Stampbord

I do a small ATC (Artist Trading Card) exchange, once a quarter. I sold my saw, so I'm not able to cut boards down to the correct size anymore (2 1/2 x 3 1/2). I remembered someone saying something about Stampbords. Well, they're white, but otherwise, they're the right size and they're Ampersand. So, I ordered some. This is my first one. I just experimented. I did have a photo to work from but just eyeballed it. I worked loose (another rarity for me) with Derwent Inktense, Watercolor, and Graphitint pencils and some other things hanging around. I'm working hard on several other scratchboards but this was a lightweight. I sort of like it and will be experimenting with it some more.

Lauren's Dogs, the beginning

I am so sorry I'm so far behind, but I've finally got it started. This is Lauren's black and white. I had to color the eyes right away, I find it unnerving to see these white orbs staring at me. They've got a long way to go, I just needed some color in them.  Off to scratch more and have breakfast before going to work.

Pastel

I havent done pastels in over 20 years, here's one of my early ones.

Darla

Life, as usual, seems to have been in a state of flux. However, I was able to finally finish this piece. I'll be delivering it today. 5x5 Ampersand with watercolor.

Darla and Pochacho

This is a work in progress, among many of the others I have going. Thank you everyone, I'm scratching as much as I can. It's a small piece, but it's fun.

On Monday, I become a foster mom for Pochacho. He's in rescue and has been fostered. He's gorgeous and sounds like he'd be wonderful...I wonder if he's going to end up staying with me.  This is a first for me, but I've wanted to do Senior Dog rescue for a long time...I love the older ones.

Spunky, Continued

I've been very pleased to work on Spunky these few days off. Here's an update...the ears are really helping. Right now, the eyes look a little off, but it's shading. Able to really put some time into it due to the high winds and storm.

Christmas Deer

I participate in a trading card exchange every year. The group is, unfortunately, getting smaller and smaller. This time, the Christmas Exchange, I drew the gal that has been organizing this exchange for the past few years. She is a superb artist in her own right. I wanted to do something for her that was extra special, but since she lives in the Netherlands, I have to get it off to her very quickly to get there in time for Christmas. Size is 3.5 x 5 inches. I'm also going to create prints and a christmas card out of it.  The baby has a heart shape on his/her nose and I'm going to make it Red.

Spunky went to Crafts on the Coast

Finally, good things have been happening. I passed probation and am now a full-time employee. I was at an arts and crafts show all weekend. It was my best show ever. I brought Spunky to work on and got a lot done. There's still a long way to go. I am very pleased with what is done though, he's really becoming an excellent example of how far I've come on this medium.  I was also invited to participate in the Highland Games next year as a vendor, but...they require 50% celtic and they want me to do dogs. I don't think they understand how long it takes me to do one of these, but I'll give it my best show.

Chip

Uh Oh, she's sneaking into my heart, big time.

Spunky, the picture continues

Burrr, winter is coming. I broke down tonight and put the little portable heater in the kitchen and hung the sheet so just the kitchen stays warm and I'm not trying to heat the whole house. Anyway, the scratching started out rough, but once it warmed up, it smoothed right out. I'm also playing around with a shammie (recommended by another scratcher) and like how it smooths out some of the rough lines (she recommended it for skin). The only distraction tonight was my kitten "Chip" being attached by the plastic bag she was playing with...she looked like a comet streaking away when it grabbed her by the leg, a little black/silver ball of fur with a white tail comet behind her. Fortunately it released (only stuck on her foot) very quickly but it was the perfect length of time to settle her down for the rest of the night. Back to the Spunky Man, I can see he's going to need a lot more scratching to get him as white as he is, but it will get easier and easier.

Karen

More Muzzle

Lips, Lips, Lips

Shading is very difficult here, or maybe I'm just getting old and can't see as well.

Spunky's Nose

Noses are difficult. There's so much detail and shading and it's such a remarkable organ.

Spunky 1

I started with the eye. Since he is so light, I started coloring him right away to help me keep everything aligned.

Spunky

Spunky just had his 15th birthday and his owner asked me to do a picture of him. Since I've known him forever, and just love both him and Sue (and Bella by picture), I agreed. I started tonight, with the eyes because if I nail the eyes, I can be forgiven anything. Spunky is predominantly white, but there's shades and shades of white. Here we go, I'll post a picture later. 8x10 black ampersand museum quality scratchbord.

Looong Time Ago

I have been busy, so to speak; desperately trying to survive. I'm still working on it, but have some hope for the future at the moment. I've lost 57 pounds, amazing what happens when you can't afford to eat, isn't it?  I lost Red in April to Kidney Failure. I so miss my heart dog, he was such a shooting star and I'm glad I got to bask in his fire. Love you, Red.

I've started back working on some artwork. Here's two of the Black and Tan Series. The first one is Parker, and the second is a dog called Sam. Both pieces are 5x5.

Blade

Another of my Pay it Forward pieces. Less than 2 x3 inches. I saw one photo of this old guy, got permission to use it and here he is. He passed several weeks ago. I am sending it to the owner if she wants it. I'd be more than happy to do something like this for you too.

Dave's Kitten

I sat the gallery at the Wine Place in Yachats yesterday. It's a great place to go for all your wine needs and Carrie Yano, the owner, might even listen to you Whine for a while. Anyway, I had two small paintings I wanted to finish up, but, I got all tangled up with a new piece. The Scratchboard group is forming a new society, the International Society of Scratchboard Artists (ISSA). All I can say is that the ante has been upped as far as the quality and I'm slowing down but working harder. (I'm also looking for work again).

Dave is the maintenance guy at the apartments I've just left, but he's also the Maintenance guy at the apartments where I'm the assistant. (I've discovered I make a great assistant, just call me Babalouie). Anyway, Dave has been so kind and is so nice, that I'm doing this piece of his cat. He gave me two great pictures, but I really liked is kitten in a drawer. Here's the start.

It's going to be 8x10.

HN Sketch

Here's the latest in my pay it forward series, Hob Nob Paint the Town Red. 2.5 x 3.5 inches....very pleased with this one, especially the eye. I think it's the best eye I've ever scratched.

Finn

I got in a challenge to do five pieces of handcrafts for unknown people and surprise them. This is the first and the next will be one of Jan's dogs. This is a puppy she just bred, and He now lives in Orlando with his new mom, Molly. It is ATC sized.