Kickstarter Project is Rolling On

My teeny little kickstarter project is fully funded now with twenty days to go before it ends. This confirms my suspicion that I should have made it about a ten day funding period--but I didn't so-oh-well. Kickstarter is such an interesting idea, 'crowd funding' and all. One never really knows what will appeal to folks. I'm glad this has grabbed y'all's attention. This is my third successful project (of course it really will be a success when I finish and distribute the Cat Scratchin' book and the above posters) There is nothing to stop further funding, in fact I welcome it. The more the merrier. I'm only printing the posters for this project, in other words they won't be available anywhere else, so if you want/like them you've got to get them now. There is just a little confusion at the kickstarter site (mostly because Mercury IS Retrograde--Don't judge--I'm a believer!) so I put numbers on the posters so click above to look more closely and then pledge away here until the end: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1547701634/dog-scratchin-limited-edition-posters-for-your-wal
On a side note--today is one of those days when I just feel out-of-sorts, or maybe out of my body or mind! I don't know what it is, maybe waking up around 4:30am and tossing in and out of sleep, or the fact that the weather is so nice that now I'm thinking that I could stay here in Northwest Arkansas. Last year and even the year before it was Texas-Hot for most of the summer. I'm trying to get away from that heat, so imagine my surprise when it happened here. I'm restless, wondering what's next. Ok, I know what's next...finish the Cat book and these posters, but I mean, after that? I always have a plan, and when I don't I get a little cranky and bent out of shape and even a little lost....
So, here's to today and all of the elements it contains, I'll change what I can, and roll with the rest. If you have questions about the projects give me a holler. Also, I love commissions so if you have a favorite dog (or cat) or hell, any critter, give me a chance to scratch it out for you!
And NO, just in case you were wondering, the numbers are NOT on the posters in real life, just here, okay?

Kickstarter Poster Project Funding Over Halfway There!

Just thought I'd show you a crappy, kind of blurry phone photo (you get the idea) of all four posters framed in cheap, cheap poster frames from a big box hobby store. These were around $7.00 each and I used the coupon for two of them (2 different visit purchases...) so all four were under $20.00. Cool eh?
Any-o-how, just wanted to let y'all know that we're sitting at 53% funded with 23 days to go. Yay posters! Yay Dogs! Please take a look-ee-see here and maybe you want some too! It's easy. You can buy in for as little at $15.00 or get all four for $45.00. That's all folks!!
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1547701634/dog-scratchin-limited-edition-posters-for-your-wal?ref=small_projects

It's A Good Day In Linda-Land!

These two are super cute. This artwork didn't end up in the book. It was just an exercise in being loose and fun. It's Ampersand Art Scratchboard. 5x7 inch.
I'm happy. The kickstarter project (click here to see) is just under halfway funded. There are 26 days to go. If I don't raise the full amount of a mere $550.00 I get nothing. That's ok. I can live with that. I'd rather not though. I'd like to see my 4 posters go out into the world and make people happy. That's all I'm asking for. Just a little hint of success. The other day I was lamenting to a friend about art sales being down and she said, 'well, you can always go back to plumbing.' Uh, no, I can't. I spent almost thirty years crawling around under houses, in tight attics and trying to fit myself into impossible spaces, all while either making fire with a torch(and trying to not burn the house down) or woman-handling a couple of pipe wrenches. Don't get me wrong, it was a great trade. I'm happy I did it. I'm happy I at least tapped the top of my head on the glass ceiling in the trades. But the reality is, I'm older now, and I can't do what I once did. The last major project I did was help a friend build her house from the ground up. I was 50 then, and it was hard, but I could still do it without killing myself. Not any more. I have constant neck pain from bulging discs and bone spurs. I'm happy to still be able to handle scratchboard drawing all day long, every day.  Not feeling sorry for myself, just my reality. So I follow my art muse. Right now it's the books, who knows what it will be next year.
Please take a look at my project and see if you have any interest, or if you know someone who might. Thanks! Follow your dream, even if it leads you on a curvy path.

Dog Scratchin' Poster #3

The Dog Scratchin' limited edition poster project has been submitted to kickstarter and now I wait for them to approve (or not) before launching in a week or so. I've been living with one of the series hanging on my wall, framed in a simple cheap frame from the big box hobby store and it looks good! Meanwhile I'm still working on the cat book (and believe me, wrangling cats is much harder than dogs, no surprise, right?) No judgment, just fact.
Once again, the layout of the posters was done by the amazing artist Chad Maupin at Big Bot Design. I can barely operate photoshop, let alone try to put more than one image on a page...
It's a lovely day in Northwest Arkansas, especially in the house with AC going.

Last Minute Dogs

Hey folks, all is good here in *Linda-Land*. I'm still selling Dog Scratchin' books like crazy. Just wanted to give you a heads up...if you want to buy a book(s) for Christmas gifts, or even commission a custom piece of art, get with me soon. Like, today or tomorrow. Post a comment here and we can make it happen.  I promise I will work hard to get it shipped to you before the holiday. If you are in NW Arkansas I can hand-deliver, but you must contact me right away. This month's 10% of sales proceeds are going to a group in Beaumont, Texas called *PAWS*.  I've already sold quite a few books this month, but would love to sell more so I can give more to this group. I'm starting to get geared up on the Cat Scratchin' project. Will keep y'all posted. Thanks, and have a lovely day!
The above is dear departed "Sister", and her brother "Cletus" in his fancy shirt. It's a 5x7 scratchboard drawing on Ampersand bord, with inks. Sold.

Drawing Dogs for fun!

Now that the book is finished and all of the art from it hanging at the Anne Kittrell Gallery on the campus of the University of Arkansas, I've had some time on my hands. So I've gone through my collection of dog images that I've downloaded from here and there, and then I scratched out some new artwork, just for fun. The usual here, a 5x7 Ampersand Art scratchboard with clayboard inks. This is one of my favorite dog poses. The leaves are of course only in my mind. I'm not sure who this is, I'm referring to him/her as "Good Dog". I will frame this and take it to Wally Workman Gallery in Austin to sell. The event there will be November 13th 6-8pm. I'll be there with books, art and kickstarter rewards. I will soon add a paypal button here, and will list books at my etsy shop if you are looking for books to buy. I'll also be at Eye of the Dog Art Center in San Marcos, Texas, right after Thanksgiving selling artwork, books, magnets (big sale on those this year), and the little wooden carpenter "totes" that I've been making. Stay tuned, more information about all of that soon. In the meantime, I'm off to Petco today to work with For Pets' Sake Springdale to get a bunch o' dogs adopted out. They are such a fun group that does great work, rescuing animals from the city shelter and placing them in good homes. I am donating 10% of sales to them, and 10% to the Fayetteville Animal Shelter this month.

They're Here!!

I'm very happy to announce that the Dog Scratchin' books have arrived. All five hundred of them! I am gathering the various "rewards"(postcard,greeting card,magnet) and packing them with the books in preparation for shipping and hand deliveries to the kickstarter funders. Those in Fayetteville Arkansas can pick them up at the Anne Kittrell Gallery in the Union at the University during the reception on Oct. 11th 6-7. And the entire show can be seen M-F 10-6pm until the end of the month. 
I'll be at Wally Workman Gallery for a special event Nov. 13th from 6-7pm to sign, sell and distribute books. There will be several pieces of artwork for sale there. I'm also setting up commissions for the holidays. If you would like one of your animals (not just dogs) drawn on scratchboard to give as gifts you need to contact me soon!!
The book looks better than I even imagined it would. I just sold 8 yesterday to a friend who will be giving them as Christmas gifts. That means the first $$ went into the rescue group fund...$16.00 ($2 per book sold) whoo hoo. Here we go! This is pretty darned exciting!

Dog Books On Their Way To Me!

I'm anxiously awaiting the delivery of the Dog Scratchin' books. Soon there will be more than several boxes of them stacked and waiting to go to their next home. Or homes. This is good. This is very, very, good. Now, if I could just breathe!
The show is up at the Anne Kittrell Gallery at the U of Arkansas Fayetteville and officially opens today and runs through the end of the month. It's open M-F 10-6pm. It's located on the 4th floor of the Union blg. I've been parking in the parking garage on Stadium Dr. Easy-peasy once you figure out the payment machine, and then a short walk over to the most confusing building I've ever been in. There are what seems to be half floors. Many different levels and wings. Good luck.  I'll leave breadcrumbs so you can find it. Please come to the reception on Thursday Oct. 11th 6pm.

Anne Kittrell Gallery Dog Show

Today I will take all of the scratchboards to the Anne Kittrell Gallery on the campus of the University of Arkansas and begin to hang and set up the room for the month long show. The show opens on October 4th and runs until the end of the month. The reception is Thursday October 11th at 6pm. The books are being printed and will be shipped in time for that event. (I hope!) It will be nice to have the artwork in my hands again. I've had all of the boards packed up waiting for this.
This past week I started 6 new dogs and two cats. Just for fun, for sale, for me. I'm happy to be back at it. And work has begun on the Cat Scratchin' project that I hope to launch after the first of the year if not sooner.

Dog Scratchin' Book Preview

I've got the unbound proof sheets of the book in hand. I'm spending the rainy weekend looking at it to make sure there are no changes needed before doing the run of 500 copies. So far I see a hyphen or comma to add or remove here and there. Making changes costs more money, so I have to decide what I can live with.
 It just makes me very happy to see it just as I envisioned. The two on the page are Trabi and Mopsie. I love the way they look. And they have a sweet story, as do all of the dogs in the book.

Little Dog Cute

I did this little dog drawing just because. He belongs to a gal I know in Austin. She's going through her dear mother's things and she had offered me a bunch of art supplies. I told her I would trade her a scratchboard or two of her dogs for those supplies. This is Tino. I don't know much about him, but he is darned cute. I love dogs and scratchboard. Yippie! The book is really coming together. I haven't seen it in a few days, turned it over to Liz Lester Design after reading through and making corrections on the 1st pages. I will debut it October 11th at the Anne Kittrell Gallery at the University of Arkansas. In November there will be a book event at the Wally Workman Gallery in Austin, TX on the 13th. Stay tuned, I'll give you all the information as I know it.

Steak And Bones

This is me playing around with the background on the 5x7 Ampersand scratchboard. I love the dogs positioning, so the finished product will be much the same, only with a different background (I think!?) When taking this on, the owner mentioned and even included a piece of artwork with dogs and a slab o' beef in it. This is "Steak And Bones". The dogs are Rocco (top) and Baxter, a Boston Terrier and a Boston/French Bulldog mix. These guys are the cutest! More on them in the book. Oh yes, the book...things are moving right along, just a few more stories to collect. If you are one of those who have not gotten the story of your dog(s) to me, please, I beg of you, don't wait too long. I'm not stressed out yet, but it's inevitable, especially if I have to hunt you down and badger you.

Zoey and Zipper

Today is Zoey and Zipper day! I put this composite drawing together from several of the photos that were sent to me. They both exist in real life, but this pose and the flooring are out of my own head. That's how I roll and that's how I've had to adapt to create these 5x7 drawings that will be in the book. They both have sweet stories to tell. You'll have to get a hold of a Dog Scratchin' book to read it. Oh I'm such a tease! The usual info; Ampersand Art scratchboard, inks and my two hands a' scratchin' away...

Pearl Of A Dog

This is Pearl. She is part of a small pack o' dogs, Monica and Prince are her buds. They all run the house, I'm sure. They are all loved.  Almost all of the dogs are drawn, stories are being read and re-read, a few stragglers still coming in. Soon my friends, soon, it will be a book.

Prince of a Dog

This is sweet little Prince. His owners love this little guy and I can see why. He does have eyes in there, don't worry! Work on the book continues. I've drawn 75 dogs and am working on the stories, trying to get it all together to put in the designer's hands mid August at the latest. Pushing...pushing...Hot....hot...hot.

Dog Days Upon Us

Here comes Ritchie! This delightful little guy was found running along the side of a busy highway. He comes from Bald Knob Arkansas. He brings lots of joy to his owners who love him very much.
I have just finished drawing all of the dogs from photos I have received so far. It's somewhere around 67+ give or take a few. I count and then another comes in and I lose count....so let's just say, the book will have about 70 dogs and their stories in it. July and August are going to be busy months for me. I love it! As long as I have AC and plenty of cold beverages I will be happily working on the book.

Two Dog Day

I love these two! Gingi and Tina. What a pair. This is of course the only time Tina is larger than Gingi(all depends on your perspective)....and, maybe in her dreams she always is.

Little Dogs Big Hearts

This is Ginger. What can I say? She is one danged cute dog. Her story and others are told in the Dog Scratchin' book to be released in the Fall of 2012.

Lovely Loca Dog

This is Loca. She was abandoned as a pup and was living scared, in a vacant apartment. I actually know her, and her folks who rescued her. She is a sweet little girl who had a rough start to her life. I can say with confidence that her life now is easy and full of joy. I've read so many stories like this that will be in the book, they touch my heart. I am so glad there are so many out there who take these great animals in and give them a loving home.  I am grateful to each and every one of you. I hope this book project will help to share some of that love. It is my privilege to draw these dogs and tell their stories.