The results are in, I’ve been awarded Master member status (MSA) in the International Society of Scratchboard Artists. It’s an incredible honor to be recognized for my achievements in scratchboard and my dedication to this medium that I love so much!
For more information, please read my press release.
“Fresh Feathers”, my drawing of a Shire draft horse’s legs, was awarded Second Place in the Miniature category at the 2016 Art at the Classic art show at the Draft Horse Classic. I took the reference photo of the horse at the wash rack at the Classic a few years ago. This drawing measures 6″ x 4″ and has sold.
This is an easy post to make, since I had already written it for our Scratchboard Artists‘ group on Facebook. The group is a great one, full of inspiration and advice. If you have any interest in scratchboard, as an artist or an admirer, please check it out. Scratchers of all skill levels post work in there and I was recently pondering some of the beginner’s works.
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Thoughts from the shower, where I get some good contemplatina done. . .
Ita s not about the scratching, ita s about the drawing!
Allow me to generalize a bit, this is based on my own observations: Those that seem to come naturally to scratchboard have most likely already gained experience with drawing in other mediums. Having a previous understanding of how to render value, contrast & texture helps immensely with scratchboard.
Scratchboard is unique in that ita s not a medium that is commonly taught or accessible to artists (of course, wea re all trying to change that). There are plenty of opportunities for aspiring artists to learn watercolor, oil, acrylic, pencil, pen & ink . . . and build skills.
For those who choose scratchboard as an entry to art, or may not have much experience in other mediums, youa re learning to draw at the same time you’re learning the scratching techniques.
Think about *drawing* with your knife, not just scratching. Look at the surface of your subject. Is it smooth or textured? Look at the contours, how do they define the structure and in what direction do they go? Find the different values: light (white), medium, dark (black), and the continuum in between. How do different types of scratches (long, short, stippled, feathered, hatched, soft, heavy, wide, thin) help you render these components? Make judgement calls, use your artistic license, create your own composition from your reference photo. Leave things out that don’t make sense, make your own contrasts where needed.
Figuring all this out comes from practice, learning to see, and the wonderful advice that so many of our members (in the Facebook group mentioned above) are happy to give.
Remember too, that ita s all an illusion. Wea re not creating dogs, cats, buildings, etc. Wea re making the right kind of scratches on a board that resemble these things. Ita s our interpretation of what we see in our reference photo.
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The last paragraph comes from an earlier “light bulb moment” regarding the illusion that you can read about in this post.
I’m thrilled and honored to announce that “Sleeping Patterns”, my scratchboard drawing of a pair of Sumatran Tigers, has been accepted in the Society of Animal Artists‘ 56th Annual Exhibition. The Exhibition runs September 23, 2016 through January 1, 2017 at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. After the Exhibition ends in Houston, there will be a touring exhibition of select works. It’s a possibility that these tigers could do some traveling.
Read more about the process and see in-progress stages in this blog post I wrote just after completing the drawing.
Click here to see a “zoomable” version of the drawing.
I’m thrilled to announce that “Boston Style”, my scratchboard drawing of a Boston Terrier, is now available on special edition Suzuki “Alto” cars in Japan. The drawing is re-created as one of a series of optional decals for application on the tailgate of the mini hatchback.
The creative producer of Hakuhodo, Inc., Japan’s oldest advertising and marketing firm, contacted me in April of 2015 after Hakuhodo’s creative designer found my art on the internet. They were looking for animal illustrations and felt that the drawing was “fitting & appealing to the target audience (females in their 20’s-30’s).” Many emails, negotiations, a contract, forms, forms and more forms ensued, and the art was eventually made into a decal. Please visit this page for more details.
“Sandhill Crane”, a 2 3/4″ x 5″ scratchboard drawing, received Best in Show in the Fine Art division at the Lodi Sandhill Crane Festival. It also sold, so that makes me a very happy camper! My mixed media drawing of a Horned Lizard was also in the show. It did not sell, and is still available.
Photo courtesy of Katherine Plumer
Sandhill Crane in progress
Horned Lizard – Mixed Media Drawing
The International Society of Scratchboard Artists‘ 4th Annual Juried Exhibition is in full swing and runs through July 26th. I traveled to Frederick, MD this weekend to see the show and attend the artists’ reception. Awards in the Master and Open divisions were given at the reception. I’m thrilled and honored to report that “K9 Ronin” received an Award of Excellence in the Open division. It is an incredible and inspirational treat to see a show of nothing but scratchboard works. It’s also unusual, as it’s rare to see even one scratchboard drawing in most art shows.
My scratchboard drawing of two tigers, “Sleeping Patterns” was awarded 1st place in the Mixed Media/Other division in the Placer Artists League 2015 Open Juried Show. Thanks to juror Waif Mullins for the award.
My scratchboard drawing, “Cathy’s Burrito Bouquet” is headed to the Fine Art Exhibit at the California State Fair (July 10 – 26, 2015)! I’m thrilled and honored that this is one of 180 pieces selected for the show and one of six works in the “Drawing” category. In addition to having a piece in the show, I have been asked to demonstrate scratchboard for three days during the run of the Fair. See this events page for more details about the demo days.
7.19.15 UPDATE: The drawing received an “Award of Excellence” at the fair.
I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve just been accepted as an Associate Member of the Society of Animal Artists. The SAA is a highly respected art organization and it’s an honor to be able to say that I’m a member. My next goal is to get a piece of art in the annual show. I’ll give it my first shot in 2016. It’s always a very competitive show featuring the best works by incredibly talented artists. I have my work cut out for me!
