Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Legendary Master Scratchboard artist . . .

Norman Gaddini was a well-known and respected professional artist from Sonoma County, California. Acknowledged as a Sonoma County (California) living treasure, he was vital and active, even at 96 years young, until his passing on June 1, 2007. Besides being a prolific artist whose extraordinary skill and technique was consistently evolving, he grew breathtaking fuchsias, was an active member of several organizations, and worked for hours maintaining his extensive garden every day.

What is so extraordinary about his art? Norman worked in several media: watercolor, acrylics, pen and ink, and scratchboard. But, it was his “scratching” that brought him the most recognition. It started in 1975 when Norman was the first artist to add full color to black scratchboard. Nowadays, his work graces collections around the world.


Meadow Scence (18"x 24" colored scratchboard)

Sunset over the Ocean (24" x 18" colored scratchboard)

“Diekmann’s General Store, Tomales”
(24" x 18" black and white scratchboard)


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12 comments:

  1. AnonymousSeptember 13, 2011 at 4:57 PM

    That seems so cool, but i feel kind of sad that he died in 2007.

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  2. Live Art, Breathe ArtSeptember 13, 2011 at 9:01 PM

    He lives on through his work that is displayed around the world. :)

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  3. SamanthaPeanuttbutter(:September 14, 2011 at 7:57 AM

    If this guy is all about water color I like him already:D The pink trees are my favorite! he was 96?! jeez-samantha batt 8th period class

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  4. Live Art, Breathe ArtSeptember 14, 2011 at 9:47 AM

    @Samantha
    Gaddini worked in both watercolor and scratchboard. The images that are on this blog post were created used scratchboard. :)

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  5. mauro.rangelSeptember 14, 2011 at 3:58 PM

    this is amazizingg ,

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  6. Jisela CruzOctober 1, 2011 at 12:23 PM

    i love the color artist Norman Gaddini added on his Meadow Scence and the Sunset over the Ocean scratchboard. he really had an amazing talent.

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  7. DeeeOctober 3, 2011 at 8:44 PM

    Only if I new how to paint like this it's a daww droper

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  8. Robbie GarciaOctober 5, 2011 at 8:57 PM

    It's so sick how he does this so much detail! My personal experience with this I have to say it's pretty hard and I bet it took him so much time! It paid off!

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  9. meganOctober 13, 2011 at 10:20 AM

    i love doing scratch board. its just hard for me to get a hang on it. but i love how it makes all diferent colors.

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  10. Leigh LedbetterOctober 14, 2011 at 4:49 PM

    Amazing artwork, I would love to do a project similar.

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  11. Da Don Da DaOctober 20, 2011 at 2:27 PM

    every cool art

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  12. antonieta solorzanoOctober 21, 2011 at 12:42 PM

    ow my gosh i love this guy i know him i love his art.he is a good man.

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