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.

Come to Wally Workman Gallery

This is Mirabelle, also known as Monsterbelle. Reportedly she will be attending the book signing this Tuesday from 6-8pm at Wally Workman Gallery on W. 6th St. in Austin, Texas. I can hardly wait to meet new folks, their dogs and see old friends. I'll be distributing some of the artwork from the book to those who pledged at the kickstarter project, plus selling books and other artwork. I'm giddy with excitement. The other reason is that 10% of the sales will be given to Austin Pets Alive rescue group. Wally and Rachel are so kind as to not only host this event, but they are participating in the 10% donation. I love to be able to give to such great groups doing such great work.
Today I also went to Kirchman Gallery in Johnson City, Texas for their holiday event. I met some super nice people and left some books there to sell. If you are in the Johnson City area on your way to the Hill Country you should stop by. They have a really great variety of art and artists in there..plus they also do wine tasting.
The weekend after Thanksgiving I'll be out in San Marcos at Eye of the Dog Art Center at their home show, which is a truly special and fun event.
So happy.

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.

Is It Here Yet?

This is Molly. She's a sweet hound mix. She and I are both waiting, and waiting for the book to be done. Soon, my friends. It's so hard for me to be patient...and yet, what else can I do? I've started drawing several new dogs that are not in the book. Just for fun, and hopefully finance. These will be framed and hung at Wally Workman Gallery to sell in November (or whenever). It was good to get back to scratchin'.  I'm ready...anytime now!

Dog Scratchin' Book Report

Here's Zipper and Zoey. The "Security" and the "Greeter". They are just two of the over 70 dogs that I drew, using scratchbord, between April 11 and July 20th. The book has been read and re-read and corrected, corrected again, and finally finished and is on it's way to the printer in Minn. Now I wait for the proof to check and then receive the finished product by or before Oct 11th. There will be a show and debut of the book Oct. 11th at 6pm at the Anne Kittrell Gallery at the University of Arkansas(Fayetteville) Then on November 13th at 6pm, I'll be at the Wally Workman Gallery in Austin with books and artwork. If you are in either of those areas I hope you can make it out. It's going to be fun, how can it not be, there are dogs, stories and a Miller Williams poem! Thanks y'all.

A Good Dog Day Afternoon

This past Sunday I got to meet little Magaidh (Gaelic spelling of Maggie) at the park with her owners, Ryan and Heather Marie Wells. It was a sweet afternoon, as I previously had only known her through her owners photos and stories. And from those I drew the artwork that will be in the book. The purpose of the meeting was to get photos of her with the artwork because she has bladder cancer and after two surgeries and chemo and nothing more to be done, no cure available, her loving folks are at the point of making a difficult decision. I've been there, with my seventeen year old cat. It was and is the hardest thing in the world. But I believe with all my heart that having an animal you love put out of their pain peacefully is the greatest expression of love there is. Magaidh has a few more days on this earth. I am confident that they will be the best days of her life. That's all any of us, animal or human can hope for or work on, making every day the best day of our life. This dog, this story, these people, they are a big part of why I'm putting this book together.
The photos above (except for the artwork that I scanned) were taken by Ryan and/or Heather Marie Wells.

Eddy the "Bucket Boy" Dog

Eddy's photo was listed under "Beagles" on the rescue site that he was on. His owners have no idea why they were looking there, they certainly were not "Beagle people". And Eddy clearly is more of a Staffy-Lab-Spaniel mix, so it was a mistake all the way around. A very fortunate mistake. His story though shows how it takes a village to save a life. I won't share it all here, suffice to say, his early nickname was "Bucket Boy" because he had been found on a construction site in one of those five gallon buckets. He was so weak he couldn't stand on his own. Through the work of two different rescue groups and a foster family, and then finally his forever owners, he survived and has grown into a sixty pound bundle of love. His owners say, "When people ask, what kind of dog is he? We answer, Perfect."
I am in the midst of reading the 1st pages, making corrections and changes. I have not gotten tired of reading all of these stories. And believe me, I've read them many times. I know each of these dogs by their names and their stories, although I haven't met most of them. The fact that I haven't been bored once with this project gives me hope that many will enjoy the stories and my illustrations as much as I have. I love the fact that these dogs and people are what you might categorize as "ordinary", no heroics or amazing tricks, just normal. (nothing wrong with normal)And despite the lack of Lassie or Rin-Tin-Tin qualities, all of these dogs share such an extraordinary love with their owners. That is what gives me chills as I work on this. Thanks y'all.

Prairie Dogs

Oh Frisco and Sadie, I knew you well. These two were dog-sitting clients of mine, and belonged to my good friends, Jo Edna and Reina, when I lived in Austin. They were fun and adorable. I say 'were' because they are off in 'Doggie Heaven'. Their owners like to imagine that they are chasing prairie dogs and coyotes like they used to do at their New Mexico home. (they were lucky to have two homes!)
Work is wrapping up on my portion of the book. I will soon hand-off to Liz Lester Design and she will turn it all into a real book. It's been a long haul, I'm ready to be done and on to the next project. I will debut the book in Fayetteville Arkansas at the Anne Kittrell Gallery at the University of Arkansas in October. And the Wally Workman Gallery, Austin in November. That's also when they will start shipping out to all y'all. (I hope!) Wish me luck. My eyes hurt from starting at the computer. I would much rather be drawing dogs and cats and monkeys than focusing on this detail portion of the project. I really am a 'Big picture' kind of gal. But, I know I must do all of it, not just the fun part. Stay tuned.

Dog In The Bluebonnets

Here is sweet Sam, or Samson if you're feeling formal. He's standing in a field of Bluebonnets. If you don't know what those are you must not be from Texas. They are everywhere in the springtime in TX. I miss them, and I miss TX. Even though it is hot as hell, it is where I've spent at least 17 years of my life. The jury is still out on NW Arkansas.
Work on the Dog Scratchin' book is on a brief hold as I move my home and studio this week. I plan to get back on it on Weds (that's tomorrow!) and get all of it to the great designer Liz Lester by the weekend. Whoo hoo!
Wish me luck, and I hope I don't get a heat stroke. Next time I move it will be in the wintertime....and to someplace that doesn't get this hot...ever. Where would that be?

Dog Lookin' For A Story

Oh Cooper Douglas. His owner has said, "If Cooper could talk he would keep me up all night". I wish Cooper could talk. He wants to tell his story, but doesn't have the words. I don't have the words either. Hint, Hint. I know Cooper, and I could tell about how he loves to curl up comfy in really fancy chairs. And how about..oh wait, that's right, I'm supposed to be telling his story with his owner's words. Anyhow, he is the sweetest Aussie? mix. It's getting down to the wire, and by the way, I'm moving home and studio so I'm a bit wild eyed and frantic. Must.Finish.Book.

Good Dog!

Sam was a good hiking dog. He would throw his body between a snake on the trail and his owner to protect her. He's been gone quite a while, but he really meant a lot to his owner. This drawing was a challenge as she only had a couple of really blurry photos of him. I used those and my imagination to complete this drawing. Things are wrapping up. Last dog drawing is done...stories are about to be done. I am happy.

Lucky Lindy

This sweet pup with the blue eyes is Lindy. Her owner calls her "Lucky Lindy". After reading her story I know why. She was a scared little pup at the back of her dog run at the shelter. With love and time she was brought our of her hiding place and has, for the most part, overcome her fears. I love drawing these dogs. I've got one more to draw for the book and I am sad about that. I will miss the daily episodes of drawing and reading the stories. But I can see a sequel in my future. And for now, I have enough examples of other dogs pulled off the internet that I can draw, just for fun. It's hard to explain this compulsion, this need to make art. The more I do it, the more I need to do it. That's not a bad thing though. It's a huge part of what makes my life good. I am grateful.

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.

One More From The Pittie Family

This is Skippy. He lived with Scout and Rudy (former posts)who have gone to the great beyond. Now he's by himself, with two loving owners. He is a big fan of nibbling on folks he likes...I am one of them. It's kind of like he thinks I'm an ear of corn. Doesn't hurt (too much!) and is pretty amusing. He is a Pit Bull or mix. Can be pretty imposing, but is really a dear. More story in the book.