The art of scratching...love it!

As a watercolorist -- love that term -- I like to move away from traditional techniques from time to time.  I have discovered scratching tools that are designed to work on clayboard.  Guess what?  Those same tools provide interesting and unusual results when applied to a dry watercolor painting.  As I became a bit more brave, I applied deeper layers of paint before using the scratch tools and I have to say I like the textured results.  I had one or two mishaps where I used the tools a little too vigorously, but I actually like that finish, too. 

One of the tools is like multi-fingered wire stubs...oh my gosh, what it does for trees.  I am working in abstract right now -- if fits my mood -- and the tools were the muse.  I will post some photos for you soon.  I think you might be surprised and pleased with all the glorious texture. 

My greatest comfort zone is specfic color and detail, detail, detail.  Working in the abstract mode with these tools has given me permission to just apply color, more color, and then take some away.  Next, I added the detail -- splatter, dots, lines and connections.  I tend to work up to a design point after the majority of painting is completed. 

As a greeting card designer, I remember that my art can be digitized and sized.  I have a vision with each piece -- not only as a print, but a finished card as well.  I enjoy the freedom this discovery has given me.  I don't feel the need to worry over each little thing and, when I begin using the scratching tools, a new idea for the intention of the piece usually comes through.

I have included one of my pieces, which has actually become the logo for this site and a greeting card...Infiniti Crow. I am really pleased with it and will use it in a variety of sizes.

Try the scratching tools -- they can be found at jerrysartarama for $14.  Not bad... http://search.jerrysartarama.com/search?keywords=clayboard+scratching+tools

Photograph is infiniti crow art.  Makes me happy.  DCR

My love - Native American Artwork

Why Native American Art?

A friend on Face Book visited my website.  Happily, he loved it... and was surprised that I did Native American (NA) artwork.  His comments got me thinking about why I love creating NA art.  I began drawing and painting my own interpretations of NA art on my first visit to Sedona, AZ over twelve years ago.  We were fortunate to stay for two weeks -- long enough to absorb the beauty and history.  We explored, took photos (my husband is an excellent photographer) ate, talked to people, took in the historic sites and those off the beaten path.  We came to love the place. 

Eagles Return/DCR

While I was there, I filled up with a need to paint and communicate my own version of love for the spirit of NA culture.  I have wondered if my deep feelings for all things NA came from a family connection.  My great grandfather on my mother's side was full Cherokee.  As was common at that time, he was adopted by a white family, his name was changed and he became immersed in a completely different society than the one in which he was born.  I never met him.  My mom passed on when I was very young, so I really didn't get to know her side of the family and he had passed on at that time as well.

As well as watercolor and oils, my NA art has extended to the creation of fetish dolls and hand-carved, hand-sanded (38 times) and hand-decorated walking staffs -- many of them are in some nice galleries and private collections around the country.  I haven't created the fetish dolls or staffs in a long time and I am not sure I will return to them. They are very, very labor intensive and my heart has moved on for now. 

I used silver, elk hide, horse hair, fur, feathers, turquoise/other beads and copper on the staffs. The same materials went into the fetishes along with 100-year old muslin, wood, slate and pen work.

Last year, we took a trip to Santa Fe, NM.  Let me tell you, after a week in that art mecca, fabulous desert, Georgia O'Keeffe's Ghost Ranch and the historic Turquoise Inn where we stayed, my being again swelled with inspiration to create Native American art.

We visited the Institute of American Indian Arts Museum in Santa Fe -- I highly recommend it.  Here is the link http://www.iaia.edu/museum/ if you are interested in American Indian art.  It is very contemporary and the artists are serious about their work.  

My NA artwork definitely has my own flair and vision.  You can see my Native American Collection of greeting cards on my website at  http://www.dcrdesign.us/index.htm

I would love in your feedback and comments.  Here's to inspiration!


Diana