New ACEO - Watchful Chaucer

"Chaucer" - Pencil on Bristol, ACEO format - 2.5" x 3.5"
You can see an in-progress photo here


Photo provided by Chaucer's owner. I cropped it just a bit to fit the ACEO format.

Although I'm happy to say that Chaucer's owner will be buying this drawing, it wasn't a commissioned piece. Chaucer's owner is one of my Twitter followers and she posted a photo of him one day. The very striking photo really caught my eye, so I asked permission to use it for a drawing reference. As I always do when I use someone's photo for a "spec" drawing (one that isn't for a client), I offer the photographer first option to buy, but I let them know that there's absolutely no obligation. If she hadn't wanted to purchase the drawing, I would've given her a print and note card as thanks for letting me use the photo. Then I would've listed the original on-line in my Bonanzle booth or framed it and put it at the Auburn Old Town Gallery.

One of the many reasons I enjoy working on ACEO format drawings (ACEO = Art Cards, Editions & Originals) is that they're small and portable. If I'm not able (due to mood or time constraints) to tackle one of my larger in-progress pet portraits, I can put in a bit of time on an ACEO while sitting on the couch, waiting for an oil change, hanging out at Dad's house, etc. All I need is a couple of pencils, a sharpener, an eraser, my reading glasses and a small scrap of matboard as a support. I'm always looking for reference photos (even though I have tons of my own) that will make interesting ACEO subjects and I'm always grateful to those who allow me to use their photos.

Interested in an ACEO-sized portrait of your pet? Click here to find out more.

Note cards of Chaucer are available on Bonanzle.

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Urban the Orangutan

My latest drawing is of Urban, an adult male Sumatran orangutan. He was born at the Sacramento Zoo and lived there until his death in February of this year. He was 28 years old. This press release was issued at the time of his death.


Urban - ink on scratchboard (Ampersand Claybord), 4" x 4"

I was not aware that he was ill; I began this drawing a few weeks prior to his passing, so it has special meaning. Even as I type this, I'm getting misty eyed. Urban was a charismatic ape and a wonderful ambassador for his species. He is greatly missed by Zoo staff and visitors. It's been nearly 20 years, but I worked at the Sacramento Zoo as Volunteer/Events Coordinator, so the Zoo and its denizens are near and dear to my heart.


My photo of Urban


Photo cropped to 4" x 4" format


Greyscale version of the cropped photo


A detail of the drawing

I had to take some artistic license on this drawing. The area around his eyes is pretty dark in the photo so I lightened it up to show his eyes better. I didn't try to replicate every hair tangle/strand, but I think I effectively showed the flow and direction of the whole mass (mess?).

This drawing is not yet for sale, I still have to frame it and am trying to decide on the best way to do that. Since I used Claybord (smooth textured, white) for this one - it's a 1/8" thick board with the clay on the top surface - framing is a bit more complex than with the thinner weight scratchboard I usually use. I think I'll float mount it so that none of the drawing is covered by a mat (the drawing goes right to the edges of the board). I just need to make a trip to my favorite local frame shop for some advice. I do my own framing, but have some questions about how best to tackle this one and what materials to use.

Once it's framed, I'll hang it in the Auburn Old Town Gallery.

RIP Urban, we miss you big guy!

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New Art: Muggs the Pug . . . and a Goat

My latest ACEO (2.5" x 3.5" small format drawing) is a pencil drawing of Muggs the pug. Now, don't get me wrong, I like pugs, they're funny dogs with lots of character and they love their people . . . but really . . . I have to say they are not the most attractive dogs. And dear Muggs, well, let's just say she had a face only a mother could love. Muggs passed away a while ago, but I was able to meet her and take some photos a few months before she passed. She was a very sweet dog who belonged to friends of my Dad. They have been so good to him, I wanted to give them a gift of a portrait of Muggs.


My photo of Muggs


The same photo cropped to ACEO format

Another new drawing is this small ink on scratchboard pygmy goat. It's only 2.5" x 2.5" - mainly because a 4" x 4" piece of Claybord I had was defective on two of its sides. I didn't want to throw it out, so I just used the center.



I'll have the framed drawing with me on Thursday night (June 11, 6 - 9 pm) at the Auburn Art Walk. If it doesn't sell that night, I'll hang it at the Auburn Old Town Gallery. For the Art Walk, I've put together a show of works from students that have taken my ink on scratchboard classes. I'll also have my drawing of a pinto filly in the scratchboard show. The show runs for two months - until the next Art Walk in October. The scratchboard work will be at Dancing Dog Productions, 1101 High Street. Other locations in Old Town and Downtown Auburn (CA) will feature art by other local/regional artists.


Click here to see my previous blog post about this drawing.

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One More Moon Bear Drawing

UPDATE - 6/6/09 - the original drawing didn't sell on eBay, so I've moved it to my Bonanzle booth. Click on the image to see the listing.

This ACEO pencil drawing of "Hans" is now available on eBay. Click the image to see the auction listing.


"Hans" - 2.5" x 3.5" pencil drawing

Although it doesn't say in the listing (because eBay is touchy about charity listings, and I don't have an official letter from the charitable organization), I will donate &8 of the final sale price of "Hans" to Animals Asia Foundation to benefit their moon bear rescue efforts. You can read more about AAF in my previous post.

I listed my other moon bear ACEOs (see previous post) on ArtByUs, but I've decided to go back to eBay for this one. Although I like ArtByUs and there are no listing or commission fees, there's also no traffic. My drawing of Rosie has a bid, but that's it - disappointing to say the least. That bid is only because of a moon bear fan who had asked to be notified when that drawing became available. I'm trying to raise money to help the bears, so let's hope this new drawing sees a bit more action. If you'd like to buy other moon bear art, please visit my Bonanzle booth where I have reproductions of my Hans and Rosie drawings and the original Lia drawing.



This is the reference photo of Hans - provided by AAF.

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Art for the Moon Bears - Now Available

NOTE - added 6/11/09 - The Rosie and Lia originals have sold.

These two ACEO drawings of Moon Bears are now available at auction on Art By Us. The auctions run through May 27th (ending at 7pm CST) - click on either image to see the auction listing. I'll donate 50% of the proceeds to Animals Asia Foundation (AAF).


"Rosie", 2.5" x 3.5" mixed media drawing


"Lia", 3.5" x 2.5" scratchboard & watercolor drawing

As I've written in previous posts, I joined the Ursa Freedom Project group to help raise funds for AAF's Moon Bear rescue efforts. All along, I'd planned to create some art of Moon Bears to sell on-line. In addition to these two drawings, I have a pencil drawing nearly finished and I may do a small square painting. I also have note cards and 2 sizes of reproduction print of the Rosie image on Bonanzle.


UFP's purpose is to raise awareness and funds for the bears rescued from bile farms in China & Vietnam. UFP is working directly with AAF to support their efforts to rescue and provide sanctuary for these charismatic bears. Click here for the Press Release from UFP.





If you're not interested in the art, but would still like to help the bears, you can make a donation via PayPal.

Thank you!

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