2 Monkeys Gathering Eggs

I've been working on a 18"x24" Ampersand Art scratchboard this week.  The images above show before and after.  I based this on a 5"x7" piece I did several years ago.  I do that a lot, make a small piece as a 'study' and then later do a larger version.  Of course I made some modifications so I wasn't just doing an exact copy.  I'm liking this a lot.  It will be finished, sprayed with Krylon Workable fixatif and then framed in an Illusions floater frame.  It's going into my show at the Fayetteville Underground in September.  The Ampersand scratchboard kits I designed should be shipped and into stores (Hobby Lobby) sometime in August.  I am thrilled.  What a year this has been.  Like most years, it's had it's highs and lows, plus plenty of lulls.  I continue to heal from the big Thyroid Cancer scare.  I'm good.  Hope all of you are too.

Airstream Trailer Scratchboards

So I had an assignment from some friends to produce a scratchboard for a trailer rally raffle price.  What could I do?  Look through my stock of monkeys, dogs, birds, etc... or create a new design?  You know what I did!  I developed the basic trailer shape, and then embellished in different ways.  Fun stuff.  And a nice break from the larger monkey and dogs that I'm doing for my September show at the Fayetteville Underground.  KJ if you recognize the trailer,  it's yours, or at least it's based on your facebook photo.  I of course modified it to make it mine.  Working on developing the scratchboard kits for Ampersand Art has changed the way I approach and execute my work.  Make the design, trace it onto the board and go to town on it!  I used to think I had to freehand everything or it wasn't art.  How silly!   I now have a pattern and I can make a million different versions of this.  Is that wrong?  Is it not art, now that I can reproduce again and again?  Still feels like art.  Still has the touch of my hand on it, and I am not a machine so each one has variation.  The ladybug version and the reverse ladybug (#1&2) version are sold.  I can make a different version for you if you like.  Just drop me a line or check out my etsy shop at the link.  I'll be listing some of these soon.  May even make some magnets from these designs.  All good here.  My voice is returning slowly.  I am still cancer free.  Happy.

Living La Vida Monkey

Just put this work in progress up at my other blog so check out the wordage regarding it there.  This is 24"x36" Ampersand Art Scratchboard.  I've got a lot more scratching to do so I've got to get on it.  Go to http://www.lindasheets.blogspot.com/ to see more.

Scratchboard Factory at the Fayetteville Underground

Here's a sneak peek at my latest Ampersand Art scratchboards in progress.  These are all 16"x20" and will be in my show at the Fayetteville Underground this coming September.  They will change a lot before they get hung.  I started adding color yesterday to some of them, I'm loving it.  No more sneak peeks until the show.  I still have at least 4 or 5 more large pieces to do.  Best get started...pronto!  Have a happy and safe 4th of July!  I'll be hunkered down in the studio.