Description:




ACEO Red Squirrel Gouache /Silverpoint ORIG D GRYKA
SFA
'Whitefoot' Red Squirrel Study Silverpoint and Gouache
On 1/8" Gessoed Masonite Panel

2 1/2" X 3 1/2" ACEO Size SILVERPOINT & GOUACHE
(Sharpened silver point and opaque watercolor (gouache) on a gessoed 1/8" masonite panel (ACEO 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" size format), toned with an opaque watercolor or gouache wash. No pencil is used).

This is a little red squirrel with white albino feet, we fondly call 'Whitefoot'. He and his family have lived in the oak trees near my studio window, offering us their lively entertainment over the years. You'll see this little fellow turn up often in my paintings. The gold on the acorns isn't metallic paint, it's actual 24k gold gilding powder--a subtle touch, not too obvious upon viewing, but thought Whitefoot deserved a bit of a treat, even on paper.





MY TURTLE WOODS PROJECT

Hello, thanks for visiting my auction! On April 11th of this year, I set up a tent on land in a nearby forest adjacent to a 63-acre nature preserve north of our home. We affectionately refer to the area as Turtle Woods--a name coined years ago, by our youngest daughter after she spotted a tiny baby snapper walking beneath the pines.

I chose that date to set up camp purposefully--on that same day I was forced to discontinue medication I'd been taking for early-onset Parkinson's disease, due to serious side effects on my vision and more. (I was diagnosed during the same month I had surgery for a brain aneurysm a few years ago, discovered after I had mild strokes).

A round trip walk to my new in-woods art studio is two miles. Almost daily when health allows, my dog Kit (a young Australian Shepherd) and I make the journey to camp. I explore the beautiful forest, fueled by the sense of wonder, beauty, and possibility I imagine most of you share, with your interest in art about nature and animals.

This new outdoor art project has been a wonderful incentive to stay active--creative medicine for body and soul, full of hope and good distractions from the difficult side of a progressive illness. This opportunity to share my art and adventure with you, as viewers and collectors, is wonderful motivation and an incentive I am deeply grateful for. I'll be thinking of you as I wind my way through these woods, or sit in camp or back in my home studio sketching and painting, excited to bring what I discover your way.

I do this with an appreciation of those of you experiencing your own or a loved one's health issues. I give a nod to my family and friends, our medical caregivers through the years, and especially our children, including our twenty-two year old daughter Lauren who inspires us daily with her love and light. She is now cancer free seven years this spring, after being on treatment for brain and spine tumors since the age of four. In spite of many disabilities, including being legally blind, Lauren draws beautiful angels, sharing her view of the world with a vision that reveals she sees very clearly what is truly important.

Since her first hospital visits, we've had family t-shirts with the motto "Attitude is Everything". Thank you for your part in helping me keep mine as Lauren would have it! You all help keep me on the high road. My dog and I will do our best to walk it, while keeping all of you in mind.

Kindest regards,
Deborah

P.S. I've included various photos of Kit, camp and family in the auction pictures. I'll post a few new ones in each auction. A big thanks to everyone in the ALA Group (Animal Lover's Art) My friends in this wonderful artist's group are the source of much inspiration, enthusiasm, and knowledge! Their art work is lovely, remember to check out ALA group events. There are new events weekly you don't want to miss. Check out the ALA Feast on the first of each month. I also participate in the monthly NibbleFest on the 20th of each month. Find this themed contest by typing in NFAC. I recently joined AHAO, American Holiday Artist's Ornaments. I haven't tried my hand at woodcarving or woodcuts, since my health issues, but plan on trying again soon--watch for upcoming news.




SILVERPOINT AND GOUACHE
Silverpoint has a lovely warm tone, and rich delicate detail. It is difficult to scan, due to the reflective quality of metalpoint. Subtle linework and shading are more evident in the actual drawing. It works nicely paired with gouache, an opaque watercolor medium. This technique is labor intensive, but rewarding--each drawing requires hours of work, and dozens of layers, as the silver and color washes are slowly built up to achieve the look I am after. Silverpoint, as with other metalpoint drawings, radiates a soft luminosity. Over time it takes on an anticipated warm brownish hue. I like the fragile impression these works on paper give, but actually metalpoint is one of the most archival methods of drawing available. Historical pieces from the late Medieival Period through the Renaissance have survived to the present without damage due to the permanence of the materials. This can be framed, stored in archival plastic sleeves, or between thin paper. Care must be taken with the watercolor and gouache surface, keeping it away from moisture.




Be sure to watch my auctions for special pricing during the group theme events and contests! You're welcome to email me for the weekly and monthly details.

I don't take commissions at this time, but welcome your ideas for a "subject or theme wish list", particular animal, etc. I'll add them to my idea board and will be happy to email you when I include them in auctions.


Thanks for looking! Check out my other auctions! You're welcome to email me with any questions.

My eBay groups include:

ALA (Animal Loving Artists)
AHAO (American Holiday Artist's Ornaments)
NibbleFest Art Contest
PAAO (Professional Animal Artists Online)
SFA (Small Format Art)
ATC & ACEO Enthusiasts
The Artist's Gallery
Raven
OSWOA Artist's Group
Art Squared

Thanks for stopping to look at my art!
These are one of a kind originals--no two are the same.
I reserve the right to make prints, or sell similar work, and often create subjects in a series. I prefer not to make prints of the actual originals I auction unless I give advance notice to the bidders, and to this date have not sold prints of auctioned originals. These are studies done in a series, in the future I'll have prints available from larger paintings of a variety of these subjects. I retain all reproduction and copyright rights to my work. © Deborah K. Gryka 2008

Check out my other auctions! I work in several mediums, offering a range of prices according to subject, technique, and group events.

Beware of Second Chance Offer scams, always verify with the seller if contacted.
More of the details: I accept Paypal only.
Please note: Shipping and handling is actual, just what it costs me. I add no seller fees, these pieces take me hours and I wouldn't be able to replace the same item, so Insurance is included in the shipping and handling.
I also add delivery confirmation: 4.60 flat rate + 1.65 insurance + .65 delivery confimation =6.90 Please email me for other shipping options such as UPS or the possibility of combining shipping on multiple items.
I appreciate your support of my work! Thanks for looking!