Matalyn Gardner grew up on a farm in East Texas and then spent her career with Dallas Water Utilities. After early retirement, turning a lifetime of interest in writing into working as a photo-journalsit, a love of photography took hold.

In 1999, Matalyn moved from Dallas to her home on the East Verde River north of Payson, Arizona. "With the beauty of the Arizona landscape and wildlife surrounding me, I spent my free time with a camera in hand, documenting and enjoying the life and beauty of the area." She was introduced to digital photography and soon began showing photos locally and developing brochures and pamphlets for the local business homeowners association and artists and businesses.

Matalyn's desire is to portray the excitement and love of life that comes from being surrounded by the beauty of the land and the people.

Matalyn's work can also be seen on display at Myra's Gallery in Pine, Arizona.

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Angela Cockle, a native of England, is proud of recently becoming an American citizen. She has traveled much of the world, always keeping her artist eye focused keenly on itʼs wildlife, forever seeking just the right animal, the right pose and emotion to capture on scratchboard.

Angieʼs other talents include watercolor and pen & ink. She was an exhibitor recently at the Phoenix Peace Conference. Her work is in collections worldwide.

Angie received her formal training from the Art Institute of Minnesota and has also studied under several famous artists.

Well known for her pet portraits, she continues to fulfill her clientʼs wishes by capturing the soul and emotion of their special pet.

You may reach Angie by appointment at her studio overlooking the East Verde River.

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What is Scratchboard?

"Scratchboard" is a technique blending the precision of drawing, the detail of engraving and the hues of painting into a single piece of artwork.

The original scratchboard art was done in black and white only, but now boards of hardboard coated in white clay and perfectly inked are used. Most artists prefer to buy pre-inked boards.

With conte crayon, a rough sketch of the image is made on the board. Then with sharp, knife-life scratchboard tools, which must be kept very sharp, the image is defined. Areas between the lines must be filled with hundreds of scratches. When the image is complete, it is then sprayed with a workable fixative to protect the inked areas. Angie uses a water-based paint (gouache) to blend all the colors of nature into her artwork. It is finally varnished for protection.

Hopefully, this explanation will help you understand what went into the artwork you are viewing.