Home For Thanksgiving...And it's alright. Really.

For the past ten years or so I've not really had a Thanksgiving (or even Xmas)holiday (read, rest) vacation...I've had to drive here or there to set up and sell my artworks. Blue Genie and Eye of the Dog in Austin and San Marcos, Texas and the past couple of years, the Little Craft Show here in NW Arkansas. This year, due to many reasons; I'm still here in NW Arky.  I didn't get picked for the Little Craft Show, haven't done Blue Genie in a few years because I moved, and my cat got sick, my back is bad and I'm exhausted from my work schedule.  But mostly the cat getting sick threw me over the edge, so I cancelled my annual trip to Austin where I usually have turkey with friends and then spend the weekend in San Marcos, selling and hanging out.  At first the possibility of not going was so strange and foreign I didn't even want to consider it. My younger self would've said, "Oh what the hell, just go and get through it!" Now that I'm somewhat older and maybe just a little bit wiser I thought, "Well, what's the worst thing that could happen if I don't go?" And that's when I realized that while I will and do miss my friends/family there, I'll live, they'll live and I can drive down another time, when I can really spend a good focused visit. It's nice to be relaxing, eating, working on a bazillion pet portrait commissions that need to be done before xmas. It's a good life. I do have some small scratchboard trinkets and art pieces at the Walton Arts Center gallery here in Fayetteville during the holiday season. The gallery is open one hour before events/shows until December 23rd. There are 20+ other artists there with pottery, paintings, jewelry etc... It's a good show, and the best part about it is they do all the selling and smoozing. There is an artist reception this Saturday from 2-5pm. I will clean up and go mingle.  I also have many little pieces of art that were destined to go to Texas to sell...contact me to see/buy them. That's it. The above piece of art is a mixed-media piece from my "Little Houses" series. Happy Thanksgiving! I hope my cat gets better soon. I hope y'all had plenty to eat and good times wherever you spend your turkey day.

Art Show Prep Sunday Morning

It's my last Sunday in Austin and it's been a great visit, but I'm ready to get back to my little home studio and scratch out a few commissions. I've met up with some old friends and made some new ones in the past two weeks. That, and staying with my Austin family who have a delightful little almost 4 year old, has made me feel very grateful and loved.
Today is the final day of the Eye of the Dog Art Center home show from noon-4. I've been doing this show for five years now (dang...time going/moving and all that) and it's always a 'time-marker' for me. Four years ago my mother was being buried, back in Indiana, during the show. I always think of that and of her during this time of year. There are many reasons why I didn't attend the funeral, without going into all of the family drama, (and believe me there is some family drama) let's just say, she always taught me that 'the show must go on', no matter what. And so it did, and so it does, and so we do.
I'll be headed out for my little road trip tomorrow. I love the driving, thinking, or not thinking, listening to podcasts or wild talk shows on the radio. I've been asked if I get lonely, or if I wished I had a companion to share the ride...my initial answer is 'hell no!'
Although, I have had some past road trips with friends that are truly memorable, this driving time is my meditation. And I need that meditation just like I need my art making.
Next stop, The Little Craft Show in Fayetteville, Arkansas. I'm looking forward to a very concentrated selling event. One day, December 7 from 11-6pm. Whoo hoo-Let's go little doggies!!

Speaking of little doggies; This is Maggie. I did this commission a few months back and Maggie's people loved it. It's a 5x7 inch Ampersand Art scratchboard in a simple black floater frame. I loved doing this. I'd love to do one for you. Drop me a line here and we can make this happen.
Cheers! And Happy Trails!

Kickstarter Cat Poster Funded!

Well, the short funding period came and went and I raised the money to make a small, limited edition of posters of all of the cats from the Cat Scratchin' book. Whew. I'm happy. Oddly enough (or maybe not odd at all) the Dog Scratchin' posters raised more money (double what I was asking for) I don't know what to think of that, although I do know from experience that most cat people want a portrait that looks exactly like their cat(or as close to exact as I can do). Dog people are usually more open to variation of design. I've sold more dog portraits that only slightly resemble their dogs. Curious.

The photos here are of my latest projects that I'm making for craft/art shows. Plus I'm working out the displays for said shows.  These are Linda's Little Originals. They are 2"x3" Ampersand Art Scratchboards.  Most are just ornaments with a loop for a tree hanger, but some are both ornaments and pins that can be worn. I'm churning these out like mad. I've also picked up some commissions that need to be done before the holidays...the Littles can be done for $15.00 + shipping, let me know if you are interested....soon! I'm fast, but I'm getting booked up.
I'll be in Austin, TX Thursday November 21st 5:30-7:30 at Wally Workman Gallery signing and selling books and art. This event will give a portion of sales to Austin Pets Alive which is one of my favorite shelters. Save the date and if you are able to attend, I hope to see you there.
I will also be out in San Marcos, TX at The Eye of the Dog Art Center Home Show November 29th, 30th and Dec. 1st.

Just Keep Making Art

Today finds me struggling with an almost migraine headache. Not a good thing, and yet, I still want to be making my art product. I've had way too many migraines in my life and they really knock me silly for a bit. Is this a sign that I need to take a break? Or just a bit of weirdness that I have no control over? Who knows? Not me.
Well, anyhow I'm pushing onward. The above are some not-so-great photos of my latest Little Originals series. These are 2"x2" Ampersand Scratchboard that were originally their white 'Stampbord' that I inked with Speedball Super Black. Voila, scratchboard! They have pins on the back so they can be worn on shirts, caps, backpacks and what have you. I also added a small loop at the top so they can be hung on your Xmas, or Festivus or what-you-may-call-it tree. Fun stuff. I can sit and watch (or not watch) TV shows on my laptop while knocking these out. And the packaging helps make them look 'real' I think. I'm looking forward to seeing how these sell at Eye of the Dog Home show November 29,20, Dec 1 in San Marcos, TX and at The Little Craft Show Saturday Dec. 7th here in Fayetteville.  I hope they do sell because I made a whole heap of these in a variety of subject matter. (see just a few above)
I will be launching a new Kickstarter project next week to make a limited series of Cat Scratchin' posters. I just picked them up from Moxy Ox in Tontitown, AR and they look awesome! It's going to be a quick, small project. I'm only asking for $500.00 (but I'll take more if folks want them) and it will run for 13 days to fund. It's all a crap-shoot doing these projects. At first I thought I didn't want to do anymore Kickstarter projects...because it can be stressful putting them together and then working the crowd to fund them. This one will be a grand experiment to see if doing a shorter funding period works better. Usually after 30 days, I'm exhausted from having to 'beat' the facebook/instagram/pinterest/twitter bushes to get backers. Plus if they don't fund right away I lose sleep and get all bent out of whack. This project will launch next week and will end during the dreaded Mercury Retrograde!! If you know me, all new things and contract signing, communication etc screeches to a halt during MR. I'm kind of superstitious, but also in my defense, I've experienced major mishaps during MR. (usually occurs about 3 times a year) Google it if you don't know what it is. Astrology thing, believe it if you wish. I may be flirting with disaster doing the project during this time period, but there's no way around it if I want to ship to folks before Xmas. Boldly I go, eyes cranked half shut hoping for the best!
The Cat Scratchin' book continues to delight. I've gotten some really sweet emails from folks who participated and love the book and their artwork. I look forward to spreading more joy in the coming months.
The next event will be a signing at Wally Workman Gallery in Austin Thursday, November 21st 5:30-7:30. A portion of sales will go to Austin Pets Alive and there may even be a few kitties representing them that night...hope so. Contact me or them if you have questions.
Ok, I was hoping that writing this would make the headache go away and it has not. Have a happy weekend whoever you are and whatever you do!

Feeling Kinda Krafty

I know I've not been true to the blog lately...it's been over a month since I've posted, but I've been a busy gal. Above you can see the little 2x2 inch scratchboard originals I've been making(these are just a few of the over 100 that I've made).They are pins, but also can be hung on a tree as an ornament (thanks Richard for the idea) or if you are especially creative you can put a jump ring on them and wear as a pendant.  These can also be mounted and framed if you're into the whole small art thing. I'll be selling these in Austin (San Marcos) November 29, 30, Dec 1st at the Eye of the Dog Home Show. If you live in the area and have never been, you need to go. This art center is an amazing place, hard to describe....just go.  I'll also be at Wally Workman Gallery November 21st from 5:30-7:30 signing Cat Scratchin' books. This event will give a portions of funds to Austin Pets Alive (two of the cats in the book came from that shelter) and it should be a fun night.
I'm also waiting to hear about a couple of December Gift shows, one here in Fayetteville, and the other in Tulsa. I haven't done many shows, they are a lot of work and sometimes not too much moola in return. We'll see. I'm feeling like the kid on the playground waiting to be picked for the volleyball/kickball whatever ball game. I hope they pick me. If they don't (please, pick me) many of these pins will be posted for sale in my etsy shop in October/November. There are birds, monkeys, chickens, dogs, cats and a snake or two. I even made a few of my favorite little house theme pins. They will retail for around $12.00. A bargain for a little original I think....you tell me what you think.
I'm also waiting for the Cat Scratchin' books to be delivered to me. Sometime in the next week or so I hope. It seems like forever since I finished the drawings and edits and all the other stuff that goes into making a book.
The above are all Ampersand Stampbord that I turn into Scratchboard by inking with Sumi or Speedball Super black ink.

Making Folk Art Birds and Such

Please join me Sunday, April 7th for an all day fun-filled workshop making folk art birds in San Marcos, TX. Go here to find out more. Small fee, lunch included. Really great art center out in the beautiful Texas scrub-brush country south of Austin.

Flock Together Folk Art Birds

It's Official...I'll be in San Marcos, Texas at Eye of the Dog Art Center,  April 7th teaching a class called "Flock Together". We'll be assembling folk art birds from various pieces parts. It's going to be a great, day- long class including a delicious lunch.  Click here to go to the page and sign up.  I hope we have a full house or flock. If you've never been to this art center, it's amazing. A sweet little gem out in the country south of Austin.
I've been using up pieces of scrap wood and misc stuff from yard sales and such. These are so much fun to make. If you are in the area, please join me!

Chicken Scratchin'

Maybe I've posted this one before...it's hard to keep track of the art and the time. This is a 5"x7" Ampersand Art Scratchbord. I completed it a while back. I'm thinking today about the next few books that I'll be doing in the future. The Dog Scratchin' book is at the printers now. And paid for thanks to all the folks who participated in the kickstarter project. Should have some proofs to look at soon.
 Next up, Cats. And then Chickens. And maybe Snakes. Birds. Who knows?
Yesterday I taught a scratchboard class at John Brown University in Siloam Springs, AR. It was great fun, the students seemed to enjoy it, and I always get a kick out of watching folks playing with the boards and tools. It was nice for me to get some scratchin' in as well. After all the dog scratchin' the past six months I've taken a short break to construct some mixed-media birds (will show in next post) and little wooden "tote" boxes from vintage wood and pieces/parts. Planning on selling those at my antique mall booth and at the Eye of the Dog Art Center show in San Marcos, TX in November. Stay tuned.

What A Mess Of Art!

This is the living room after hauling most of the stuff out of my studio at the Fayetteville Underground.  Dang, I've really got the whole 'body of work' thing a'going on here.  Now granted, some of this is going to Wally Workman Gallery in Austin, TX.  Some of it is going to Eye Of The Dog Art Center in San Marcos, TX for their annual after turkey day home show, and finally, some of it is my Ampersand Art scratchbord teaching materials for demos and workshops.  I'm heading out to Texas for art fun!  Can't wait to see all my friends! and I'm doing a bunch of scratchbord and stampbord workshops.  If you are in Austin, be sure and stop by Jerry's Artarama on I-35, Saturday November 19th from 12-3pm.  I'll be there doing a free demo.  Yippie eye oh!
The sad thing about this picture is that there is another room in the house that I use as a studio, it is full up too. Sad, because I really just want to sell it all to make room for making more. So, what I ask you is, instead of buying the newest phone, fad, or whatever, buy some art...from me, or any other artist.  The economy has hit us hard too.
 I really hope folks will support the Underground artists in our new adventure.  Check out our morph the org website to learn more. 
Meanwhile, I've got a heap o' packing to do...Yah hoo!
I guess all I really wanted to say is...I'm off for a bit, I'll miss all y'all in the Arkansas Ozarks.  But I'll be back for our last 1st Thursday at the Fayetteville Square location.  I hope y'all can come out and visit with us. Bring your dollars and do a little or a lot of art shopping.  And I really hope you will help us continue to bring amazing art to this sweet little burg!  Chow babies!

West Coast Scratchboard Info At Flax Art

http://flaxart.com/2011/07/scratchboard-easy-to-do-art/

Very cool site of a West Coast (San Fran Bay Area) Art Supply.   I'll be teaching a Ampersand Art Scratchbord class there within the next 6-8 Months!  I love my life!  I love scratching!

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.

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.

More Things That Look Like Scratchboard

Not Scratchboard, at least not as I know it (www.ampersandart.com) but definitely Scraffito and most assuredly cool stuff. Ok, I have to admit, I know Billy Ray Mangham personally. Even if I didn't, I'd still love Eye of the Dog Art Center where he and amazing artist wife Beverly make really great art and have sweet classes. Check it out at www.eotdac.com Someday I will own one or two or three of these platters...a gal can dream!

Happy, Happy Scratchboard Holiday!

I've been very busy scratching away on Ampersand scratchboard for the past few weeks. Not much time for the blog...but I'll try to be better in 2011. This is my current studio table! Had a great couple of weeks in Austin, TX doing demos at Jerry's Artarama and the Austin Palette Club. Also had a fun time out at Eye of the Dog Art Center selling art at their home show. Now I'm back home and working on a series of scratchboards. Can't post them yet, will put them up soon as I can. Suffice to say, I am working on some big, fun, future business.
Today is my Grandmother's 99th birthday. She is a wonder...still lives alone and gets around pretty well. Hope I got a big dose of her genes!

Hobby Horse

I did this 'hobby horse' scratchboard about a million years ago. I can hardly remember it...except that I was not really very happy with the finished product. In spite of that, it did sell. It is so odd for me now to look at these older pieces. No color and really an simple work, not polished at all. Yeah, right, like all of the more recent dog & monkey pieces are 'polished'. Ok. It's good to have if only to see how I have changed and grown as an artist. I'm out of town right now. Have settled into a booth at a bakery with free wi-fi and so am 'connected' while being disconnected from the folks around me. Strange indeed. Check out Eye of the Dog Art Center and sign up for some classes. Especially my upcoming Scratchboard and Collage class April 11th. www.eyeofthedogartcenter.com This piece is an Ampersand Art scratchboard, my favorite. www.ampersandart.com

Scratchboard Still Life

This is a large (16"x20")Ampersand Art http://www.ampersandart.com/ scratchboard combined with acrylic paint and collage. It was hung at Dahlia Woods Gallery http://www.dahliawoodsgallery.com/ in Dallas. I'm happy to say, this and two other still life type scenes sold there. I'll be teaching a scratchboard and collage class at Eye Of The Dog Art Center http://www.eyeofthedogartcenter.com/ in San Marcos Sunday April 11th. This is an all day class starting at 10am. $95.00 A tasty lunch is included. I'll have plenty of tools and materials. All you need to bring is your creative selves! Go to their website to get more details and sign up.

King of All Dogs

This is an older, sold scratchboard of mine. It is a Ampersand product, 16"x20" (http://www.ampersandart.com/) Tonight I had the pleasure of presenting information about the company and my favorite medium, scratchboard, to the Austin Fiber Artists. What a great group of folks. They had many of their projects there and I am thinking there may be some sort of fiber incorporated in future pieces of mine. Outstanding! I can't wait to see what they may come up with (and what I may come up with as a result of what I saw there). I will be teaching an all day class on scratchboard and collage at Eye of the Dog Art Center in San Marcos Texas http://www.eyeofthedogartcenter.com/ on Sunday, April 11th. It is very affordable, includes lunch, sample materials, and is in one of the most dynamic and fun art centers I've ever been to. The owners are both amazing artists and it is an unforgettable experience. Google it and sign up folks, if not for my class for another of the variety of classes offered. I'm also giving a free scratchboard demo at Jerry's Artarama here in Austin, Sat. Feb. 27th from 12-3pm. I love watching folks discover how much fun this is!

Still Life Scratchboard

This is a large 16"x20" Ampersand scratchboard. I just finished this the other day. This is a combination of vintage paper collage and water based oil paint. This is my new favorite piece. I struggled with it for several months. It just wasn't coming together. Once I started slapping the paper on it started to make more sense to me. I love it when it happens that way. I'll be doing a scratchboard demo at Jerry's Artarama in Feb. I'll post more info soon. Also will be doing a day long scratchboard/collage class at Eye of the Dog Art Center in San Marcos TX in April. Check out more info at www.eyeofthedogartcenter.com

Sweet Blue Dog

This is my latest 5"x7" Ampersand Art scratchboard. www.ampersandart.com This is a sweet dog named Blue, a belated birthday present for a friend. These latest scratchboards are stacking up in the studio. This one has a home....but many of them don't, at least not yet. I'll be delivering several new monkeys and dogs to Wally Workman Gallery this week. www.wallyworkmangallery.com Check them out. I am the 'Target' of the gallery...my work is quite affordable, purposely. I want to sell art. Simple as that. I don't make tons of money on these, but they fly out the door and end up on people's walls. That makes me happy!

I'll be teaching a scratchboard class at Eye of the Dog Art Center www.eyeofthedogartcenter.com in San Marcos this coming April (Sunday April 11th from 10-4 lunch included $95.00) This Art Center is one of the coolest places on Earth. Really. And Billy Ray and Beverly are two of the most talented, nicest artists I know. So put this on your calendars and save your pennies. We will be diving in head first into scratchboard and collage. I'll have all the materials and tools. My goal is world domination by scratchboard. It is the most instant gratification art technique that anyone can do.