soft wool and cozy fabric. Layering these colors helped create depth and vibrancy, making the cow’s “sweater” pop from every angle.

3. Adding Texture: Yarn and Resin

One of my favorite features of “A Cow in Sheep’s Clothing” is the real, tactile texture. The sweater’s collar and the athletic socks aren’t just painted—they’re actually knit with Red Heart Super Saver Yarn in White, then cast in 2-part Epoxy Resin for durability. This combination of materials brings a touch of realism and surprise, inviting viewers to look closer and maybe even reach out to touch. While visiting my cow at the North Star Mall, I was pleased to see several people reach out to pet the cow as they walked past.

4. Painting on 3D Surfaces

Painting a cow sculpture is nothing like working on canvas. Every curve and angle changes how the colors interact with light. Here are a few tips I learned along the way:

  • Use flexible, high-quality brushes that can get into crevices. Also, I always use long brushes when I paint to stay loose and to feel a nice weight in my hand, but I should have switched to short handle brushes when painting the underside of the cow so that the handle didn’t accidently bump against things as I painted.
  • Plan your design so that it flows naturally around the sculpture.
  • Don’t be afraid to improvise—sometimes the shape will inspire a new twist!

5. The Finishing Touches

Once the main design was complete, I sealed the entire sculpture with a protective layer of UV-resistant resin (as instructed by Cow Parade officials) to ensure it could withstand the Texas sun and the curious hands of Cow Parade fans.

A Cow in Sheep's Clothing at North Star Mall in San Antonio Texas as part of San Antonio Cow Parade 2025.

Why the Cow Parade Matters

The San Antonio Cow Parade 2025 isn’t just about art—it’s about community. Each Cow Parade artist brings their own perspective, transforming blank canvases into symbols of hope, humor, and local pride. The event raises funds for Christus Health and other important causes, making every painted cow a piece of a much bigger story.

Official San Antonio Cow Parade 2025 Artist blog badge

As a Cow Parade artist, I’m honored to contribute to this tradition and help make public art accessible to everyone. Seeing people stop, smile, and interact with my cow reminds me why I love what I do.

Watch the Process: My Studio Video

Curious to see how “A Cow in Sheep’s Clothing” came to life? Watch my full behind-the-scenes video here! In the video, you’ll find:

  • A step-by-step breakdown of my acrylic painting process
  • Tips for painting on unconventional canvases
  • Insights into my favorite materials and techniques
  • The story behind my inspiration and move to Texas

Whether you’re a fellow artist, a Cow Parade fan, or just love seeing unique public art come to life, this video is for you! I hope my process inspires you to experiment with your own creative projects and reminds you that it’s okay to stand out—even if you’re a cow in a pink sweater.

Supplies Used (Affiliate Links)

Supporting my art is easy—just check out the supplies I used for this project:

Purchasing through these links helps support my studio and keeps the creativity flowing!

Join the Parade!

If you’re in San Antonio, don’t miss the chance to experience the Cow Parade in person. And if you’re an aspiring Cow Parade artist, I hope my story encourages you to take the leap and share your creativity with your community. The San Antonio Cow Parade 2025 is proof that art can bring people together, spark conversations, and leave a lasting impact—one painted cow at a time.

The cows go up for auction beginning on September 25, 2025!

San Antonio Cow Parade 2025 at North Star Mall

Are you an artist interested in public art projects like the San Antonio Cow Parade 2025? What would your dream cow sculpture look like? Let me know in the comments below, or connect with me on Instagram for more behind-the-scenes art adventures!

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