Crows in Wintertime

Gothed up and going out. Yes, the creature on my neck is real. It is a vintage fox pelt (1920s) complete with feet and tail.

“The Hunting Whippoorwills” 2009, 11”x11”, scratchboard and watercolor

“Then too, the natives are mortally afraid of the numerous whippoorwills which grow vocal on warm nights. It is vowed that the birds are psychopomps lying in wait for the souls of the dying, and that they time their eerie cries in unison with the sufferer’s struggling breath. If they can catch the fleeing soul when it leaves the body, they instantly flutter away chittering in daemoniac laughter; but if they fail, they subside gradually into a disappointed silence.”

H.P. Lovecraft

“The Dunwich Horror”

“Death”

An interpretation of the Death tarot card I did in grad school some years ago in New York City. Scratchboard and watercolor. This piece is also HUGE! 16”x32”.

Just took this photo. That dark spot on my cheek is Hank, my little tumor/cyst/monster. He was a lot bigger a month or two ago, but has since gotten smaller. Yay?

“Quid me Nutrit me Destruit”

Latin proverb meaning “that which nourishes me also destroys me”. Has obvious connotations to drug and alcohol abuse, but in my case, it was a heartful of misguided feelings that were not reciprocated. The ordeal ultimately emotionally hamstrung me, but also inspired me to make new pieces fueled by the acute pain. As such, it nourished, and destroyed me.

Mixed media on clay panel, 8”x10”. This is more watercolor than scratchboard, so I will not mark it as a scratchboard piece.

“A Corgi Dressed as a Wizard Doing Magic on a Corgi Dressed as a Bee”

Commission done in 2005 for a friend. My first full watercolor/scratchboard hybrid, and my first glimpse into the Abyss.

The Willow Branch

Created in 2009 from a dream of swiftness and running, this hare holds a red-leafed willow branch as she flees from an unknown threat. Scratchboard, watercolor, and a touch of gouache. Approximately 8.5”x10.5”.

“I Have a Lonely Heart”

This rat is very sad. I started making these rats last year after having a few dreams of myself as a rat. I am still making rats now.

Scratchboard, about 6”x10” I think

This piece has an interesting name. I sometimes title it “Crow with Rope”, but its “true” name is “Are You Ready To Go Now”, inspired by the Coil song “Going Up”. Listen closely, and you’ll hear Jhon Balance asking “Are you ready to go now?” at the very beginning of the track

I listened to this song extensively during a time of transition when I made this piece, and as such, it represents a time of transition in my own life. The rope, with both of its ends visibly cut, represent transportation into a new sphere of consciousness, with the crow as a vehicle.

Scratchboard and watercolor 5”x7”

Giant Squid

I made this piece when I was in graduate school in New York some years ago. It is a giant squid eating (or being eaten by, perhaps) a small whale. A good friend owns this piece now. Scratchboard and watercolor 8”x10”.