Making Birds With No Place To Go

Well, the 'Flock Together' class at Eye Of the Dog Art Center in San Marcos TX didn't fill, so we cancelled it. It's just as well, because a dear friend is having a birthday on Monday and I wasn't too keen about missing it. Now, I can go celebrate with him. Lemons into lemonade and all.
I will however be headed to Austin later in the week to deliver a piece of artwork (below) to the Animal Trustees of Austin who will be throwing their big Petcasso shindig. I participated last year and had a ball.

Then it's back to NW Arkansas to continue drawing cat after cat after cat. I finished one this afternoon and started another tonight. My hand and arm are pretty tired from all the scratching. Soon I'll get into the groove and really start pumping them out. Right now there are around 60 cats to draw. Oh my, I'm a tired gal tonight. Time to clock out.

Early Morning Studio Time

This morning I'm juggling several things, here is a shot of the studio table and it's pretty messy. I'm making folk art birds at the kitchen countertop, scratchboard drawings at the above table, franken-furniture pieces in the workshop, and mixing in some visiting with Bowen the dog (below) at his home with good friends.

He's the cutest little guy, but being a puppy I found I couldn't get anything done with him doing what puppies do. So he's still a part of my pack, but we are all happier.
Oh yeah, still funding the Cat Scratchin book on kickstarter. It's almost to the end...soon I get to start gathering and drawing the cats. Go here to see the project. If you have a rescued cat, you may want to jump in...like, uh, now....please.
I'll be in Austin next week starting a visit and teaching tour. Check out Casa De Linda in New Braunfels for a listing of classes, plus I'll be at Jerry's Artarama Austin Sunday the 17th doing a demo. Line up-sign up. Ok, that's all for now. Stay happy.

Cats Baby Cats!

Well, the kickstarter Cat Scratchin' book project is in full swing! In 24 hours it is now at $901.00 which is amazing! But We've got a long way to go to hit that $7800.00 mark by Feb 13th. Here is the link please go and check it out. If you can't participate, that's fine, just give me a facebook like though if you will. And share the project with your friends who love cats. The above photo is a cat that belongs to a friend, Ginger likes to drink out of the watering can. The drawing is an earlier Ampersand scratchboard...old style Linda folk art. Still, fun. Thanks for stopping by.

Calm Before The Event...

Like "Max" here lounging, I am trying to have a nice calm day before the big event at Wally Workman Gallery tonight. Those who know me well know that usually I bolt out the door when the crowd at the gallery gets to be too much...it's my first instinct. I don't know why, because usually, if I am persuaded to stay, I have a nice time hanging out and meeting folks. But tonight I am going to throw off that tendency to run and just take it all in. It's about the book tonight, which is about dogs after all, not me. I can do this. And really, ultimately, I would be very sad and disappointed if no one came out to see the book and art (and me) tonight.  Here we go.....

Makin' New Animals

I'm busy, busy, busy. Cutting up old books full of animals, Oprah and Vanity Fair magazines, and any other pictures of animals I can find.  Getting ready for a 45 minute workshop that I'll be giving at the Texas Art Educators Conference in San Antonio next month. I'll be there teaching and selling Ampersand Art products.  I put if off long enough. It was much easier just coming up with the idea, now I have to put it together. This is one of my first finished pieces that I'll use to illustrate the process. Let's hope I can write a good lesson plan and present it in a understandable way. Just another "performance". This is either a Prairie Dog or some other rodent with a sweet little Doe head. Red tie and Red Fez!! I'll also be doing a scratchboard workshop called "Scratch Happy." That one is a piece of cake for me!
Meanwhile, I'm taking Dog Scratchin' books tonight to the For Pets' Sake meeting and to Petco on Saturday during adoptions event, to sell a few. So far I've raised about $100.00 each for the above group and the Fayetteville Animal Shelter.  I'll give them both a check at the end of the month. I hope I can bump them up by having more sales. If you are interested in one or two or more, you can contact me or just send a check (I'm old skool) to PO Box 8963 Fayetteville, Arkansas 72703.  Books are $25.00 each and I'm donating $2.00 of every sale to animal rescue groups.
Ok, that's it for now. The show at the Anne Kittrell Gallery on the campus of the University of Arkansas until the end of October. Open M-F 10am-6pm
Next dog event will be in Austin, TX Nov. 13th at Wally Workman Gallery from 6-8pm.

Pugs And Such...

Here's a sweet little Pug face on my drawing table tonight. I don't know who this is, just part of the collected images in my download file. I must have snagged it off of the internet, maybe facebook. Anyhow, I'm back to sketching dogs and, tah dah, cats (in preparation for the next book). And, oh yeah, The Dog Scratchin' books are here! They are beautiful. I'm happy, but also, in such an Aries way, ready to be on to the next thing. Must remember, first things first. Get.These.Books.Sold. (and of course give a significant number to rescue orgs) The big opening of the show is at the Anne Kittrell Gallery this Thursday night the 11th from 6-7pm. Wonder how many books I can sell and sign in that time period. Seems kind of crazy to me. Most gallery openings that I've been a part of go for at least two hours, and then some. Hope we don't get thrown out. Or maybe I hope we do...it would certainly keep things interesting. I expect it will be a whirlwind of fun.
Ok, that's all for now. The weather has changed, coolness is here, finally. My heat is on, and I've been building cabinets, little wooden totes, and "franken-furniture" to sell at my new favorite store, Warehouse 54 in Springdale, Ar.
I wonder what's next?

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.

Kickstarter Dog Book Project Keeps Going

A few things to report today:  The Dog Scratchin' book project at kickstarter continues. See it here. Currently at 71% funded. It's an amazing thing. Come up with an idea, present it, fund it and make it. Oh how I love this. Here's a great thing, I will be getting the boards from Ampersand Art in Austin, TX. I frequently teach scratchboard classes for them, and have licensed 6 of my designs with them, so we are closely associated. They are really nice folks, and they make the best art boards. They will provide these boards and therefore, I can put more $$ into the book itself.  What's my ultimate plan or vision?  I see the book spinning off other products. Cups, tee shirts, calendars, greeting cards, dog accessories. All these things which can then be used for fundraising purposes by various rescue groups. Why am I doing this? The short answer is, because I care about these animals. There are so many of them, waiting in shelters or foster care. Many who never make it out into a loving forever home. I'm not in a position to adopt any right now(which is hard). Also, because of this economy I can't give heaps of money to them. But, I can make my art and give that. Believe me, I get a lot from the making of the art. I just finished a large piece for the Animal Trustees of Austin Petcasso event April 1st.  (not shown here, it's a secret until the event. Will post image after that) What I get from this is, two tickets to the event, a nice meal, good company, a shout out, and a bit of applause. They will auction off the piece and the money goes to them. But, the absolute joy I had this past week working on this piece, it was worth every minute for me. It's hard to explain this to folks not in the creative industry. Although I love the finished piece and I'm happy and proud to put it out there, (and in fact, most every new piece I make is my new favorite!) it was the process of making it that gives me the greatest satisfaction. While creating art I go into a special zone. I'm at peace, I'm excited, I'm engaged, I'm unaware of the time passing, I'm outside of myself, I'm so in touch with my inner self.  All these things happen while making art.  Now, I don't get it the same every time while making art. Sometimes a piece just doesn't work,it's frustrating, maddening, and no matter how much I work at it, it doesn't succeed. But I think if I got it every time the 'magic' would become commonplace. Here's to having magical, special experiences!! Love- my- life!

This Is The Big News!

For two months I've been putting this together. Agonizing over each piece. Now, for some of you that might not seem a long time. To this Aries, it is an eternity. I've been pushing and pushing and then playing the 'hurry up and wait' game.  Finally, it's done and launched. Out of my hands into yours. Feels good to have it out there. Now, I need your help. Check out the link to see the project. I want to draw your dog, your neighbor's dog, any and every rescue dog out there...really. The sad thing? There are so many dogs who are needing a safe home. The great thing? So many folks have adopted one or two or more. And the organizations that rescue and place them inspire me. So I want to do this little thing that I do, which is to make art, to try and help these groups and dogs.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1547701634/dog-scratchin-book-stories-and-drawings-of-rescued

Big News Coming!

Well, the project I've been focused on, and working on for the last month or so is coming together and about to be launched as a Kickstarter project to gather funding to produce a scratchboard book of dog drawings and more. I hope to get it up and rolling no later than Monday the 6th. Sooner if I can. I have learned a lot about the Kickstarter process in the past two weeks. One of the things I learned and will do differently is to have most of it up on the site and ready to launch. I mistakenly thought I couldn't store the info there until ready to launch. What a dino I am. Still learning tho, so I'm not extinct yet! The other thing I learned is I don't know anything about producing a video. I spent the better part of two days trying various things that just ended up looking like crap. Luckily, my best friend Tina Riedel (who is an amazing artist herself) jumped in and made a really sweet video in a short amount of time. I owe her. You hear me Tina? I OWE YOU!! No, You.
She has always been there to bail me out when I get in WAY over my head. And I was. I have the best friends in the world. Love her.
The above is one of the dogs that inspired me to go in this direction. I used the usual, Ampersand Art scratchbord, inks, knife nib and fiberglass eraser. Love this doggie's eyes, face and pose. I can't wait to scratch out a bunch of dogs! I hope I can get this funded in the next 30+ days.