Stardust (2004)    

Artist Note: In kindergarten, we used to cover a sheet of paper entirely with one crayon; then cover over that with another color, and then another until the paper had about six layers of crayon. With an ice cream stick we made marks using different pressures, which revealed, to our delight, Technicolor art. It was like magic. In hindsight, I believe everybody (for better or worse) can rediscover these moments of memory that possibly may have been a small pivot to where they stand (or sit) at 8:31 pm tonight. Scratch Art Paper is glossy white or black or fluorescent papers that come in pads of a dozen and available at hobby ships, K-mart, Kids (or Toys)-R-Us, Wal-mart, and probably real art stores. Usually a few bucks, pads contain a dozen sheets and wooden stylus -a pencil without the graphite. They can produce thin lines or wide (using the sloped edge) and like the crayon papers, there are layers of color revealing themselves according to your pressure. I have used many "cheap" techniques in my classes which produce wealthy effects, if only as a springboard for new ideas a visions. To make a beholder a better human being for experiencing such has nothing to go with handmade paper or expensive tools.

Multicolor Scratch-Art Paper, drawing tool. Added: ballpoint pens, gel pens, gouache, Tape nibs, pointed brush, Dover Pictorial Archive line art, pencil, colored pencils. 8 1/2 X 14"

Publications &: Exhibitions: University of Iowa, "The Daily Palette"