Ampersand Art Supply, Inc.1235 S Loop 4, Suite 400Buda, TX 78610800-822-1939www.ampersandart.comfacebook.com/ampersandfans // @ampersand_art

Celebrating 20 years through art

Anniversary Exhibition 2014

Since 1994

Cover: Below the Surface by Daniel Arredondo, acrylic on Gessobord™, 12x48 inchesAustin, TX // arredondoartstudio.com

Wild Side, India Ink on Claybord™, 20x16 inches

Charles EwingAntonito, CO // charlesewing.com

It’s hard to imagine 20 years have passed since the first Claybord™ panels were launched into the US market. And, it’s even harder to imagine that from the small shed in Colorado where Charles Ewing first concocted his formula for Claybord, a new category of product would be created for the art supply industry. Yet, we know that this creative journey called “Ampersand” is one that is shared by so many hearts and hands. We are so grateful for those early pioneering artists who tried our panels and for all the artists who have helped us refine each surface that comprises the Ampersand family of “bords”. We are forever indebted to those handful of angels like Lee Walker, Jennifer Vickers, and Brandon Janes who believed in our dream and gave of their time, support, and funds as we launched this panel business in 1994. To Barbara Ewing, Robert Tavarez, Kathy Henderson and Scott Bryant, our original partners who launched Ampersand, thanks for all the hard work it took in those early years. To our sales team, distribution partners and retail customers, both large and small, we thank you for your loyalty, patience, and support. We especially thank those retailers like Allen Shefts, who took that first leap of faith and placed that first order that launched Claybord into the market. As we celebrate the opening of our art gallery and move into our new manufacturing facility in Buda, we are so very thankful to Perry Lorenz, First State Bank of Central Texas, Accion Texas/SBA, and the Buda EDC for their financial backing and belief in small business. And, to our new community in Buda, thanks for welcoming and supporting us. We also thank our wonderful hard working employees for your daily dedication to our company. Finally, thank you to the many incredibly talented artists around the world who create their works of art on Ampersand’s “bords”. Your creativity fuels ours. Thanks for coming with us on this journey!

Elaine, Charlie, & Edwin

Thank you.

©2014 All images, artwork, and texts in this booklet are original, intellectual and creative property of Ampersand Art Supply and the artists represented. No reproduction of any kind is allowed without written permission. All rights reserved.

And now, a few artists thatadd color to Ampersand.

Jeanne RheaSanford, NC // jeannerhea.com

“Ampersand Claybord™ has been my primary board when painting with alcohol and acrylic inks. The clay coating is consistently smooth providing the flow that the inks require in order to obtain the desired designs. The porosity of the substrate allows the right absorption that is necessary to create unique elements with the inks when working wet on wet. I have found no other substrate that has both of these particular conditions that are required to create a wide variety of patterns.”

Infinite Joy, Alcohol, acrylic, metallic and pearlescent inks, Resin with UV inhibitor on Claybord™, 40x30 inches

Linda SheetsFayetteville, AR // blue-eyedponystudio.com

“Having tried every form of scratchboard available, and being disappointed with many, Ampersand Scratchbord™ is still the best product I’ve found. It responds beautifully to my tools, inks and other assorted mediums that I use to embellish. The fact that it’s also archival and acid free is the icing on the cake for me. I use only Ampersand products.”

The Gathering, Scratchbord™ with Claybord™ Inks, 8x8 inches

Brigitte WaldschmidtGermany // brigitte-waldschmidt.de

“I enjoy working on Ampersand panels as I have been able to create a very special drawing style with the high flow colors and the airbrush colors on the boards. It is only possible on Ampersand’s great boards!”

Nordlicht, Mixed Media on Gessobord™, 70x100 cm

David BjurstromAustin, TX // davidbjurstrom.com

“I am always looking for ways to push the boundaries of graphite pencil. Claybord™ has been the foundation of these explorations, allowing me to move in directions I might never have imagined.”

Shadowplay, Graphite on Claybord™, 36x72 inches (6 panels)

Michael IrelandCary, IL // irelandwatercolors.com

“It isn’t too often in an artists life that the materials they work with alone can have such an impact on their approach and the story they wish to interpret. Working with Aquabord™ and Ampersand has done just that.”

Power, Watercolor on Aquabord™, 45x90 inches (triptych)

Ginny HerzogSt Louis Park, MN // ginnyherzog.com

“I have been using Ampersand’s panels since 1994. Originally a watercolor painter, I was looking for a surface that I could paint on that didn’t need to be under glass. I fell in love with the surface after they developed Claybord Textured (now Aquabord™) for watermedia.”

Relic 13-412, Oil, cold wax medium, collage, and drawing on Gessobord™, 26x32 inches

Laura MoriartyRosendale, NY // lauramoriarty.com

“The work exhibited is from a series that was inspired by earth science textbook diagrams of cut-aways of terrain. The Encausticbord™ panels were the perfect platform for this work, giving my messy, process-oriented experiments a clean, porous foundation.”

Plateau, Oil and encaustic on Encausticbord™, 8x8 inches

Gregory EltringhamSavannah, GA // gregoryeltringham.com

“The versatility, quality, and consistency is unmatched. Ampersand panels have played a large role in transforming my painting practice since I began using them in 2008 and have since become my surfaces of choice. The convenience has allowed me to focus on my painting and less on preparation.”

Urchin, Acrylic on Gessobord™, 30x30 inches

Cheryl FinfrockAustin, TX // cherylfinfrock.com

“My newest body of work is on Ampersand Claybord™, and I find this material responsive and hardy. I also love working on a material that is made both locally and sustainably.”

Gentleman’s Agreement, Acrylic on Claybord™, 30x30 inches

Scott GellatlyPortland, OR // scottgellatly.com

“Ampersand Gessobord™ has supported my work beautifully for years. The subtle texture and absorbency is a pleasure to paint on and the surface lets the lusciousness of the oil paint speak directly to the viewer.”

Prelude to Spring, Oil on Gessobord™, 12x12 inches

John MercadoAustin, TX // jcmercado.22@gmail.com

“What is there to say? Ampersand boards are the best surfaces to work on! No matter what medium you work with, there’s a surface for you.”

Battle At The Orchard, Mixed media and collage on Gessobord™, 26 1/4 x 25 3/4 inches

Steve HanksAlbuquerque, NM // stevehanks.info

“Aquabord™ has truly revolutionized watercolor painting! Colors come out richer; darks are darker; and there is a consistency in quality that I have never found with watercolor paper.”

Field of Dreams, Watercolor on Aquabord™, 39 3/4 x 19 1/2 inches

Sally MaxwellLaGrange, TX // sallymaxwell.com

“Ampersand brought new life to scratchboard art with the introduction of their boards. The mere size alone was a huge improvement. The durability of the surface allows for extreme removal techniques and revolutionizes the way it is used.”

Spotted, Scratchbord™ with Claybord inks, metallic markers and 14K gold leaf, 60x18 inches

Mark MeunierConway, MA // rmichelson.com

“I began painting in egg tempera in the late 70’s and spent days preparing my own boards. Even with all that time and prep, tiny pin holes would appear making them useless. Then came Claybord™ and I never looked back.”

The Old Road, Egg Tempera on Claybord™, 17x24 inches

Louise LeBourgeoisChicago, IL // louiselebourgeois.com

“I paint exclusively on Claybord™ now. The surface is exquisite. I so appreciate that Ampersand makes Claybord with an artist’s attention to detail, allowing me to conserve my energy for my painting.”

Windy Day Seahorse Clouds #532, Oil on Claybord™, 18x24 inches

Kristy KutchMichigan City, IN // artshow.com/kutch

“I enjoy using Pastelbord™ because it accepts layers of colored pencil and also watermedia, whether I’ve drawn, painted, or even blended with a stiff-bristle brush on it. Pastelbord is sturdy yet also forgiving, allowing me to use an electric eraser for very clean, precise lifting.”

Lupine Lane, Colored pencil, watercolor pencil, and watercolor wax pastel on Pastelbord™, 11x14 inches

Joseph MancusoManhattan Beach, CA // mancusofineart.com

“Pastelbord has been my choice for the past 15 years. It has the perfect sensitivity and durability for a variety of wet and dry, hard and soft pastel applications. It is simply the best surface I have used for pastels and will continue to use for years to come.”

November, Pastels on Pastelbord™, 11x14 inches

Ali CavanaughSt Louis, MO // alicavanaugh.com

“Aquabord™ quickly became my favorite water-media surface because once sealed, my paintings do not need to be covered by glass.”

Accept as True, Watercolor on Aquabord™, 22x30 inches

Neve CavanaughSt Louis, MO // nevecavanaugh.tumblr.com

“Aquabord™ is a surface that makes sense. The paint is workable and removable. It is easy to layer and build depth and detail.”

Parker with Metallic Tape, Watercolor on Aquabord™, 16x20 inches

Karyn Meyer-BerthelBainbridge, NY // karynmeyer.com

“Ampersand panels make it not only easy to start a painting, but enticing. The smooth surface of Gessobord™ calls to be handled, colored, swathed in paint. With the cradled edges, my painting is complete when I’m ready to hang it. I can wrap the art around the edges or create a finish to enhance the work.”

Hopper’s Window, Acrylic dispersion on Gessobord™, 24x24 inches

Shawn CampAustin, TX // shawncamp.net

Shawn Camp’s paintings pare down the idea of landscape to a textured surface of paint that conveys topographic features along with references to boundaries, roads and navigational marks. Ampersand Gessobord™ supports his thick use of paint beautifully.

Motion High and We Don’t Dare, Oil and mixed media on Gessobord™, 30x30 inches

Ken MuenzenmayerBrenham, TX // muenzenmayer.com

“I’ve been painting in acrylics for over 40 years. When I began painting on Ampersand’s Pastelbord™, I discovered I no longer had to prepare my painting surface, for here was a board that did not alter my style of painting, but enhanced it.”

Cypress Shallows, Acrylic on Pastelbord™, 18x24 inches

Karen VernonBrenham, TX // karenvernon.com

“Ampersand panels allow me to challenge myself as an artist, push my media to the max, and know that my substrate is quality and archival. I can get exceptionally radiant color and, in my watercolors, I can present my large-scale works without glass.”

Fortitude, Watercolor on Aquabord™, 22x30 inches

Rebecca CrowellOsseo, WI // rebeccacrowell.com

“The goal in my process is not to render something in paint, but to allow the paint to suggest a path through the work as it develops. I remain in charge of what to keep and what to discard, and how to structure and organize the image.”

El Golfo, Oil and mixed media on Gessobord™, 60x36 inches

Leslie PilgrimMinneapolis, MN // winterberryinc.com

“I love working with Ampersand’s smooth Claybord™. Colors pop and the paint moves around just wonderfully.”

In the Bee Garden, Acrylic paint, gels and pastes on Claybord™, 62x5 inches

Larry PrestonPlainfield, MA // prestonfineart.net

“I have been using Gessobord™ for the past 20 years. It is a very consistent product that I have found to be be exceptionally stable over time. The texture is perfect, pulling just the right amount of paint off my brush.”

Egg and Shells No. 9, Oil on Gessobord™, 7x12 inches

Nick PattenColumbiaville, NY// nickpatten.com

“I’ve been using Ampersand panels for close to 20 years. It is an amazing product and has aided my growth as an oil painter immeasurably. What I have also been impressed by is the incredible consistency of only the best quality. Everyone makes mistakes but I keep waiting for one from Ampersand. 20 years, I’m still waiting.”

Through the Pocket Door, Oil on Gessobord™, 30x20 inches

Amado PenaSanta Fe, NM // penagallery.com

“Ampersand has created the greatest working surfaces in the world.”

Mestizo Series: El Retrato, Mixed media drawing on Gessobord™, 24x48 inches

Kerry SchroederAustin, TX // kerryschroeder.com

“I have been so pleased to find Ampersand panels. Part of my painting technique includes a fair amount of digging, scraping and uncovering, and the strength and rigidity of the panels allow for this process. The quality craftsmanship of the panels makes for a beautiful presentation of my work.”

Coming in Waves, Acrylic on Gessobord™, 30x30 inches

Cynthia MosserPortland, OR // cynthiamosser.com

“Ampersand boards provide me with a pristine surface and exhibition-ready board. The quality is always consistent, and I love the new absorbent Encausticbord™ for use with beeswax.”

Swim Puff (swoop), India ink, acrylic paint, beeswax, oil paint on Claybord™, 12x12 inches

Rock NewcombPayson, AZ // astoriafineart.com/artist/168/Rock-Newcomb/732

“I have used Claybord™ and Aquabord™ for 18 years. No gesso, no stretching, no sanding, no expansion/contraction, no tearing or denting. Claybord is so versatile! I can draw and paint, sand, do sgraffito. I don’t know what I would do without it.”

Red Pizzazz, Acrylic on Claybord™, 9x12 inches (detail)

Sandra Duran WilsonSanta Fe, NM // sandraduranwilson.com

“I have always painted on panels. I started painting on doors that I would find at the thrift stores. When my work came more into demand, I needed a surface that was archival. Ampersand panels are that and more. What I really love are the coatings on the surfaces. When I paint, it is a dance between the surface and the paint, and Ampersand panels are the best dance partners.”

Liquid Assets, Acrylic on Encausticbord™, 48x36 inches

Patricia Baldwin SeggebrushAustralia // pbsartist.com

“Encausticbord™, and all Ampersand products, are my go-to foundations for all creative work because they allow for the deep and wide experimentation I love and for which I have become known. There is nothing I can’t try that Encausticbord does not support and I never tire of trying new ideas on its rich and receptive surface.”

Life on Fire, Encaustic on Encausticbord™, 40x30 inches

Diana LeeSanta Rosa, CA // dianalee.com

“I cannot say enough about Ampersand Scratchbord™. There is never any skipping or chipping and the ink is precisely the right thickness. Claybord™ inks are the perfect match for coloring these boards. One can mix any color with the basic colors Ampersand has in their kit.”

The Quilt Maker, Scratchbord™, 18x14 inches

Cathie BleckCleveland, OH // cathiebleck.com

“Claybord™ has contributed to my thriving career as an exhibiting artist and illustrator. In 2006, I needed large scale works 48˝x90˝. It was important to me that my artwork not only be archival, but also properly braced. Ampersand delivered. I have used their product exclusively since then.”

The Gift, Ink on Claybord™, 36x55 inches

Stella AlesiAustin, TX // alesiart.com

“I have never had a single problem with any of the surfaces I have ever used, and it has been about 10 years now. Ampersand saves me a ton of time, by providing me with the perfect gessoed surface that would otherwise take hours to achieve.”

Buddha’s Heart, Oil on Gessobord™, 42x42 inches (front and side view)

Dana BrownAustin, TX // danabrownart.blogspot.com

“Claybord™ is great for combining different materials and techniques. The strong, rigid panel can take the pressure of an image transfer process and its smooth surface allows for a clean transfer. Collage materials make a perfectly flush connection. I appreciate how dedicated Ampersand is to the quality and the construction of these panels!”

–Dana Brown is both an Ampersand™ and Gamblin® working artist.

Werewolf by Night #19 (as modern), Collage on Claybord™, 10.25 x 6.625 inches

Jennifer ChenowethAustin, TX // fisterrastudio.com

Joy, Grief, Rage, Fear, Mixed drawing media and oil on Gessobord™, 12x12 inches

Jennifer Chenoweth’s artistic inquiry parallels the philosophic inquiry of becoming and being. She works backwards from an idea and forwards from studio process — the art manifests somewhere in the middle.

Jeffrey L. SimsAmarillo, TX

Sequence Squared, Acrylic emulsion, oil pastel, 100% rag paper on Gessobord™, 26x30 inches

Marian SteenSt Louis, MO // mariansteen.com

“My work is the equivalent of keeping a visual art diary. I create paintings that convey hope, and beauty through the interplay between color, line, and texture. I accomplish that by combining watercolor and acrylic paint with collage pieces and string, along with stamping techniques. Aquabord™ works perfectly!”

Quilt Series-Red Fall, Mixed media on Aquabord™, 15x15 inches

Cathy SheeterFort Lupton, CO // cathysheeter.com

Dreaming Big, Scratchbord™, 8x8 inches

“I have tried all of the available brands of scratchboards on the market and know, without a doubt, that Ampersand Scratchbord™ is the best available (as are the people at Ampersand).”

Lisa GoeslingChicago, IL // lisagoesling.com

“Scratchbord™ by Ampersand is perfect for capturing the intricacies of nature. The combination of the smooth clay surface and India ink make it my medium of choice for creating detailed drawings that seem to jump right off of the page.”

Oregano, Scratchbord™ with Claybord™ Inks and Copic multiliner marker, 20x18 inches

Beverly ManghamSan Marcos, TX // eyeofthedog.com

“I especially like that the Primed Smooth wood panels enable me to attach found materials: metal, wood, nature objects, buttons, fabric and mementos with hardware (nails, staples, screws, and upholstery tacks).”

Archaic Remnants/Collective Unconscious, Mixed media assemblage on Artist Panel™ Primed Smooth, 6x6 inches (installation of 20 pieces, overall size 34x27 inches)

Roi JamesAustin, TX // roijames.com

“Ampersand Claybord™ panels are one of my favorite surfaces to paint on. The ultra-smooth texture encompasses for the highly modern and the antiquity of gessoed panels.”

Response Alignment, Oil on Claybord™, 40x30 inches

Dena WenmohsCypress Mill, TX // denawenmohs.com

Dena Wenmohs is the owner of The Bunkhouse, an art workshop and retreat facility that is a magnet to other artists and keeps her fully in touch with the art world and inspires her to create more, learn more, and paint more.

Celebration Time, Acrylic on Gessobord™, 36x24 inches

Andrea PramukAustin, TX // andreapramuk.com

“I exclusively use Ampersand panels for my work; there is nothing else like Claybord™. Also, as an employee of Ampersand, I stand behind the products we make and act as advocate for other artists so that I know we are manufacturing the best products possible.”

Reflection I, Mixed media on Claybord™, 14x11 inches

Anne Morgan-JespersenHelper, UT // amjworks.com

“The surface texture lends itself to the refinement necessary for my work in oil.” El Glaciar Perito Moreno (The End of an Era), Oil on Gessobord™, 30x33 inches

Andrew JudkinsNorth Mankato, MN // andrewjudkins.net

“No subject could be more relevant and deeply resonant with people. In a way, landscape is even more personal to the human experience than portraits and figure paintings.”

Deep Creek Hole, Oil on Gessobord™, 12x16 inches

Suzan WoodruffLos Angeles, CA // suzanwoodruff.com

“I have been using the Ampersand products for over a decade. It is the best art supply company I have ever dealt with. I love the products and I can truly say, without the Ampersand products, I would not be doing the paintings I am today. Elaine Salazar and Andrea Pramuk always go above and beyond. Thank you Ampersand for being there.”

Little Echo Maker, Acrylic, color shifting powder, polymer varnish on Claybord™, 16x11 inches

Judith SimondsAustin, TX // judithsimondsart.com

“I’ve always painted on canvas, but never liked the struggle of prepping the canvas before painting. I regarded that whole process as a huge waste of my studio time. Another thing that I didn’t care for was the “tooth” of the canvas, I wanted a smooth surface on which to paint my detailed images. With Ampersand Gessobord™, my wishes came true! Instant gratification and more time to paint, no prep! I honestly can’t imagine painting on any other surface.”

Vexation #1, Acrylic on Gessobord™, 36x24 inches

Diane FrenchSt Augustine Beach, FL // dfrenchart.com

“Perfect, refined receptivity for raw pigments...Ampersand’s Pastelbord™!”

Without A Struggle: Capturing Dreams, Pure, raw powder pigments on Pastelbord™, 38x58 inches

RT BransonSan Antonio, TX

RT Branson embraces the rights of the American Indian people and their cause in today’s society. Through his work, he helps to provide education for indigenous youth and portrays the story of indigenous people with the purpose of establishing respect for their traditional ways.

Untitled, Pen and brush India ink and watercolor on Aquabord™, 12x36 inches

Patsy LindamoodHuntsville, TX // lindamoodfineart.com

“Ampersand Pastelbord™ is my preferred surface for all my pastel work because the pastel ground provides superior tooth and texture, capturing and holding numerous layers of even the softest of pastels. The surface is extraordinarily versatile, in that it accepts all manner of wet media, such as watercolor or gouache for underpainting, and applications of water or turp applied over pastel. Pastelbord is equally perfect for highly detailed paintings as well as loose, more painterly works.”

Some Things are Really Black and White, Pastels on Pastelbord™, 36x24 inches

Luana Luconi WinnerRaleigh, NC // winnerstudios.com

Wheeling Series: Bikes #4, Pastels on Pastelbord™, 16x20 inches

“The confidence of working with a support that is a reliably consistent surface and archival lends a greater level of confidence to me as I create my art pieces. I know that with Ampersand supports, I can assure my collectors that my artwork will last for generations.”

Ranjini VenkatachariSanta Clara, CA // vividpencils.com

“Inspired by the finer nuances of simple everyday subjects, I embody my work with a variety of moods by using expressive color and dramatic lighting. Although I prefer to work in a realistic style, I like my art to be a passionate interpretation rather than a replication of what I see.”

Crossing the Line, Colored Pencil on Pastelbord™, 20x16 inches