Its been a year since Black Thumb Art closed its Oregon studio. We traveled to the East Coast, Egypt, and Turkey before relocating in Spokane. While the new charcoal studio is being built, I’ve been working with different media and processes.
For several years I’ve collected photos from the sports section of the local newspaper; images that remind me of religious Mannerist paintings with their twisting figures, mouths agape, and heavenward glances. Before moving, I scanned and printed several of these photos onto paper. I’ve been experimenting with them since, layering opaque watercolor (gouache) and gold leaf over the images.
Recently I used this process in a book I submitted to The Sketchbook Project, part of the permanent collection at the Brooklyn Art Library and one of the largest collections of sketchbooks in the world.
My book, Angels in Egypt, has been chosen to be part of The Sketchbook Project’s Mobile Library tour this summer. You can check it out (literally) if you are in one of the tour cities, beginning this weekend in Chicago’s Millennium Park. The tour ends August 28th, back in New York at the Whitney Museum. Here is a link to the full tour schedule.
If you can’t make it to one of these cities, Here is a link to the scanned version of Angels in Egypt.
“Angels in Egypt” pages 19-20. Colored pencils, Gelly Roll and Micron Pigma pens.
Scanned pic from the Corvallis Gazette Times
Black Thumb Tales 
It’s so good to hear what you’ve been up to! What a great project!
Thanks Gale, It was really fun! As usual I’ve been lurking -following your progress with the Halsey Installation. I’ve always loved your cut paper work and look forward to viewing the finished project…and I’m going to try your technique of cutting with the aid of magnification!
Hi Elaine,
It is good to hear from you and find out what you have been doing. You went to Egypt, Turkey and New York-wow! I had a feeling that you had moved since I did not hear from Black Thumb tales for a long time. Good to see the interesting and compelling work.
I have been doing a series of paintings and etchings of our travels in Alaska for the last two summers. The 2015 paintings are on my website.
I hope all is well.
Greg
Good to hear from you Greg! I enjoyed catching up with the work on your website, and your gorgeous black, white, and gray etchings are my favorites.