Peacock Patterns by Cathy Loos

This drawing was accomplished by scratching off ink from a board (Claybord by Ampersand) that was coated with a layer of white clay under black ink.  I used a strong, sharp needle to make the scratches.  An artist can get a very precise, and highly detailed images with this method.  Artists use a variety of tools for scratching through the ink:  tips made by speedball, small wire brushes, sandpaper, steel wool, and ink erasers.

I usually leave my drawings black and white because I like the high contrast.  Some artists like to add transparent color.  After completion, I spray the board with an acrylic sealant. 

You can also put black ink over foil paper.  Once the ink dries, you can scratch the surface and expose the shiny metal below.  

If you are interested in learning more, the International Society of Scratchboard Artists (ISSA), is dedicated to promoting scratchboard as fine art, supports artists, and educates the public about this art form.

This artwork is titled "Look". It is a 12x9" acrylic painting on canvas board I created about a week ago. The layers of textures and colors represent happy times in the midst of uncertainty. I like the yellow shadow because it doesn't make sense. Just like so much during the 2020 Pandemic doesn't make sense. I have created more meaningful work in the last four months than I have in any other period of my life while hustling for enough employment to keep a roof over my head. It doesn't make sense. Most artists do best when they have a deadline like an art opening. But April 2020 had very few deadlines for me. Most of my gigs were cancelled - when theatre performances are cancelled the director no longer needs me to paint large scale scenery. When stay at home orders are put in place, schools no longer need me to be a guest visiting artist.  April and May's nature pulled me outside for long dazed walks that inspired my floral paintings. When June turned into July more uncertainty filled my news feed and social media. That's when strange yellow silhouettes appeared in my art. My palette knife layered textures and colors that evoked the discomfort in my head.  As in Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome, was it the “divine attendant spirit” that came over me?  www.youtube.com/watch?v=86x-u-tz0MA&feature=share Or was it just simply choosing my art to be my priority. There are a lot of unknowns right now. But one thing I do know, I am an art for well-being instructor. And I make art to feed my well-being. So what did The Pandemic do for your creative life? And why? Have you read any articles to explain creative excess? I’d love to see any research you may have found. But in the meantime, please enjoy the creative journeys of my artist friends on this website. And I do hope you get to experience a “divine attendant spirit.”

​Maria Ojascastro

Art Saint Louis has a Call for Entries: This Moment for a juried visual online  art show to be held August 15- September 15.

Art Saint Louis invites St. Louis visual artists to submit original artworks inspired by the impact, significance, complexity, profundity and meaning of This Moment in our lives as individuals, as a community, as a nation.  Art that captures the essence of This Moment for you.

ENTRY DETAILS (See more info at Art Saint Louis website) 
No entry fee.

DEADLINE
 July 30, 2020.

WHEN & WHERE
Show dates: August 15-September 15
Online-exhibit only on Art Saint Louis website, in a Facebook album, and in a virtual gallery. Visit current exhibit page for Life Interrupted.
Highlights on Art Saint Louis social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) and on the ArtLoupe mobile app.