2 Grey Owl Scratchboards

A friend suggested a 'grey' version of the owls I've been working on. Here you go Ryan...2 Grey Owls. They are 5"x7" Ampersand Art scratchboards. I used the original designs that I had done a few days ago, made patterns and transferred them to new boards. A fancy way of saying, I traced 'em. No shame in that. Learning how to do that (I've been working on designs and instructions for kits) has opened up a whole new world. I used to freehand all of my pieces. Now I can knock out a design and then do numerous knock offs of my own designs! I had a lot of fun with these. Used the basic scratch knife, fiberglass eraser, and the bigger scraper knife. I've got these in the studio right now, and I added just a faint touch of orange to the eyes with ink. I couldn't bear to leave them just black, white and grey. Interesting, when I first started scratching I stayed strictly black and white as I was afraid of color. (really that means I had little experience with color)

Anyhow, the latest in my world is; First Thursday is coming up at the Fayetteville Underground this week...I'm hanging some new pieces there tomorrow...Friday was my birthday, I'm older and probably wiser.

Still Scratching-Bud the Dog

Early morning post. I'm drinking my coffee, listening to Shawn Colvin on the ipod. Thinking about the time passing by. Can't help it, tomorrow is my birthday. I'm not real pleased about racking up the years and the physical changes it brings, but I am happy to be alive, making art. Hoping to keep on keeping on for at least another 40 years or so! My Grandmother is 99 and still going, so there is a possibility... The art offering for today is a sweet made up dog named Bud. He's an 8"x10" Ampersand Art Scratchboard with a combination of Liquitex Acrylic Ink and Clayboard ink. I'm off to tape and float sheetrock today at the house project. Will be so happy when this is done. I spent most of the day yesterday at the Fayetteville Underground in my studio and working my shift at the E Street Gallery. I miss it, love being there, looking forward to spending more time there in a month or so. Check it out, there are some really fine artists there making some really great art.

Blue-Eyed Yella Dog Scratchboard

I just love this blue-eyed yella dog! It's a 11"x14" Ampersand Art scratchboard with Clayboard inks. Based on a photo of one of my favorite dog friends, Ruby. She's a more reddish color and doesn't have blue eyes, but hey, using my artist license folks...I've shipped this off to Ampersand to be included in the booth design for the Namta conference in Phoenix AZ coming up in April. I'm flying out with the company to do some demos and work the booth. Exciting! Fun! My birthday is coming up this Friday. Going for some R&R with my sweetheart Thursday thru Sunday. I need it. I've been hitting it hard at the house remodel. Was hanging sheetrock most of the day yesterday. Banging around under the house the day before. My hands and body are aching. I guess I'm either out of shape (which is probably true) or getting too damned old (more truth) for this kind of work. Glad I do scratchboard and collage rather than large scale stone carving or other extreme physical art. I'm happy to be alive, living where I'm living, doing what I'm doing, filled with love.