Missy Reitner-Cameron and Neal Breton have both painted a human body before. Breton would suggest avoiding the experience if given the option, while Reitner-Cameron excuses it with the always relevant, “It was college, man…stuff happened.”

For the last three months, the two spent about 40 hours together painting a different type of body, “Dia de los Moouertos”, the Chamber’s cow for the Cow Parade, which resides in Mission Plaza.

Cow Parade moved into the county last month with the placement of 101 fiberglass cows, all painted to order, in strategic locations throughout the community.

Breton and Reitner-Cameron, who took the cow from concept to completion, recently put down the brushes and spray cans, and took turns talking about words, men in tights, and their dreams for the cow.

What is your favorite word?
Neal Breton – Resilience. Close second: Obfuscation. Resilience is my mantra while living in SLO, obfuscation is just a cool way to say confusion.
Missy Reitner-Cameron. – Shenanigans or jerky

How do you relax?
M.R.C. – Movies on the couch at home…usually by act two I am passed out
N.B. – I don’t

What do you want to be when you grow up?
N.B. – A skeleton. OOH! Scratch that, a Vampire
M.R.C. – A painter and a speedway star

Who is your favorite fictional character?
M.R.C. – Aquaman…those tights and he isn’t scared of sharks…he is a true hero.
N.B. – It’s a tie between Henry Chinaski and Kilgore Trout.

Which talent would you most like to have?
N.B. – The ability to not be a jerk all the time. Missy is really talented in this regard.
M.R.C. – To play a musical instrument

What is the craziest thing you have ever painted (besides a cow)?
M.R.C. – A person…it was college, man…stuff happened. Oh and a toiletry bag for the fire chief…aka my barber.
N.B. – I painted on a live human being for an event at Native Lounge. Armpits are weird to paint. Try to avoid the experience if you can.

Every parent has dreams, what do you hope your cow achieves?
N.B. – Head Barista at Sally Loo’s Wholesome Cafe. It’s always been a dream of mine.
M.R.C. – Besides greatness, I hope she is happy being herself and never lets anyone tell her she isn’t enough.