Wild Thing

A note from the artist-

Wild Thing was my first major piece on scratchboard. Previous to my special ordering this 36×36 inch board, 24×36 was the largest available to the general artistic public. Previous to Ampersands new scratchboard, EssDee scraperboard was only available 18×24 inches. As a challenge I decided to try to capture motion using the mane of this magnificent animal. It was a Morgan horse and I have long since forgotten who owned it, if I ever knew. I taught myself to layer the sections of the mane from the furthest to the rear forward. It too almost 9 layers of cutting then painting then cutting accent lighting on each one, overcutting in multiple directions. The main body had to be totally completed before I even attempted the mane. On top of the technical details, I wanted to capture the proud but defiant spirit I was practicing at that time.

It all came back for me because the piece sold on it’s first showing for what I thought was an impossible price. The buyer has gone on to be a large collector and her daughter likewise has started collecting. She also is a partner in the Artists Agency I now use. I have gone on to interpret this spirit in 3 dimensions as my second Bronze.

Sally Maxwell