Photo of Magicgroove Studio by Crystal Chatham/The Desert Sun

Scamp

March 13, 2025

Scamp
2024. Acrylic, charcoal, paper on linen. 11 x 14 in.

It’s been a bit much, hasn’t it? These past few weeks? I thought it was time for a little color, a little lift, a little…relief.

This collage is from last fall. I confess my most recent work hasn’t been quite this lighthearted. Not surprisingly. In fact, I was out of the studio entirely for a couple weeks, working on the, shall we say, national disaster. But I had to get back in there on at least a minimal basis, just to keep my head straight and my spirits up. It helps.

Scamp is actually on linen instead of my usual cotton canvas, and I didn’t apply any texturing as I typically do with these collages. So it’s pretty smooth, almost glassy with the varnish applied. Quite a different feel. Why linen? I had had the linen canvas sitting around for a while and decided it was time to experiment. Will I do it again? Maybe.

I really love Scamp. I love the pile of color. It feels very buoyant. We could use a little buoyancy right now, don’t you think?

Scamp and more works by me and other desert artists are on view at Desert Art Center in Palm Springs through March 30. The next show will open on April 4 with reception 5-7 pm. Life does go on. At least for now.

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