Dog Scratchin' Book Update

Above are just a few of the dogs I've drawn already for the Dog Scratchin' book project. (If you want to know more about this look here for the kickstarter project) If you have pledged to be a part of this book and have not gotten your dog photos, stories etc...to me, this is a gentle reminder to put it together and get it emailed to me. Here is an incentive for you to get it in soon.  One week from today, that's Saturday May 5th, I will put all of the dogs names in a bowl and pick one dog image to be the subject for the postcard (hand colored) and one to be the greeting card, and one for the magnet.  If I haven't received your dog info they won't be in the bowl...
#1 is Kraimer, a singing Italian Greyhound, #2 is Maggie, supposed to be a daschund mix, turned out to be a Rhodesian Ridgeback/Shepherd/Good Dog mix. #3 is Tomichi is half miniature Schnauzer and half Cocker Spaniel, a 'Schnocker'.  These may or may not be the finished art that goes into the book. I like to do a few different versions to make sure I capture the spirit of the dog.  These are of course 5"x7" Ampersand Art scratchboards, with various inks to color. I've had several questions regarding buying the finished artwork if you didn't pledge for that reward. Yes you can! Just email me and I'll let you know what to do. If you didn't jump on the Dog Scratchin' band wag-gon during the Kickstarter campaign, yes, you can still get your dog in the book, but you must get in touch with me soon!  I'm hoping to have all the dogs drawn and scanned and put together to go to the designer by July, if not sooner. Thanks, and enjoy!

Adventures In Scratchboard Drawing

I finished this 5"x7" Ampersand Art scratchboard drawing last night. Sprayed it with Krylon Workable fixatif this morning. Suddenly, my worst nightmare, a speck of dust on the surface of the black. You can see it in photo #2 above. I imagine there may be specks on the white or even the brown, but they don't show up like they do on the black. Duh! When this happens, there is nothing you can do. Nothing!  I grabbed a tweezer to see if I could pull it off, and of course I made it worse. Now, when faced with this situation in the past, I would add some paper collage on the surface to cover it...and I intended to do that. Then I noticed the speck of junk under the eye (photo #3) and I almost cried. Dang, I hate when this happens. Although, when this has happened before, I've found solutions to fix them that have changed my style or created a different path to go down. I hope that's the case here. I'm thinking I may just have to start over on a new board and make a new 'Eddy'. This is a behind the scene view folks. I don't often share my 'mistakes'.  It may look easy, but there are so many steps to go through to bring a piece to completion, and at any step, things can go off the rails. In spite of this, I am so happy to be doing this dog scratchin' book project. I've gotten over 25 dogs to draw and stories to tell so far. Those of you who have not gotten your info to me, don't worry, I will give you a little poke next week to remind you. If you have questions or comments, have at it. I'll get back to all of you. Happy, happy dog day to you all.

Kickstarter Dog Scratchin' Book Update

The kickstarter project Dog Scratchin' book is in full swing now. I've had several questions regarding pledging and/or having your dog in the book, but you just found out about it. The kickstarter project site will stay up forever (I think) but the fundraising there is finished. That being said, there is always room for more dogs and a few more $$ toward this project. When I estimated costs, I did not put any money in there for me. This is a pure labor of love. In talking with a successful artist the other night, he explained that if he has no money to live on, he can not help the charities that he supports with his artwork. Makes sense. Gee, wonder how that thought escaped me? Anyhow, the way to join up now is to contact me directly through my website, or here via my profile.  The above dog is 'Scully' and I have a ways to go to finish, but I'm tellin' you, this is bringing me so much joy into my life to draw these dogs and hear the stories. Those of you who are participating in this...I thank you all for the privilege of sharing these dogs and their stories. Stay tuned...I'll be posting more WIP (works in progress) 

Free Ampersand Scratchboard Demos Houston, TX

Heading out early today to Austin, TX to visit friends and spend the night. Tomorrow I will be in Houston, TX giving a free scratchboard demo courtesy of Ampersand Art, at Texas Art Supply. The Montrose location is at 5:30pm. It's been filled, but if you show up we will find a place for you. Saturday morning I'll be at the Baybrook location at 10:30 and then Voss St. location at 3pm.  Call the stores for more information. It's going to be fun, fun, fun!
I have been collecting dog stories and photos to draw from. I've got to say, I'm already blown away by the stories, and loving the fact that I get to draw so many sweet dogs. You can check it out on my kickstarter project link (go to an earlier posting to find that, and to get more information) There is always room for more dogs and stories, even though the kickstarter project has ended. I can collect $$ through paypal or if you want to pay by check (who does that anymore? ME!) contact me via my website and we'll do the deal. I am so excited about this Dog Scratchin' book project. What a collection of stories and drawings it is going to be!
The above photo is a 24x24 inch cradled Ampersand Art scratchboard. Little Jimmy Dickens is the dog, "Take Me As I Am" is the name of the piece. Love this little dog! I loved making the artwork...

We Did It!

The kickstarter Dog Scratchin' book project is funded and now waiting to get done. I will begin gathering the stories, sending those off to Fay to help edit and assemble. The dog photos will be collected and the drawing will commence. This is exciting. My current big deal.  Life seems to contain a series of big and little deals...Actually this one is HUGE!
The above artwork is large, 16"x20" and is for sale at Wally Workman Gallery in Austin TX. When I was working on this I was listening to Lucinda Williams music, specifically the "West" album recording.  The song 'What If' spoke to me, the line "if dogs became kings" is the title of this.  I mentioned this while being interviewed for a local npr radio show and because of it (a longer story than I wish to go into here)I have become friends with the fabulous couple Miller & Jordan Williams. It just so happens that they are Lucinda's parents. And they live here. I get to visit with them at least once a week. And Miller is a wonderful poet. Today is his 82nd Birthday. Happy Birthday Miller! You and Jordan are so dear to me. I'm a lucky gal.

Kickstarter Dog Scratchin' Book Fundraising Final Hours

We are in the last 24 (or less) hours of the 47 day Kickstarter campaign to raise the funds to do a book of my scratchboard drawings of rescued dogs. To this Aries, that length of time feels like forever. But, I had to schedule around some conflicts and so April 7th at 10:11am seemed like the best time to end.  The above artwork is a scratchboard I drew from one of Fay Barclay's photos of her assorted dogs. At any given time she has several. Some are fosters waiting for their forever home, some are those that she rescued and adopted. Her passion for these animals and her photos inspired me to put this book idea together. I am grateful. This project has funded, and is still funding at this time. I may even be persuaded to collect more funds after the 7th, but you'll have to contact me via this blog or my web-site address. Now, I am not soliciting or asking you to wait. Kickstarter is a great funding platform for creative ideas, and I hope to use it again in the fall to put together a rescued Cat version of the book. So please go check it out here. Let me know what you think of all this.  I know I'm blown away and pretty excited to get started on this.
I will be in Houston at the 3 Texas Art Supply stores April 13th and 14th giving FREE demo/workshops using Ampersand Art scratchboard. Check their website for locations and store info. I'll be at Montrose Friday the 13th (Oh My!!) From 5:30-7:30 or 8:00. Saturday I'll be at Baybrook at 10:30am and Voss at 3pm. Call the stores for more info. They do a sign up sheet and I think they are full, but might be able to squeeze in last minute folks. Don't quote me on that...Thanks everybody! We are making a book!

Kickstarter Dog Scratchin' book project

My kickstarter book about rescued dogs and their people will end on April 7th at 10:11am. Click on this link to get the info and see how to be a part of it.
I'm finally home, recovering from some intense travel. I spent the past week, driving, flying, teaching scratchboard workshops/demos for Ampersand, visiting friends and participating in a fundraiser for The Animal Trustees of Austin.  My donated artwork for ATA sold at auction for $3500.00. That was awesome. They do great work for lower income animals and their owners. Income should not determine who can or cannot have a healthy animal!! 
I had a blast....but have to take a few days to recover. (for me that means, making some furniture pieces, or collage art, or getting out to see what I've missed!) Don't worry, I'll be up and at-em in a few days. Just in time to begin gathering all the information from everyone who pledged for the dog book. Yippie. Follow your instincts folks. Do what makes you happiest. Really!

I'm Still Scratchin' And Other Stuff And Such...

5 more days to raise funds to create the book of scratchboard drawings of rescued dogs. Click on the link to see what it is all about. I'm very excited about this. Can hardly wait to get started!
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1547701634/dog-scratchin-book-stories-and-drawings-of-rescued
Meanwhile, I'm back out on the trail in Manchaca TX, visiting friends, taking care of some business and just hanging out. I attended the Animal Trustees of Austin's big Petcasso Fundraiser tonight and had a great time. I got to celebrate my birthday surrounded by a lot of fine folks who love animals, what more could I ask for? The artwork I created brought in $3500.00 for them so I'm feeling pretty proud! It's a great thing to help animals, and to help the people who take such great care of them is a bonus. Today was my birthday, and I was happy to be around such a loving crowd. What more could I ask for? I have everything I need...and there is always enough. That's my mantra. I hope all y'all are having a good 'fools day'. It's late and I've got to get some sleep...more travels coming up.