The inspiration for the design of the cow came from the sponsor's name-McLaren, and honours the Scottish farming families who cleared the land and drained the vast Piako swamps to create the thriving dairy industry we have today, known locally as 'Lockerbie' from the Morrin brothers' home in Scotland.
BONNIE MCCOW
2
Marion Laurence - Bonnie McCow
Artist
I have loved creating since a small child.
I trained as a Primary School teacher, specialising in English and Art. My strength lies in drawing, particularly detailed work, and I have done many commissioned black and white illustrations.
I have painted numerous large murals, a challenge I enjoy.
I am so pleased to have been asked to paint the cow sponsored by McLaren's Rural Services.
We decided to feature the McLaren tartan - blue and green with threads of red and gold.
This, however, posed a problem - how to do straight lines of tartan on a creature with no flat surface?
I drew on my skills in sewing patchwork, which requires precise imperial measurements, and worked within an inch and a half base. I made a ruler with flexible cardboard, and painstakingly drew the pattern formation.
I then placed quarter inch masking tape to define the part which was to be gold, and that formed the basic structure of the tartan design.
The finishing details were the Scottish Thistle and Celtic design for 'Bonnie'.
Working with 'Bonnie' took me around 250 hours.
McLarens Rural Services
Sponsor
McLarens Rural Services began life in Graham McLarens double garage in Snell Street in Morrinsville in 1980. They moved to their current site in Allen Street in 1985 and the business grew to include a chainsaw and mower sales and repair shop. Tony took over the day to day running of the business in 1995 and they now celebrate over 40 years in business.
McLarens are Milfos and Westfalia milking machine agents, and in 2002 joined the Stihl Group which is nationally recognised as selling the leading brands of outdoor power outdoor equipment
The focus has always been on delivering farmers, and all other customers top quality equipment and service that they can rely on. McLarens are experts in milking machinery, water systems and pumps, effluent and outdoor power sales and service.