Thornton Dial Posted on: February 28th, 2018 Thornton Dial, “Scratching for Life,” 1998, Paint and gravel on wood, 48 x 48 inches, photographed by Edward Badham. Thornton Dial, “Scratching for Life,” 1998, Paint and gravel on wood, 48 x 48 inches, photographed by Edward Badham.