Flourish Friday - IAMPETH & The Power of Words

Today, I feel like a bee in a bonnet...a BB in a boxcar...a chicken with its head cut-off...what else? A pinball?  Anyway - a LOT to get done, including pack for the International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers and Teachers of Handwriting convention.

I'm really looking forward to IAMPETH!
I know IAMPETH President, Debi Zeinert, and her diligent crew have put in countless hours preparing for this year's gathering in Milwaukee.
Will you be at IAMPETH? Not going, but wish you were? Please leave a comment on this post!

The image above is the result of one of my "bottom of the inkwell" playtimes.  When I get to the bottom of my inkwell, I will usually play in one of my journals or on a big sheet of paper as I did above. Then I tear the piece of paper into smaller sections.  See my previous "bottom of the inkwell" posts by clicking HERE, HERE and HERE.

I thought you might be interested in the following.  My thanks to Tootie Horn for sharing this information with me.  Tootie received the following directly from calligrapher Tina Lee-Cronkhite:

I and five other calligraphers have devoted 2 years to producing our piece for Artprize, the world’s largest art competition in Grand Rapids, MI. From September 19th–October 7th 2012, you can view the piece at the Women’s City Club. PLEASE pass this on to all your friends. We’d like as many people to view this as possible. This is a work of art that will survive centuries because of the nature of the materials we have used. Not only is it a love of letters, but the Calligraphic world has not seen anything like this before. Please take a moment to view these sites and then sign up to vote! (You can’t vote until September 19th and you must sign up in person after doing it online to be eligible to vote, rules at artprize.org)

Here’s our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/scribes.six

Please view The Power of Words by The Scribes Six.

( Marijo Carney, Kimberly Dixon, Jane Ewing, Tina Lee-Cronkhite, Christine Orsolini,  and Karen Vosburg) I had the pleasure of meeting Jane Ewing during the Chicago Calligraphy Collective's fieldtrip to Twinrocker, and I wish her and her fellow scribes the best of luck.

To view The Power of Words entry Click Here.

Have a great weekend!

I hope to see you Monday in Milwaukee!!!

Calligraphy Flourish Friday - Twinrocker

Twinrocker's Travis Becker

This past weekend I had the pleasure of participating in the Chicago Calligraphy Collective's fieldtrip to Twinrocker Handmade Paper in Brookston, Indiana.  Travis Becker (pictured above) began working for Twinrocker founders, Kathryn and Howard Clark, at the age of 19.  Under Kathryn's tutelage he became a Master Papermaker, and in a plan of succession, is now the owner of Twinrocker.

My sister, Kathy, checks out the Big Beater

After Travis gave us the history on paper making, he showed us the three Holland beaters they use in their paper making process.

Travis demonstrating Pulp Painting

Everyone was able to try their hand at Pulp Painting, which Travis is demonstrating in the photo above.  You can see some of Kathryn Clark's Pulp Paintings by clicking here.

 JustinVining

Indiana artist, Justin Vining, is eager to make his first sheet.  Justin recently joined Twinrocker as their Marketing Manager.  Justin is a talented and all around great guy. (ahem...and a PURDUE grad)  Learn more about Justin, and the role the selling of his family's farm has had on his art, by visiting his website (click here).

Jane tries to keep her thumbs out of it.

Here I am attempting to get the pulp nice and even on the mould.

Kathy places the felt

 It was a treat to have my sister, Kathy, up from Nashville, TN to take the workshop with me.  In the photo above, Kathy carefully places a piece of felt on top of the previous sheet, before she couches her own sheet.

Julie Wildman couching her paper

It's always great to spend time with other calligraphers.  In addition to catching up with Indy calligrapher and artist, Sandy Wagner, I enjoyed meeting and getting to know several CCC members.

Current CCC President and fellow blogger, Julie Wildman, is shown couching her sheet in the photo above.  Read Julie's blogpost about the Twinrocker fieldtrip by clicking here.  I am a big fan of Julie's work, and it was great to see her again. Visit Julie's website by clicking here.  

Travis shows what happens to the pieces that don't measure up....

Not all the sheets passed Travis's inspection!  :)

The Master shows how it's done.

It takes TWO YEARS of training to become a decent paper maker and many more years to become as accomplished as Travis.

Beat in all that water just to press it out

The squeeze is on as the paper is pressed in the gigantic press.

The Good Stuff

Travis let us loose on his inventory, and I was like a kid in a candy store.  I love Twinrocker's special shapes. Following are some of the pieces I've done on Twinrocker's specially shaped paper.

Thanks to Travis Becker, Twinrocker, and the Chicago Calligraphy Collective for a great papermaking experience!

Have a great weekend everyone.

Go forth and flourish!