On the Cover!

Short North Visitors Guide

My recent colored pencil drawing, "Short North Arches", was chosen as the cover art for the official Short North Visitors Guide. (The Short North is a beautiful urban renewal area in Columbus, Ohio, full of galleries, restaurants, pubs and some unique and one-of-a-kind shopping.)

Five years ago, I used to day dream about being an artist (in my mind and others), showing my work somewhere and most especially in the Short North. Well, those daydreams and others have come true (not without some scary, jump-into-the-void moments, though).

This guide had an initial printing of 60,000 copies which are distributed to our local Convention Center, local hotels, local shops, and the airport! Some little exposure for me, huh? What's even better, though, are the kudos I am getting from my peers and friends in the Short North. (That's the real cherry here.)

Now, gotta go and daydream some more......

Short North Arches Finally Finished!

Short North Arches

16 x 20"

Colored Pencil Drawing on Ampersand Pastel Board

I drew this piece right onto the surface of an Ampersand pastel board. After laying down the initial few layers of color, I realized I wasn't going to get the color saturation I wanted, so I used Gamsol to dissolve the wax and "paint" the color deeper into the board. I was then able to go back over the work with more layers of color.

Because I have admired her work for a long time, I asked Nicole Caulfield to share with me how she finishes her work in order to frame it without glass and she generously did just that. Nicole first sprays her work with Lascaux fixitive and then Krylon Kamar Varnish. I ran out and bought both products and am very, very pleased with the results. Thanks, Nicole!

Once I frame this puppy, I plan to show it at Studios on High Gallery in time for the holidays. I'll let you know if it sells! (Or, if you're interested, drop me a note!)