My Ramblings

Back at it!

10/18/2013

It looks like Summer has drawn to a close...yuck! The good thing about colder weather setting in is that I find I have more time to get back into scratching. I have to admit, I've been in a bit of a funk when it come to creating art. I've only done a few boards over the summer, commissions of pets. The recipient was happy with them and I have a few more to go :)
But, I've started on a little 6"x6" Ampersand board of a
white tail deer. I'm thinking of experimenting with this one a
little...but I'll get to that later :)
So far I've used a #11 scalpel, my tungsten scribe and some DNA shading :)

Shiny Teeth DONE!

11/18/2012

Well...still at it :) I got the Smiling Grill done...now I have to hit the hood with some black ink and scratch in some high lights. I should be done with this soon...I hope! Ha Ha!
I have a puppy I have to do next...back to a furball...my comfort zone :)
But strangely, I do have to say this one is fun...It takes forever but the overloading detail when finished makes the time well worth the work. It's nice to branch out every now and then.

I do have to say thanks to a few people who have inspired me to do a board like this.
Matthew Jarrett, A "Master" at all things shiny and chrome. His ability to create reflections and dull metal have inspired me to give this a go. I got the chance to gaze upon his works in Glen Ellen California....and needless to say....I was in awe. Thanks Matthew! You are THE scratchboard Metallurgist! Keep doing what ya do Buddy.

And the Scratchboard Goddess....Master Scratchboard artist, Diana Lee. Her work...her silver work...and well everything she's ever scratched....Amazing. She's a Beautiful Soul who is as sweet as can be. Thanks Diana :)

Still Grillin'!

11/11/2012

Well...this one is taking FOREVVVVVVER!!! HA HA! Seriously...it is! About 70ish hours in on it so far. If it looks good when I'm done I'm going to...maybe...do something different with it. First off, Framed in a license plate frame...something real chromey :) Second...my printer suggested I do a special print, forgot the name of it, but it is printed on an adhesive vinyl, then put on a thick acrylic panel. I've seen it done with other works and it does look Cool. It's a bit pricey, but I just might do it. we'll see....right now though, I'm putting the cart before the horse...I gotta' FINISH this one before I even think about framing it!!!!

Working on Something New

10/27/2012

I decided to step outside my "Normal" style of artwork and see what would happen. Another Scratchboard artist, Matthew Jarrett, inspired me to give chrome a try. THANKS MATTHEW!!!
This is where it was at at 50 hours.

And after another 6 hours or so....This is where I'm at. I am enjoying the "Change of pace" but am missing the furry stuff at the same time.
On another note, The Gallery in Washington IL where I displayed all of my work, has closed up shop. I was sad to hear this, but it was by her choice, not the economy. I wish Bonnie Boss well in her future endevors with her new husband. I appreciate her support and her words of advice she gave to me in the time I was with her.

MAN.....WHAT A SHOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

8/7/2012

I have to say, the ISSA show in California was way too much fun! It took forever to get here and the week I was there, went by so fast.
I was able to get together with some old friends in the scratch world and met new ones at the same time.
After being friends on line over at Wet Canvas I finally had the extreme pleasure of meeting Patrick Hedges. He flew in from Austrailia and was exactly like how he is on-line...One Heck of a GREAT Guy. He was funny and had some quite interesting stories.   His scratch demos were fantastic...I finnaly learned how he does his squiggly technique :) I hope our paths off-line cross again in the future.
I had the pleasure of meeting another Scratcher who showed a very cool stippling/scratch technique...Ann Ranlett. She was a little quiet at first but once she figured out we were'nt crazy, she relaxed and started cutting loose. She was a pleasure to hang out with.
Another GREAT thing I was able to finally see was Diana Lee and Lorna Hannett TOGETHER AT THE SAME PLACE!!! They are two of my all time FAVORITE Scratchboard Goddesses! (and all around Sweethearts :} )
Hangin' out with Cathy Sheeter is always an event of staying on your toes...her quick wit will hit ya before you even know anything happened! If she's not hittin ya with her quick wit....she's using a Car Trunk Lid!   I always enjoy spending time with her talking about art or whatever.
One of the best things about the entire week...was hanging out with my Good Friend Harold Farley. Harold's birthday was on the day of the artist reception.   Not only was it his Birthday, but he also recieved a Silver Award for one of his pieces. The look on his face and his reaction was priceless! Then...as the show was winding down...Diana Lee said Tommy Smuthers from 'The Smuthers Brothers" was outside in the wine garden!    Sure enough. he was!
Harold and I were able to talk with him for quite awhile. He is just as funny now as he was back in the day! To Cool! Needless to say, I think Harold had a Good Birthday!
There's soo much more that happened....but I do have some artwork I need to get to :)

Finished the Jay and Working on the ISSA Demo boards

6/23/2012

I finished the Gray Jay off with some Ampersand Clayboard Inks. Inks can be applied after the initial scratching, then after the ink dries, it can be scratched off again to create high lights. I really enjoyed working on this one, bark to me, is FUN to do. I don't know why, it just is.

I also delivered another piece to the Studios On Sheridan today for their next First Friday event in July. Sadly I wont be there to hang out with the other Awesome artists because I'll be in California.
I'll be hanging out with some of THE BEST SCRATCHBOARD ARTISTS in THE WORLD. The ISSA Scratchboard exhibit in Glen Ellen California is fast approaching. I'm super excited to say the least :)

I started working on my Demo boards for the ISSA workshops. I'll be demoing how I do fur, bark and if there is time, how I do foregrounds. ( The board on the left is for my bark Demo. Every tree has to have a critter )
I've seen a preview of Ann Ratlett's demo on scratching/stippling and can't wait to see it in person. I know Lorna Hannet's demo will be incredible. She can scratch ANYTHING! I'll also get to see Charles Ewing work as well. He is the man who invented the boards I use. I was lucky to be in a show in Alamosa that he held and got to hang out with him for several days. He's a heck of a Great guy. I'm looking forward to meeting Patrick Hedges, an Australian Master Scratcher who is coming to the states for the event. He's also going to demo as well. He's been a huge support to me as I've learned how to work these boards. We give each other a hard time...but we both deserve it :) And of course, I get to hang out with Harold Farley. Harold is a Scratchboard Hero of mine. He is actually the reason I started scratching. He suggested that I give it a try, and from the first board, I haven't stopped. All of my wild crazy art fun the last few years....well it's all his fault ;)

Gray Jay WIP

6/11/2012

This is one of two Birds I have going at the moment. This one is a 5"x7" "Gray Jay". I have decided to add some subtle coloring using Ampersand Arts Clayboard Ink. I usually don't like working with color but this one just needed it for an extra pop. I still have more work to do on...but it is getting there :) So far I've used a #10 scalpel.

Also the First Friday event I attended at the Studios On Sheridan was a fun time. I met some other artists who were fantastic and got to spend some time looking at some great artwork. It was an honor to be included in their event. At the end of the night I was even more surprised when I was asked to leave my works hanging for the next thirty days. It was a fun night indeed.

Studios On Sheridan

5/31/2012

Friday June 1st from 5:00pm-9:00pm. CIAO First Friday Art Studio and Gallery tour. I will be there and will have Five pieces on display. It is going to be a Great time. Wine, Art and good company. Stop by and hang out :)

BBC Wildlife Magazine Award 2012

5/26/2012

I received the notice I really never expected to receive this week. My "Little" 5"x7" "Just Relaxin' " Wolf was given a "Commended" award in the BBC Wildlife Magazine, International Wildlife Artist of the Year 2012 competition.
There were 5 commendeds given, one runner up and one first place given out.
The final judging for the International category had a total of 78 finalists. There were a lot of wolves entered and two made it out to receive an award. ISSA Master Scratchboard Artist Cathy Sheeter's "Edge of Darkness" was the other wolf. It is a BIG Incredible piece. Big Congrats to her as well!
I am Honored to be included in the top 8, especially with the caliber of artists and work that was entered.
I will update the info when the online gallery on BBC's site is put up for viewing.
To everyone who has supported me with my artwork....Thank You!

Gallery show

5/21/2012

I just worked out the details to have 5 pieces at the Studios On Sheridan on June 1st. It'll be a good time meeting other artists, having some wine and seeing their works. Now I just have to decide which pieces to take :) If you are in the area stop by and say Hi! It's at 929 N. Sheridan, Peoria Illinois.
After the success at the art fair in Peoria Heights, I'm thinking that scratchboard is starting to "Play In Peoria" :)