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.

Chickens and Such

Scratchboard Demo at Jerry's Artarama was great! Good number of folks came and stayed and left with their own scratches plus extra sample boards and even a few tools. Will be doing this again May 9th. I realized that I love teaching, esp. about this medium. What was so interesting that day was how everyone uses the product differently. My friend Cheryl Finfrock took to it and it really works well with her abstract expressionism style. http://www.cherylfinfrock.com/ I hope she posts some examples soon and works it into some larger pieces.

I'm putting up some images that are new works I've produced for Dahlia Wooods Gallery in Dallas. http://www.dahliawoodsgallery.com/ They are 8x10 scratchboard which is a new size for me to work with. Plus I've introduced a quirky element of scratching on top of the acrylic...in this case some tic tac doe.

Just got back from Marfa, TX and will report on that soon.

Scratchboard drawings for the slow economy

The Wally Workman Gallery is having a group show called 'A Grand Affair' this month. I've contributed 12 5x7 scratchboards priced at $100.00 each. The show features artwork under a thousand dollars, by most of the gallery artists. I think I've sold about 8 of the 12, 5 the first night. So, not bad for a down economy. Of course I'm barely making cost on these but what matters is I get to make and sell art! Life is good here. I'm going to be doing a demo at Jerry's Artarma in March. Scratchboard of course. I think it will be fun and maybe I will 'convert' some folks to this medium I love so much. Here are some of my pieces...