Calligraphy Flourish Friday - Isabella Grace and Psalm 139

I have a long list of lettering projects I would like to do. Psalm 139 has been on that list for quite awhile. When my niece asked if I would do a Psalm 139 inspired piece for her daughter-to-be's nursery, I was excited to do it.  She requested white lettering and white flowers on a pink background.

The piece incorporates much of what I have learned over the years from many, talented instructors. All the original work was done in black ink, scanned, and assembled in Photoshop.  I made the 13" x 19" print on my Epson R2000 using Arches 90lb. hot press, watercolor paper.  Sometimes things look better on screen than on paper, so it took a couple of tries to get the print just right.

I work slowly anyway, but I worked even more slowly and deliberately for such a special piece.
(Thank you for your patience Morgan!)
I just want to say that Isabella Grace is a wonderful name to letter in script!!

The great thing is now that all the hard work is done, I can change the background from pink to blue in a snap.  Not quite as quickly, I can change the name, birth date, etc. in order to make prints for clients. 

Yay! I can cross one of those lettering projects off my to do list!

Photo by Ryan Hill

Introducing the adorable Isabella Grace.

Isn't she an absolute doll?! I love this hat.

It is such a delight to have a baby in the family once again.

Photo by Morgan Thompson

This is one of my favorite photos of Isabella.  I just love her expression. What is she thinking? (Probably, "Mommy, I love this beautiful headband you made for me!")

If you're interested in a custom made print, please feel free to contact me. You will find my email info by clicking on "View My Complete Profile" link above on the right.

Enjoy your Friday.

Go forth and flourish!

xo

Jane

©Jane Farr Calligraphy & Design LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®
Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™
Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. WWW.ZONDERVAN.COM
The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Offices by Biblica, Inc. ™

Flourish Friday - Ken Scott

Because my dad isn't much for shopping, he prefers to give cash at Christmas.  I try to spend his gift money on something that is both lasting and unique.  (See last year's purchase by clicking here.) This year I bought a journal and some handmade pens from Ken Scott.  Ken is an American Frontier Artist (love that title!)  I first learned about Ken this past year from Patty Bertsch of the Greater Cincinnati Calligraphy Guild. Thanks Patty!  I enjoy doing Pennsylvania German Fraktur, and Patty informed me that Ken was doing a Fraktur workshop at a local living history museum, Conner Prairie. Unfortunately, Ken's workshop was held the same day as the Calligraphy Guild of Indiana's opening exhibit at the Central Library of Indianapolis. Although I couldn't go to Ken's workshop last year, I hope to go to his workshop this year.  He personalized my journal with my name and a bit of folk art, which makes it even more special.

Ken was offering a special Valentine's Day discount on his journals and penholders, so I took advantage of it. The journal is beautiful, and the penholders are so unlike anything I own.  Ken included a variety of extra pen points - none of which I had tried before.

I look forward to filling my journal with all sorts of quotes and whatnots.  Writing in this journal makes me feel as though I've stepped back in time! My dad always finds the perfect gift for me! (wink)

Visit Ken's site by clicking here: Ken Scott

Learn about Ken's October 2012 Fraktur workshop at Conner Prairie by clicking here: Conner Prairie

Have a great holiday weekend.

Go forth and flourish!

1 Corinthians 13 - Calligraphy Flourish Friday

Someone had asked for an 8" x 10" print of a piece I had done in 2008. I had given the original piece away. Although I had scanned the piece, the scan wasn't very good.  I redid the piece in black ink and added the color in Photoshop.  I had only used my new printer  (Epson R2000) for black prints and was anxious to see how it would perform for color prints.

Thanks to my wonderful followers' recommendations for paper, I bought several different types to try.  For this first color print, I used Epson Velvet Fine Art Paper.   I paid about $1.35 per 8.5" x 11" sheet at Amazon.  Because my printer is an Epson, this particular paper was one of the print options available to me.  One of the printer's cartridges is called "gloss optimizer" which was automatically used for this print.

I was very happy with the print. Unfortunately, you cannot tell in this photo, but the gloss optimizer really made the ink look as though it came straight from my pen.

Sending you love and wishing you a happy heart this Valentine's Day!

xo

Jane

Flourish Friday - Super Bowl City

I have enjoyed following all the Super Bowl activities in Indy this past week. Tom and I went down to see everything and to check out the Super Bowl Village. We've had great weather. Unfortunately, I think that is about to change.

I did the original lettering with a 6mm Pilot Parallel Pen that has been hand cut to 4.5mm by the good folks at Paper & Ink Arts.  (The paper didn't appreciate my efforts...)  I have the barrel of the pen filled with Pilot Iroshizuku Ink. The pointed pen work was done with a Zebra G.  I scanned both pieces and layered them on top of my photo of the JW Marriott in Photoshop.

This is a photo of Tom at Monument Circle. The heart of downtown Indy. The theatre hosting Late Night with Jimmy Fallon is visible on the far right.

Looking north toward Monument Circle and the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. 

There were 33 Indy race cars representing each of the 32 NFL teams as well as one for the 2012 Super Bowl.

Ice Carving.

Zip line over South Capitol Avenue.

New York Giants vs. New England Patriots

The JW Marriott makes for a large canvas.

View great, professional photos of Indy decked out for the Super Bowl here and here.

Local Indy restaurant blogger, Erin Day, wrote a nice article for PBS food this week; read it here.

Happy Flourish Friday!

I hope you have a great weekend.

Flourish Friday - Lamentations 3

If you have had a rough week,

then I hope you will find some encouragement in this piece.

xo

Jane

Calligraphy Flourish Friday - Envelopes

©Jane Farr Calligraphy & Design LLC

 Greetings from frigid Indy!

I've spent most of the week working on wedding invitation envelopes, and I haven't had much time for playing.  Thanks to Jane Royal's blog, I did decide to spend some Christmas money on THIS.  I look forward to receiving and playing with it. :)  In the meantime, here are two envelopes I did this week.

©Jane Farr Calligraphy & Design LLC

Both envelopes were done with a Zebra G nib. For the one in the top image, I used Moon Palace Sumi. For the one in the bottom image, I mixed and used Winsor & Newton Designers Gouaches.

(Naples Yellow and Permanent White) 

Hope you have a great weekend!

Flourish Friday - Procrastination Quote

©Jane Farr Calligraphy & Design LLC

My kids are back at Purdue University, and so I am back to writing them letters each week.  No doubt this quote made them roll their eyes. :)  I made the marbled paper at the Round Robin during the 2009 IAMPETH Convention in Nashville.  It was an acrylic paint in shaving cream technique. I'm sure you could find an online tutorial for it, if you're interested.  I used a Zebra G nib and Winsor & Newton Designer's Gouache.  I used blue ZIG markers for the envelopes (Brushable, Writer and Wink of Stella).

I hope you've had a great week!

I'm sorry I haven't been around to visit all my favorite bloggers lately. I need to get out more! :)

Flourish Friday - Printer Follow Up

©Jane Farr Calligraphy & Design LLC

 Thanks to all of you that offered advice regarding large format printers. (see this post)

I decided to purchase an Epson R2000. Although I have only made 3 prints thus far, I am very pleased with the results.

©Jane Farr Calligraphy & Design LLC

Using Photoshop, I added a few more flourishes to my Psalm 100 piece that I started in November. This is one of the prints I've made. It measures 12" x 40", is printed on Arches Text Wove, and is currently hanging on my fridge. :)

Happy Flourish Friday!

I hope you have a great weekend.

xo

Jane

Calligraphy Flourish Friday - 80th Birthday Card

©Jane Farr Calligraphy & Design LLC

I did this piece for my dear Aunt Marilyn who celebrated her 80th birthday this past week. 

For the envelope I used McCaffery's brown ink, a Zebra G nib, Derwent Metallic Pencils, and my notes from Heather Held's Artful Flourish class.  I used a pointed brush and MicaColor (Sparkling Mica & Pigment Watercolor Paint) for the M and floral border.

Wishing you a safe and Happy New Year!

xo

Jane

Calligraphy Flourish Friday - Merry Christmas!

©Jane Farr Calligraphy & Design LLC

Peace be with you Dear Friends.

I tried a little bit of gilding for my calligraphy guild's holiday card exchange.

I used Instacoll and patent gold leaf.

I sketched a dove and cut it out of bristol board and then embossed the shape onto Stonehenge paper.

©Jane Farr Calligraphy & Design LLC

I used Finetec gold and a Zebra G nib for addressing the envelope.

Wishing you peace, joy and merry making a plenty this Christmas!

xo

Jane

Calligraphy Flourish Friday - Ecclesiastes 9:11

©Jane Farr Calligraphy & Design LLC

This is a little snippet from a recent commission. 

Walnut ink and a Zebra G on Stonehenge.

 

Rachel is finished with finals, and Matthew will finish up this evening. I am looking forward to enjoying time with my family and preparing for Christmas. 

Wishing you a happy Friday and a great weekend!

xo

Jane

©Jane Farr Calligraphy & Design LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. WWW.ZONDERVAN.COMThe “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Offices by Biblica, Inc. ™

Calligraphy Flourish Friday - Christmas Tree, Spencerian and a Beast

©Jane Farr Calligraphy & Design LLC

This is a flourished Christmas tree I did in Heather Held's The Artful Flourish class at IAMPETH this past summer. Speaking of Heather, have you seen the logo she designed for the 2012 IAMPETH Convention? It is absolutely gorgeous!!! Go see it by clicking HERE.

Do you want to learn Spencerian without leaving the comfort of your home? Now, you can! Harvest Crittenden and Michael Sull are working together to offer a Spencerian Online Correspondence Course consisting of 12 lessons. Please visit the "Classes" page of Harvest's website to read all about it.  Harvest and Michael have given a clear outline of the information to be covered and how the course will operate. To visit Harvest's website and read a brief overview about the class, click HERE.

To read a more detailed outline of the class or to register, click HERE.

Registration is now open.

I've already signed up, and I hope to see you in class come January!

....and one more thing....

My printer arrived!  Fortunately, I am blessed with good neighbors, because the FedEx driver delivered it to the wrong house! Unfortunately, my poor elderly neighbor about put her back out dragging this beast up onto her porch and into her home. (She thought maybe her son had used her address for a surprise Christmas gift for one of her grandchildren.) I am going to have to do some rearranging to make room for it, but I can't wait to try it.  Thanks again for all your suggestions and advice about printers; it was a great help to me! 

Happy Flourish Friday!!

xo

Jane

Calligraphy Flourish Friday - Linda Hirsh

©Jane Farr Calligraphy & Design LLC

Just before Thanksgiving, I was reading through Julie Wildman's November newsletter for the Chicago Calligraphy Collective.  I was stunned to read that Linda Hirsh, a calligrapher in San Diego, had a brain tumor and was in hospice care.  She was on my mind all through Thanksgiving, and I made a note to send her a card.  Unfortunately, I didn't get it done in time. I was so sad to learn of her passing earlier this week.

©Jane Farr Calligraphy & Design LLC

The first time I experienced Linda was at the Nashville IAMPETH. I took her "Copperplate Chic" class, and it was a blast! We just bounced from one fun thing to the next. I could just tell that Linda loved anything and everything to do with calligraphy. New techniques and creative ideas just seemed to ooze out of her. She had such flair!

©Jane Farr Calligraphy & Design LLC

 One of the techniques she taught was writing with gouache and Schmincke powder.  Mix your gouache in a well (add a drop of gum arabic).

©Jane Farr Calligraphy & Design LLC

 The Schmincke powder is very fine, and Linda suggested covering the top with a piece of nylon (panty hose).  Sprinkle the powder on top of the gouache.  Then load your pen with a mixing brush. Do NOT mix the powder into the gouache, but just let it rest on top. Then... letter away! I used a Zebra G nib.

©Jane Farr Calligraphy & Design LLC

I sat in on Linda and Brenda Broadbent's "Something Adventurous" program at IAMPETH this past summer in Phoenix.  They were quite the comediennes. Again, Linda's enthusiasm just made me smile. She was such a great ambassador for the lettering arts.  I realize many of you knew Linda well, and I'm sure your lives are richer for having called her friend. 

Go forth and flourish!

xo

Calligraphy Flourish Friday - Thank You!

©Jane Farr Calligraphy & Design LLC

You guys are the absolute best!

Thank you for all the emails and comments with suggestions for wide format printers!!

Your advice has been very helpful.  Once I have purchased the printer and have it set up, I will do a follow-up blog post.

Enjoy your weekend everyone.

Go Forth and Flourish!

((Hugs))

Jane

Psalm 100 - Giving Thanks

My initial draft of Psalm 100 for Thanksgiving.

The accountant advises to spend as much as I can before year end. (Okay!) I'd like to purchase a wide format printer, so I can start making my own large prints.  I've done some preliminary research, but most of the reviews out there are made by and for photographers using photo paper.  I'm getting frustrated. Here is my plea: If you are using - or know of - a great wide format printer for making art prints that is currently available on the market (new), would you please let me know?  Here's what I'm looking for:

1. Can print at least 13" x 19" (longer would be great!)

2. Uses Pigmented Inks

3. Makes great prints - in both black and color - on watercolor style paper! (Any tips for great paper?)

4. Affordable

I'd appreciate any advice you can offer!

I am thankful for many things, including all my online friends!

I am also giving thanks for my loving husband. Today is Tom's birthday.

I am off to bake my favorite guy a cake!! :)

 xo

Jane

Flourish Friday - Bird and Banner

©Jane Farr Calligraphy & Design LLC

11.11.11

Thank you, Veterans.

Peace,

Jane

Flourish Friday - CHAIRish the Children

The Affirmation Chair by Jane Farr

I painted this chair for The Villages "CHAIRish the Children" fundraising auction.

The Villages is a child and family services agency here in Indianapolis. You can read about the good work they are doing by clicking here.

I had never worked on a piece of furniture. The chair arrived unfinished and needing sanding.

I applied 2 coats of white, acrylic paint. 

I wanted to create a sunny, vibrant, and happy chair. :)

©Jane Farr Calligraphy & Design LLC

We're familiar with the "Time Out" chair. (At least my kids are!) Instead of a Time Out Chair to correct negative behavior, I wanted to create an Affirmation Chair to correct negative thoughts. How many of us beat ourselves up with negative thoughts? 

©Jane Farr Calligraphy & Design LLC

 I want the chair's occupant to know and Believe the truth...

they are loved, 

they are talented, 

they are creative, 

they are brilliant...

May this knowledge help them Shine! :)

©Jane Farr Calligraphy & Design LLC

To see all the wonderful chairs in the auction or to place a bid, click here.

The online auction ends on November 10, 2011 at 8pm Eastern Time and will be followed by a live auction at the Indianapolis Artsgarden on Friday, November 11 at 6pm. The closing bids online will be the starting bids at the event Friday evening.  There will be proxys who will bid for those who cannot attend the event but would like to continue bidding. 

For ticket information to the live auction at the Artsgarden, click here.

Happy weekend everyone.

Go forth and flourish!

Calligraphy Flourish Friday - Photos and Lettering on Canvas

©Jane Farr Calligraphy & Design LLC

I have a feeling that some of the social coupon companies may be out-of-business soon, so I am on a mission to redeem my outstanding coupons as soon as possible.  I had a coupon for a 16" x 20" photo on canvas from CafePress.   I wanted to use the photo above that I took while visiting Manarola, Italy.

©Jane Farr Calligraphy & Design LLC

I added my own lettering to the image using Photoshop.  I then sent the image off to CafePress.  Only afterward did I remember to check the spelling. grrrrr!

©Jane Farr Calligraphy & Design LLC

Thankfully, just as I thought I would be stuck with my misspelling forever, CafePress contacted me to see if it would be okay to make the canvas slightly larger than the size stated on the coupon. (You bet!) They were very gracious to allow me to correct the lettering and resend the image without any additional charge.  I'm really happy with the result.

©Jane Farr Calligraphy & Design LLC

I have a similar coupon to use for Canvas On Demand.  I think I might use one of our Lake Michigan photos when I redeem it.  Thanks to everyone for your nice comments and private emails. We had a wonderful 26th anniversary and a great trip around Lake Michigan. :)

Go Forth and Flourish!

xo

Jane