LORI DUNN SCRATCHBOARD ART
promoting conservation through artistic efforts
Zigzag
9 x 12
SOLD
Sometimes you have a plan, and sometimes you don't. This piece evolved as I worked on it and at times seemed to drive itself. Originally I was going to do a small board of one warbler but my brain argued with me and I decided on a pair, male and female. Black and white warblers ( Mniotilta varia) have always endeared themselves to me. Like little flying zebras, they seemed to be the perfect subject for a scratchboard. This species feeds on insects, typically winding their way around a tree trunk, seeking bugs in the bark crevices.
Adding the moth was a decision made part way through the artwork. The zigzag moth (Panthea acronyctoides) uses conifers as their host species, in this case white cedar. Using another graphically patterned animal within the artwork seemed counter intuitive, but as I mentioned, this piece seemed to be calling the shots without me. The name of the moth also reminded me of the way the birds zigzag around the tree foraging and thus the pattern of lighting evolved on this theme also. Challenging myself by allowing the elements to form as I work is important in artistic development but is also somewhat stressful, and doubt plagued me through the entire process. I fought through it and I'm happy with the results.
