Etch A Sketch

I became interested in the possibilities of the Etch-A-Sketch as a medium several years ago.

The Etch-A-Sketch offers a number of unique challenges and opportunities to the artist. The medium in some ways is a very demanding one, in that there is no way to erase a misstep, except to start over. In addition, the entire drawing consists of one continuous line, requiring a fair amount of planning and eliminating the possibility of drawing completely isolated structures.

The works are made permanent by simply removing the aluminum powder from the Etch-A-Sketch and securing the knobs.

My choice of the female form was driven by both the limitations and strengths of the Etch-A-Sketch medium. The forms are simple and readily recognizable, compensating for the inherently limited contrast of the screen. I enjoy the challenge of making drawings of natural, curving shapes on a medium whose primary strength is drawing straight lines at right angles. And of course the female form is innately interesting...