Art

Today I'm thinking about choices. I hate to simplify things down to "this or that", but isn't that kind of what life is all about? Do I want this? Do I want that? Well, that's how my life works. I've been drawing cats in scratchboard for the kickstarter Cat Scratchin' book project for the last 3 months and I'm just about done with the 68 total cats. In the meantime I also have a few dog scratchboard commissions that I need to jump on. It gives a little break, a chance to head off in a different direction for a bit. I'll get to the above photos in a minute, I just thought I'd share a glimpse into the Linda-brain with y'all. Brace yourselves...I'm about to ramble on.
I woke up feeling isolated and alone, which is how most days are for me; usually this doesn't cause a problem for me, it just is my reality. Anyhow, I thought maybe I should push out of my comfort zone and go to a big outdoor street fair,  to have some human interaction and join in with the collective human-ness of such things. I drove slowly by and promptly decided it was too hot, too many people, and not much parking, so instead went to Wal-Mart. Please forgive me, judge if you must, it just seemed 'better' to me. Air conditioning, plenty of parking and a chance to maybe find some clothes and food. Not much human interaction though, and I didn't find clothes, but made some good food choices that will reward me later.  I've convinced myself that I'll try to stop by the street fair later in the day, early evening when it's cooler. We'll see if that happens. I'll report my experiences here if it does happen. I wouldn't hold my breath, at least not for too long if I were you. Ok, enough of that, the above photos are just to give you an idea of my working process. The commission is a 16"x20" Ampersand scratchboard drawing of two dogs together, with poppies and sunflowers. I'm excited to get going on this; it will be a heap of scratching. The owner sent photos of her dogs and I put them together in one place, I'm still working on the background concept, a pulled out of my head made-up environment. I finally bought a projector/enlarger to make my life easier. I basically start with a line drawing that I then transfer to the black scratchboard using white chalk rubbed on the back of the drawing. The big fun for me is then scratching away the black to white to create textures that resemble the dog or cat or flower, whatever it is I'm trying to render.  Nothing wrong with having good tools to make art folks.
I'm also working on an idea for a future kickstarter project to produce some full color posters of dogs and cats. More on that later.
In the meantime, be happy, make art!

Sorry I've been missing in action for a bit. Working on the Cat Scratchin' book and other commission pieces has kept me at the table scratchin' away for days. In fact everyday is an art day for me. Not a bad thing, I'm happy. I've found that I post less here and more on Instagram so if you are interested in following me at the profile blueyemonkey, that would be super cool. In the meantime, the above is the current cat on the table. Got to get back on it. Have a day!

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.

Please join me Sunday, April 7th for an all day fun-filled workshop making folk art birds in San Marcos, TX. Go here to find out more. Small fee, lunch included. Really great art center out in the beautiful Texas scrub-brush country south of Austin.

The above piece is old. I haven't lived in this place for over 3 years, and I haven't worked in this monochromatic style in at least 5 years. Yesterday, while thinking about a fund-raising piece for a local charity that works with at risk youth who has an annual event called 'Starry Starry Night' (a Van Gogh challenge of sort)-- I remembered this piece. I think I can plagarize myself and make a smaller version (12"x12") with more color to pay respect to the 'Bedroom' piece by Vincent. I'm feeling a bit excited about the prospect of getting a 'do-over' on a piece. And of course, the excitement of working through and making changes isn't bad either. All is good in my world. I've got another large piece (24"x24") on deck for completion for yet another charity auction. I believe I'm building up some great karma for future use.

Ok, I'll make this quick. I am an artist, a professional at my craft. When someone recently, oh, like, maybe a city in Texas that shall remain un-named asked me to design a poster for a festival, for free, I didn't exactly jump at the project. But, being the good soul that I am, I thought about it for a minute and said, "sure, why not."  Good Exposure, right? Uh, yeah, right. Well, I made the design, even hand delivered (after I had sent a photo of it to make sure it was what they wanted). They then started back-pedaling on the whole deal after I dropped it off. At least they had the 'grace' to call me and say they wouldn't be using it because they couldn't line a up place to hold the unveiling and auction. (they auction off the artwork to help fund the festival...but not to give funds to the artist...I'm.not.commenting.on.that).
So, reportedly they are shipping it back to me. We'll see if that happens. Here's the good outcome from all of this. If I don't know you or support your 'cause' it will be so much easier for me to say, no, not interested. There are some very good folks who I will always donate a piece to, every year. But the above, might I say, a$$hats? Forget it, don't ask me, again, ever.
That being said, I'm headed back to the Fayetteville this week. To get started on the cat book drawings and do a 24"x24" dog drawing for 'Petcasso' the big fundraiser for Animal Trustees of Austin which takes place in April. Wah hoo!

I've been in Central Texas now for a few days and while it's been great, today is a gray, grey day. (I never know which grey/gray to use) Some kind of front moving through, we're all waiting for the rain. I've already done three scratchboard workshops for Ampersand Art here. All have been very successful. Two of them were at a new venue for me, Casa De Linda in New Braunfels, TX. No, they didn't name it for me (although I like to think so), David and Linda are the owners. They've been in this location about two years. It's a sweet sanctuary and oasis for art, if you're in the area you should stop by and see them. I loved with working with them, and the folks who joined us both days. Here are a just few photos from the workshops.



A good time was had by all and everyone made some scratchboard art, and loved it. Very satisfying for me. One of my goals is to bring the masses into the scratchboard artists fold, one at a time, even if it takes my lifetime. It's instantly gratifying, therapeutic and good for you! What wrong with that? Not a thing. Keep your head up, make art!

Today I'll be at Jerry's Artarama in Austin, TX from noon to three with Ampersand Art scratchboards doing a little hands-on demo fun. If you've never used scratchboard, it's a quick, instantly gratifying art form. I taught a class in New Braunfels yesterday and had a great time with the folks there. There will be another class Tuesday from nine to noon at Casa De Linda on IH35 Business. You could squeeze in last minute.
 I've got to get through Austin traffic from South to North to get there. Today is the Austin Marathon so that should make for some interesting snarls.  Gotta love IH35 and Central Texas!

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.

When things are slow with art--meaning sales, inspiration and such--I make things. This is a little blue stool. Made with some reclaimed redwood and one hundred year old long leaf pine flooring and some oops paint from Home Depot. I've moved these stacks of lumber about 5 times, now I'm working through the stack to get to a point of no-stacks-to-move-no-mo. The whole point for me is keeping this great lumber out of the landfill or burn pile, and to create something new with it. A way to give it purpose, or keep it 'alive.'  I can't explain why it is I do this, but I do identify with it closely. Feeling kind of old myself these days, like maybe I'm out of the loop and yet, not ready to go to the burn pile. I do everything I can to stay relevant and aware, tweeting and instagraming, facebooking etc...still, this world is geared to the young. (of which I am no longer) Oh jeez, I'm waxing poetic now, eh? Here's the deal--I believe in making something from nothing. The above is just an example. I'm fixin' to go out into the warm workshop (because it's in the upper 60's today for chripes sake) and make a lot of noise and sawdust.  Check previous posts for scratchboard workshop info. I'm goin' to Texas next month!