Scratchboard Class/Demo

Hey folks, I'll be in Johnson City, TX tomorrow from 1-4 teaching a scratchboard class. Check it out and sign up (small fee) still have room for a few more. http://www.davinoanddavinci.com/




I'm also going to be at Jerry's Artarama in Austin, TX Friday from noon-3pm giving a demo of scratchboard for Ampersand Art. If you can't make the class, come to the demo. What's the difference you might say? The class on Thursday will be more intensive, and all will leave with a finished (or close to finished) piece. We will be focusing on one or two designs during the course of 3 hours.


The demo at Jerry's is a bit more hectic, as it is right in the store with people coming and going. You'll be able to try the product, but completing a drawing or getting my full attention is a bit harder. It's a good time to get an introduction to the medium, pick up a sample and ask questions. No matter what you do, try to come to one or both. Scratchboard is fun, and instantly gratifying. And unlike most instantly gratifying things, it's really good for you! Most everyone can do this, and I'm happy to share what I know!

Early Scratch work-Grasshopper

I was downloading a thumbdrive load of images from the home computer to my studio computer the other day and got a slideshow experience of 'This is your art life, Linda Sheets'! As it scrolled through everything I was amused, sometimes pleased, and often horrified at my work from the last 10 years. Wow, oh wowy has my technique changed and improved. I'm posting a grasshopper that was scratched out on scratch paper (I think Scratch-Art is the company that makes this) and glued on panel. If I remember right, this was around 3"x5" and mounted on a black 8"x10" inch panel. I believe it was around 8-9 years ago, and I think it was sold at a show (don't know which one, or to whom) It looks so strange without color on it. At that time I was terrified of using color. The only reason I started adding it is that a huge blotch appeared on a finished 16"x20" Ampersand Art scratchbord after I sprayed it. (Let that be a lesson to you, it was winter and I had a lot of hand lotion on and it soaked into the board. I always wear gloves now!)I had spent so much time on it and was determined to salvage it somehow so I painted some acrylic on it. The rest, as they say, is history. I hardly ever do just black and white boards anymore...and I don't use the paper scratchboard either. It's certainly an ok product for classrooms or experimenting with; it's just not an archival, acid free, professional product. That's the endorsement part of this post. I'm glad blogger is back up, I've been wanting to post for a few days. If anyone is reading this, drop me a line, let me know what you think...of anything. I also welcome new followers. I'm an Aries, we are known as natural leaders, so I naturally need people who will 'follow'. Later peeps!

Black Cat Scratchboard

Although I haven't been posting much lately, I have been busy making new art. This is one of the latest 5"x7" Ampersand Art scratchboards. Until now, I've resisted using cats as subject matter and here is why; Most dog owners look at my boards and if it resembles their dog in some way they buy it. Cat owners, on the other hand, want it to look exactly like their kitty, thus, my first attempts at cat scratches have gathered dust and went down to the bottom of the pile. I'll let you draw your own conclusions from that. I really like both cats and dogs so I don't discriminate. Due to a recent commission for a friend (3 different cats) I broke through my resistance, and in fact had a really good time making them. So here is one example, let me know what you think. This piece is available, framed, for $100.00. Currently it is in my studio here in Arkansas. If you want it, drop me a line and I'll ship it out to you pronto! I'm always happy to do commissions so send me photos and dollars folks!