Patrice Plank loves a simple black background. The artist adds intricate scratches and detailed white herons emerge from the clayboard.
Plank, a showcase artist at Sooke Harbour House for October and November, has spent more than a decade etching out nature pieces.
Wildlife and nature are Plank’s favourite inspirations, often relaying moments with owls, humming birds and eagles witnessed outside her Metchosin home.
“I’ve seen bald eagle pairs teaching their babies to fly,” said Plank indicating a piece titled “For Life” showing a family of four eagles.
“I follow my heart, I have really tried to develop my own style,” she said.
Her canvas is a masonite board covered with white clay covered in a layer of black Indian ink.
“I lightly scratch at the surface with dental tools, Exacto knife or anything small and sharp, but it doesn’t sound romantic when you say it like that,” Plank said.
Once the image is scratched onto the board, Planks adds just a touch of colour using acrylic paint.
Originally working in oil and acrylics, she went to a friend’s house one day and admired what she learned was scratch art.
“I went out and bought some clayboard the next day and started,” Plank said. “I did oil painting for years and I really love adding detail to my pieces, but I was never satisfied with the level of detail I was getting.”
Using depth and texture techniques, Plank feels she has found the level she always strived for.
Plank is a full-time artist with work in several galleries in Greater Victoria. Her two-month showcase in Sooke begins with a reception Oct. 6 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sooke Harbour House, 1528 Whiffin Spit. Rd. in Sooke.