Power at Peace

"Power at Peace"
9x12" on black Scratchbord™
From my own reference photo taken at the Toledo Zoo this past summer.

This artwork won an Honorable Mention award in drawing at the Bedford Arts for Our Future show, Bedford, Michigan.


The photo session that day had a memorable moment. I was standing inside the 3 sided glass viewing area with my back against the glass as I waited, camera up, for one of the tigers to walk towards me as he paced his enclosure. I heard a thump behind me and when I turned around a minute or so later there was a muddy foot print smeared down the glass beginning right where the back of my head was. One of the other tigers had hoped for lunch - me!

Tiger: Power and Peace

This fellow is from one of my zoo photos this spring. I really love the pose and the way his head is resting on his paw. It is a 9x12" scratchboard on black Ampersand board. My largest one so far. It went along very well for a bigger board and I really enjoyed doing it.
Right now I'm working in color on the Amazon set, but I'm looking forward to doing more black and white. I can't even imagine adding color to this one.

Holding Court

"Holding Court" 2014
7x5" scratchboard on black Ampersand board
Colored with Ampersand inks
From my own reference photo
Done mostly with a #11 scalpel blade and light use of a fiberglass brush to soften fur in some places.