This piece, “Prairie Spring”, is currently on display in “The Horse” exhibition at the Ryniker-Morrison Gallery of the Rocky Mountain College in Billings, MT. The text is a Willa Cather poem of the same name.
Prairie Spring by Willa Cather
I have arrived … in the Letter Arts Review
I’m so pleased to have been selected for inclusion in the annual juried review issue of the Letter Arts Review! And to be included as a tile on the page cover (top right)!
I realize that although I have posted a process image of the piece , I never did post a final image. Here it is, shown below. I’m also honored to have “Fragment” included “Formation,” a juried exhibition of the Guild of Book Workers which will travel to Minneapolis, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Boston, and Philadelphia in the coming year.
Homegrown Trajans with Yves Leterme
I’m taking my very first online calligraphy course. “Homegrown Trajans” is taught by the wonderfully clear and thorough master Yves Leterme via Harvest Crittendon’s site, Acorn Arts. It’s as rigorous as anyone could wish for, and I’m already just a tiny bit behind. Week 3 posted today, but these are my worksheets from week 1 (complete) and week 2 (not quite complete). I think some of these students have no other demands on their time! Or perhaps I’m just incredibly slow. Either way, I’m buckling down tonight and catching up.
My pencil ABC portfolio is temporarily stalled
It’s been a hectic month, but I’m hoping to get back to this soon. Latter portions of the alphabet have been neglected for too long.
Those gestural brush alphabets
I do like to return to the gestural brush alphabet from time to time, especially when I pair with a contrasting element. This particular one was made to put in the solo exhibit in Missoula last fall.
Having embarked today on Yves Leterme’s online course, “Homegrown Trajans”, I can predict that I won’t be doing anything like the above in the near future. Unless … it’s as relief from those demanding Trajan Romans.
My latest artist book edition
I realize that, although I posted process photos of my last book edition, I never did post photos of the book itself. (I forgot to photograph the entire edition before it dispersed. Gah!)
Umm, I seem to have misplaced those photos. But … I do have more process photos. As always, click on the image for a closer look. Next time, photos of a completed book or two. Promise.
Pointed-pen flourishing for thank-you notes
I’ve been preparing for our next pointed-pen class, when we will be experimenting with using the pressure and release of the pen to make decorative oval borders around some lettering. Here a few examples of what that could look like.
Pointed pen practice/play
I’m having the best time teaching a great group of students this winter. Although I’ve taught calligraphy classes for [checks résumé] 30 years (!), this is the first time I’ve taught pointed pen scripts in a classroom setting. To teach others is always to educate myself. Determining how to explain a concept often spotlights previously ignored fuzzy areas in my own thinking.
We’ve begun with a business hand and no pressure, gotten an intro to pointed pen nib and offset holder and ink, and then moved on to a working copperplate hand that is not too fussy (think Buddy Blackwell).
Here is a bit of silliness that broke out during a practice session focusing on whole-arm movement exercises. Contrary to what this image may suggest, I do not plan to cover “modern calligraphy” in any depth. I was just having fun. Click on the image for a closer look.
Stumbling in the new year
This year I made a greeting card to celebrate the new year. I’ve almost got them all mailed (hey, it’s still January, isn’t it?). Here’s an image of it. IRL it’s 8.5″ wide and 16.5″ tall, folded vertically into thirds. Happy New Year to you!
Register here for a new pointed pen calligraphy class beginning January 7
I am offering a 6-week calligraphy class from 5:30-7:00 pm on Sundays, beginning January 7. We will study pointed pen lettering, with an emphasis on monoline and copperplate styles.
Please use the form below to register for the class.
The cost will be $95 per person, payable the first day of class or via PayPal here.
The class will be limited to 10 participants.
We will study the letter forms and how to use them in projects such as greeting cards, bookmarks, place cards, little books, and more.
Pointed pen lettering requires a bare minimum of tools and materials. You’ll need the following for the class:
- Strathmore Drawing 300 pad at least 9″ x 12″
- Oblique pen holder
- Leonardt Principal EF pointed nib (I can supply 1 nib for $2.50, same price at John Neal)
- a black fine point marker such as Sakura Pigma Micron 01 or ZIG Millennium 01, approximately 1/4mm width
- pencil, sharpener, eraser
- metal-edge ruler at least 12″
Except for the Leonardt Principal nib, everything here is available at the MSU Bookstore. I’ll offer a basic kit, which includes the first 3 items, for $12 to those students who let me know that they want a kit by January 1.
In addition, I will provide some tools and materials for your use, and others for you to try out. I always say that many a budding calligrapher got their start due to a case of OSD (Office Supply Addiction).
Class will be held in the social hall of Temple Beth Shalom at 2020 West Koch; this is just west of 19th Avenue South, near Albertsons.
Class will commence on Sunday, January 7, and meet weekly except for January 21. The last class will be held on February 18.
Email me with any questions. I look forward to seeing you in class!