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MEDIUM: Scratchbord™ with Inks
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SIZE: 14" x 11"
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STATUS: $1000 in a custom-made authentic oak barnwood frame
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ACCOLADES: (1) Accepted into 2023 Oak Ridge Open Show; juror Stephen Wicks: "Exceptional attention to detail. Overall composition well served by use of color." (2) Earned "Award of Merit," one of 3 awards given to the 44 chosen artworks (from 566 entries) for “Arts In The Airport” at McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville TN.
"When I saw a photograph of a brown pelican in boldly colored breeding plumage, taken by my wildlife photographer friend Tammy Kokjohn, I was drawn to the pose, the abundance of textures, and the dramatic colors. Could I capture this multitude of feathers, sharply detailed on his body but soft and fuzzy on his head? Would the image work against the stark black background of a scratchboard, eliminating the background of out-of-focus blue water from the original photo? Armed with my vision, I chose a 14" x 11" horizontal format and began scratching!
Some scratchboards look terrific left in black, white and grey tones. This was true with Breeding Plumage as well, but I felt the addition of transparent color would send it to another level, especially with so much unscratched black area framing the figure. His back feathers varied from blue grey down the center to slightly brown on the sides. I chose yellow tones for the rock he stand on, to reflect the coloring in his head feathers and beak. Of course, your eye is drawn to the bold red tones on his neck - as he hopes a new mate will notice!"
