Scratchboard Art and Medical Bills

Just finished these two cute dogs for a friend of a friend.  They are 3"x5" Ampersand Art Scratchboards.  Sample size, not available for purchase in stores.  I use them when I do classes and demos.  So here's the deal folks...I make money making art (which in this economy is just as hard as you can imagine), also by teaching and demonstrating scratchboard techniques.  Recently I had my thyroid removed due to cancer.(like, 2 weeks ago)  I'm ok, we caught it early and I'll make a full recovery...but, in the meantime I can hardly raise my voice above a whisper.  Teaching right now is out of the question so I'm looking for some help raising some funds.  I have insurance, but as a self employed  artist in my 50's it's not so great, pretty basic.  Meaning, I am getting some hefty bills for tests that they won't cover.  I'm bracing myself for the overnight stay in the hospital bill.  Anyhow,  rather than just asking you for money I'd rather sell you art.  That's how I roll.  I've got $5.00 magnets and $10.00 2"x2" original pins at the Fayetteville Underground.  Message me and I'll post some images. I put the donate paypal button up so you can do either or both.  You just need to let me know what you want and I'll ship it out to you. I'm working on setting up an etsy shop, which will make it easier for all of us to see what's what, will post here when it's done.  I will also take commissions on pet portraits etc..   Plus, of course some of my larger pieces are available.  You can check out my website at http://www.blue-eyedponystudio.com/ to see if something grabs you.  Or look at Wally Workman Gallery Austin,TX, Kirchman Gallery Johnson City, TX or Fayetteville Underground Fayetteville, AR.  I'll be working the gallery at the Underground tomorrow from 12-3pm.  Stop on by and say hello.  I'll squeak out as many words as I can before I lose my voice...I only get so many conversations a day lately. It makes life interesting.
 Besides my art, while you're at the Underground, there are some really fine pieces by other artists on the walls in the 4 galleries. The show will change before 1st Thursday (July 7th) so come on down and check it out.  And then come back for the reception on Thursday the 7th from 5-8pm.

Scratchboard Works in Progress

Here's a studio view of some of the new scratchboard pieces I'm working on.  I'm in production like a wild factory trying to scratch out at least 10 new large (11"x14" to 24"x36") pieces for my solo show at the Fayetteville Underground in September.  Not enough time?  Maybe, but I'm sure game to try!  In fact it's helping me to develop a better approach to design and execution.  Used to be I would draw a small rough sketch from a photo or my imagination and then just freehand it on the board and go at it. There would be lots of unknowns, and I would develop and discover the design elements as I worked.  Now, I'm doing the sketch full size, refining it and then using the chalk on the back technique (rather than carbon paper), transferring it directly to the board.  Faster, better and I'm finding myself more intensely involved in the actual design from the beginning.  In the past the initial portion of the drawing was not as interesting to me.  Just a means to an end.  Now I feel totally passionate and engaged from the start.  And it's easier to have 2 or 3 or 4 pieces going at the same time, most importantly I can focus on each of them, going from one to the other seamlessly.  The boards are my favorite medium, Ampersand Art scratchboards. They will be framed with Illusion floater frames from Jerry's Artarama. Subjects are monkeys and dogs,  I'll probably throw in a few other animals, and maybe a surprise creature, we'll see, I'm sure I'll be surprised where this all goes!

My Review of Illusions Floater Frames

Originally submitted at Jerry's Artarama Art Supplies

Creating the floating canvas effect is simpler than ever! With Illusions, creating the floating canvas effect has never been easier! Back in the 1970's, artists tried to create this floating effect by placing black tape around the edges of their paintings but today you don't need tape! Ill...

Illusions Floater Frames

Love these frames for scratchboard!

By Blue-Eyed Pony from Fayetteville Arkansas on 6/24/2011

 

4out of 5

Pros: Versatile

Cons: Good bang for buck

Best Uses: Wall, Framing flat panels

Was this a gift?: No

I use these to frame flat panel scratchboards. The clips are screwed into frame and then glued with e6000 to the back of the board. They are perfect for my work. Only downside is you have to be careful, when dropped they ding pretty badly. Not wood, not sure what the composition is, but easily repaired.

(legalese)

Scratchboard Dog Kits Coming to a Store Near you Soon!

Well, here I go again...time to toot my horn a bit more! This is another one of the designs I licensed with Ampersand Art for a new series of Scratchbord Kits. This is 'Bertie Dog' and the kit contains a 5"x7" board, a tool, a pattern to trace and my instructions for making this yourself! Really, you can do this! This make great gifts to all ages, although kids under 13 or so should be supervised because the tool is sharp. They are not in the stores yet, but soon, darlin', soon! I can't wait to walk into a store and look at them on the shelf. I also hope to be doing a lot of workshops and classes at some of the stores to help folks discover how much fun this medium is.

I'll keep y'all posted here and on facebook for those, friend me or follow me here to stay informed.

The cool thing about these kits is; you can follow my instructions and pattern exactly and have great results, or, you can throw in your own ideas to the mix and get equally good results. Changes such as, adding color to the white of the dog...make it blue, green, yellow, what the heck! Instead of a crown you can pop a little red fez on top of the head. Or maybe have a big white bone shape floating up above! See what I mean? This is not your mother or father's 'paint by numbers' project. One of the things I love about these kits is they are a really affordable introduction to scratchboard, once you get hooked, the possibilities are endless!

I'm so excited about this I can hardly contain myself. Stay tuned...There will be 6 different designs available, Monkeys, Dogs and Still Life.

Linda Sheets: Linda Sheets: Scratchboard Monkeys In A Store Near...

Linda Sheets: Linda Sheets: Scratchboard Monkeys In A Store Near...: "Linda Sheets: Scratchboard Monkeys In A Store Near You and More!... : 'Here is some amazing, exciting news I've been sitting on for a bit to..."

3 Monkeys

This 18"x24" Ampersand Art scratchboard is on it's way to Wally Workman Gallery in Austin. They are having a group show in July and these '3 Monkeys In A Boat (Without A Paddle)' will be hanging there. I love this piece. Usually when I'm done with a board, I'm done....on to the next one. This one was so enjoyable every step of the way, it's a little hard to see it go. It's great when it happens that way. I hope the public looking at this reads and feels the joy. That's what it's all about for me. If I'm happy making art, I want you to be happy looking at it. I have my share of dark feelings and dark art, believe me. I could fill a couple of galleries with that. The point is though, I'd rather express the goodness. It's a glass half (or 3/4) full kind of view. Why not? Life is so freaking short and hard, might as well make it long and good too. It's odd, this piece is both comical and dark. Being on the rough water in a boat with no paddle, not a good situation. But, somehow it is also dear and amusing. This piece took more time than most of them do, I was scratching day and night. It's priced at $700.00 framed and ready to hang on your wall. I'm off to work in my studio at the Fayetteville Underground! Cheers!

Scratchboard in Johnson City Texas

Here are a few photos from the class/demo I taught in Johnson City Texas at davino and davinci. It was a great day. All were wonderful and fun. You should check out the classes they offer there. And while you are at it check out the gallery down the road. We used some of my design patterns to trace on the Ampersand Art scratchboard. It was pretty sweet to watch folks as they played with my designs and made them their own! I've got a great life.