LORI DUNN SCRATCHBOARD ART
promoting conservation through artistic efforts
High Maintenance
11 x 14
SOLD
This past February I was able to spend more time birding in South Carolina, spending warm lazy days near the swamps watching gators and waterfowl from early morning to late afternoon. There is something magical about spending time in one spot, just waiting to see what appears, or watching animals go about their daily routine. Such was the case while I watched great egrets and herons, nesting, feeding and preening. As an artist I’m very aware that certain animals tend to be extensively represented in artworks, but perhaps there is a reason for that? We often develop connections between iconic species and sense of place. Great egrets are a good example of this. They have certainly become a symbol of the languid gracefulness and beauty of the Eastern marshes and swamps, their delicate, showy presence reminiscent of a regal Southern belle. Watching this individual delicately groom those long plumes was enchanting. The backlighting made it even more spectacular to witness. The goal here was to mimic that glow without compromising the clay layer of the board by over scratching. Knowing when to stop is as important as knowing where to begin!
