Springfield State Journal-Register article about me

I'm so excited that I just had to boast a little bit about an article that was written up about me in the State Journal-Register today! You can read it here.

It's embarrassing yet flattering and at the same time very encouraging to me. Little things like this totally boost my spirit and help me to continue creating and keep putting my work out there.

Tamara Browning was the reporter that did a fantastic job of representing me.

Sale on Etsy store to end soon!

You have until early tomorrow evening before some prices in my Etsy store go back up. Some items will be exhibited in a gallery locally so I might be taking them out of the store soon.

How to care for and display your Scratchboard drawing

Before a scratchboard is framed, care should be taken not to touch the surface of the board. Even though my drawings are sprayed with a protective coating, the oils from your skin can still leave a stain.

Tip - In the event that this should happen you may want to try spraying the surface lightly with a Kamar or Claybord® varnish (which can be purchased in your local art store) and in most cases this will dissolve the fingerprint or oil stain. Do not rub the stain, even with a soft cloth, as this will only worsen the mark.

The surface is relatively delicate so care should be taken to not hit or tap it with anything. Sharp edges will create cuts and blunt ones may create dents in the surface.

When framing, I suggest using non-glare glass. The black ink can create a very reflective surface under regular glass causing a ‘mirror’ effect.

I usually recommend matting the drawing with a black mat board and then complementing it with a black, light silver or platinum wood frame. If the drawing is made right to the edge of the board, a nice way to frame it is to ‘float’ the art in the center of a cut mat board to create a shadow box effect.

Although you should never hang any kind of artwork in direct sunlight, using display lighting will enhance the viewing experience. Even though this is a two dimensional art form, lights shining on the original art from different angles will cause minor shadows and light shifts to occur causing a three dimensional impression. You will notice that the clay has actually been ‘sculpted’ due to the various depths of cuts made during the creation process.

Update (6/28/10) - Here are two pictures of one my original scratchboards (Nine Tulips) that has been framed.

As you can see, it is sitting on top of an off-white matboard but still framed by the black matboard. 

There is a 1/2" space from the inside edge of the top matboard to the edge of the scratchboard. 

I use a spacer between the top matboard and the bottom one so that the scratchboard never touches the glass.

I like to 'float' the scratchboard because I think that the best characteristic of it is that it's not on a piece of paper but on a board.  Why not show it off?  In my opinion, it adds to the work and gives dimension to the framing. 

Framing it this way was not my own invention.  I learned it from an antique scratchboard piece that I purchased.  I thought it was brilliant and I've been framing my work that way ever since.

New listings on Etsy!

I'm adding a few new items to my Etsy store today so please stop by and check them out. I'd love to hear your comments!

Miscellaneous Scratchboard ATCs

Here are some recent ATCs (Artist Trading Cards) that I've created in scratchboard:

I'm now on Facebook and Twitter

That's right, I'm getting technologically up-to-date!

You can follow me on Facebook
at http://www.facebook.com/sandrawillard

And on Twitter
at http://www.twitter.com/sandrawillard

Drop by and say Hi! Now I've just got to figure out how to use them. Let me know if you have any great tips for beginners, I would really appreciate it

Sale in my store!

It's time to move older inventory and my art needs to find it's way to some good homes that will love them. Be sure to check out my Etsy store and see if there is anything that speaks to you!

"mrrrowwrrrr, purrrrr, purrrr" (kitten for 'pick me, pick me!')

Welcome to my update blog!

Whenever I have any news that might be of interest I will post it here! In this blog you will also find some posts on my works in progress so you can see what I'm up to.

I also hope to be able to share some tips and tricks here that I've found to be invaluable.

Oh, and if you have something you would like to share with me this is the place to do it!

PS - If you subscribe to this blog send me an email with your address and I will send you a FREE limited edition print of an ATC/ACEO. No strings attached! Just my way of thanking you for your interest in my work.