Scratchboards (cont.) and other media

Shallow Crossing – This is a three-in-one “tryptic” painting of 13 wild horses crossing a shallow creek. It is 16″ x 60″,with each segment able to stand alone or hang together. Three of the horses are very highlighted and focused while the rest are behind, galloping as a herd. This painting was created on cradled clayboard; with blues, sienna browns and india ink background airbrushed in as the base. I used scratchboard to create each horse. The color you see on the herd is watercolor – layer upon layer to give the entire painting a three dimensional appearance. There is no framing, as it would detract from the tryptic grouping. Instead, the cradled canvas is 2 inches wide and acts as its own frame. This painting’s purchase information is available upon request at my email: marilynman@aol.com

Rufous and Roses – This 5 x 10″ painting was based on a floral photograph by Marija Wosnizk and a hummer photo from Mick King. I created a moody, almost Victorian look with my airbrushing of greens behind the roses to create contrast. It has been purchased and resides in Redondo Beach, CA. (SOLD) Prints are available upon request.

“Beauty” is an 8 x 8″ scratchboard/watercolor of an Allen hummingbird (photo reference courtesy of Mick King) feeding on a hibiscus (photo reference by myself). The painting is enhanced with a gold leafed double matting in a 12 x 12″ frame. The painting has sold.

Hummer with Antique Feeder (Landscape view) – This is one of a pair of scratchboards I created using a hummingbird feeder that has been in my family for decades. I was curious if I could create the look of glass with my watercolor and scratchboard techniques and I believe I succeeded! The little hummer is one of three pair that daily fight over this food supply. SOLD, but prints still available.

Hummer with Red Flower – This is a stunning gem of a picture. The lighting and shadows on the hummer makes it seem you could capture it in your hands. It is framed in a burgandy toned wood that brings out the deep reds of the flower and iridescent neck of the hummingbird. SOLD but prints in a 5 x 7″ format available upon request.

Hibiscus Hummer – This 8 x 8 scratchboard with watercolor was created from a reference photo by Mick King that inspired me to paint this Allen hummingbird hovering over a budding hibiscus. Allen hummers are found along the western border of California and love red tubular flowers.Tattoo needles and fiberglass brush were used to scratch off the watercolor that I airbrushed onto the white clayboard. SOLD

Battle of the Rufous – These two rufous hummers are engaged in protecting their territory from each other. The antics of hummingbirds have always provided much joy to me and I love to paint them in action. The reference photos I used were provided by photographer Mick King. The flower is a prickly pear cactus bloom. Painting SOLD to collectors in Oregon but prints available upon contacting me via FB or my email.

This dainty painting was a white scratchboard that I turned into a scrunchable surface with airbrushing of greens, turquoises and yellows. I then etched out the butterflies and flowers. They were each watercolored and to achieve the highlights, scratched again. This is an exquisite painting with so much dimension from the layering of watercolors and etchings.

Ashy Face Barn Owl is a true scratchboard with only the pressure of the knives used to obtain the various shades of black, grey and white. It was based upon a reference photo by Paul Fine. This painting has sold, but prints and notecards are available.

Silent Hunter – This stunning picutre of a great grey owl showcases the contrast of black scratchboard with translucent feathers detailed in watercolor. It is 16 x 20 inches and framed in a beautifully complimentary silver on wood frame. The original has sold, however prints are available.

Whoooo’s There – This is an original framed 8 x 10 Scratchboard of a Great Horned Owl. I enjoyed the contrast of colors and highlights as I painted this bird. The eyes are especially expressive and seem to follow you wherever you are in the room. SOLD but gicl’ee prints are available.

A 6×6″ traditional black and white scratchboard of a great horned owl (photo reference by Sandy Scott) This was a demo during my Carefree Art show. It has sold

“Great Grey Owl” scratchboard courtesy of photograph by Birgit Meyer. 8 x 8″ and scratched with tattoo needles and scalpel blade.SOLD.

Small Treasures – A portrait of a red-breasted nuthatcher clutching a sunflower seed prompted me to name this “Small Treasures”. I was able to get the fine detail in the feathers by using tattoo needles to scratch out each little line. Painting was based on photo by Russ Bridges. This picture is float mounted inside a copper colored wood frame that complements the coppery color of the feathers. SOLD. Prints are available.

Pelican Study – I was interested in the depth and detail that this pelican portrait needed to portray the intricate feathering. The eyes and bill were the first part I painted so that this character seemed to be watching as his body formed. The lovely lighting showcases the peaches, blues and siennas of light reflecting off of white feathers. Framed original is 8 x 10 and prints of the same size are both for sale.

Ruffled Feathers – The jewel tones of this parrot’s feathers called out to me and I had to paint this bird. The photo was one I took of this parrot sitting on his owner’s shoulder during a Palm Springs show. The intensity of the color was achieved with watercolor and a lot of very fine scratching with exacto knife and tattoo needles. It is a 10 x 20″ scratchboard/watercolor. This painting has sold.

Vaquero Riata – The antique Spanish riding saddle draped with a riata (lariat) has such intense detailing, you feel that you are in the saddle in that moment. This still life has hours and hours of etching and watercolor time invested in it. Framed in a copper colored wood frame and under museum glass, it has SOLD. Prints and cards are still available.

Dad’s Saddle: This was a commissioned piece from a Dakota couple of their ancestor’s 1910 saddle. The leather embellishments and sheep’s wool were particularly challenging, but turn out beautifully.

Bedtime Ritual – This beautiful moody oil painting is framed in a large ornate 18 x 24 velvet and wood frame. The girls are relaxed and ready for bed. I initially named it “Sisters” but had so many comments that it was mother/daughter or friends, that I changed the name to “Bedtime Ritual”. Giclee’ prints, original, and notecards are for sale.

Misty Marble Mountains – An imaginary place that was influenced by the Marble Mountains of Northern California. Our family would backpack into these amazing and pristine mountains every summer. This is a combination of several peaks and lakes where we would camp. Owned by a collector in So. Oregon. SOLD

Abandoned – I so enjoy painting roads. They just lead the viewers’ eyes around the painting. The car was photographed in Guffey, CO but the landscape is all Southwest. Available for purchase, it is framed in complementary barnwood and under protective glass.

Ol’ Buddies: a lone windmill stands sentinel alongside wild burros. Created in watercolor, this powerful painting evokes pioneer memories of a past era. Available.

Tireless: A companion piece to “Ol’ Buddies”, this tirelessly moving windmill sits near the tireless abandoned car. Watercolors create a soft and richly colored environment to become lost in. Available

Weathered – The stunning sky hangs over a bucolic valley with time-eroded barn and overgrown path. “Weathered” has many connotations in this painting. It is a 16 x 20 watercolor on museum board and protected archivally with UV resistant varnish. Original is still available for purchase.

Simply Birch Leaves – This little 13 x 13 watercolor was meant to be very simplistic. I used my airbrush with watercolor to fill in the background. The original and giclee prints are for sale.

Gossiping Daffodils – This 18 x 22 watercolor of a group of daffodils is stunning with the contrast of cool and warm colors. Original, giclee’ prints and notecards are available.

Brown-Eyed Susans – I know these are called “Black-Eyed Susans” but I painted this in honor of my best friend, Susan, who has brown eyes. The different angles of flowers were fun to plan out and capture with paint. This is a 16 x 20 watercolor. The original is still available along with giclee’ prints and notecards.

Having a Lark – The larkspur is also known as the delphinium. I created the strong contrasting background by putting watercolor in my airbrush. The original, giclee’ prints and notecards are for sale.

Wild Iris Eyes – This framed watercolor showcases the tightly furled buds and transparent petals of the iris. It is a 21 x 19″ painting framed and under protective glass. The original, giclee prints and notecards are for sale.