Ox Power

Artist: Linda Vonderschmidt-LaStella and Friends

Sponsor: A Friend of Hopewell Township

Design Statement

The concept that evolved was to paint a dramatic and elegant background of gently merging colors in organic fluid shapes, that would include grasses and wildflowers on the hooves and up the legs, and then include the words: “An ancient and rich history of service to humankind…” on one side.

Once I had that much of the idea set, I then I invited eight other women artists, professional artists all (with the exception of one student) but all with strong drawing skills, to join me by selecting one aspect in the ox’s “ancient and rich history of service to humankind” which I had researched, found source photos, and listed for them, requesting that they develop imagery appropriate to that concept that would become an approximately 8”x10” ‘vignette.’ Each woman artist was encouraged to use their own distinct artistic style and clearly sign their vignette. These were to be arranged over the entire body of the ox.

Our hope was to create something visually stunning as well as informative.

Ox Power was sold during the online auction for $2,500.

Stampede Ox Power by Linda Vonderschmidt LaStella and Friends
About the Artist

About the Artist

Linda Vonderschmidt-LaStella (claysongs.com) was the lead artist on OX POWER. Her work is primarily in sculptural tiles and ceramic murals.  A resident of Metuchen, NJ, Linda is a full-time ceramic artist working at Earthsongs Ceramic Studio since 1993. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from Neumann College in Aston, PA, and her MFA in Ceramics and Painting from The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC.  A recent major project is a two-part mural permanently installed in the dining area at the new Capital Health Hospital in Hopewell.


Eight additional women artists collaborated on “Ox Power”

  • Kim Adlerman (dannyandkim.com) / Metuchen, NJ – Uses of the ox in ancient Egypt
  • Allison Doatch (allisondoatch.com) / Edison, NJ – Oxen pulling covered wagons in the American West
  • Inbar Fried (student) / Israel – Oxen festively decorated in the Alps
  • Janice Fried (janicefried.com) / Metuchen, NJ – Uses of the ox in Asian countries
  • Thelma Fried (www.facebook.com/thelma.fried/photos) / Monroe Twp., NJ – The mythic and universal concept of the ox
  • Joy Kreves (joykreves.com) / Ewing, NJ – Oxen plowing
  • Lauren Rabinowicz (cartoongoddess.com) / Edison, NJ – Ox in hauling huge loads
  • Sandy Rosen Princeton, NJ – Use of the ox during the European Middle Ages