Calligraphy Flourish Friday - Illuminated Letters

I received a call for entries from the Columbus Center for Paper and Book Arts (CCPBA/European Papers).  Artists were asked to create two illuminated letters for the CCPBA's upcoming "Books and Letters" exhibit. The letters could be based on historical samples or created from scratch.  Each artist chose one letter and was assigned one letter.  I chose "F" and was assigned "P."  I based both of my letters on historical samples.  I did the above "F" with watercolor pencils.  I used a small pointed brush, touched it to clear water and then touched it lightly onto the tip of the colored pencil before applying to the paper.  I didn't put the pencil directly to the paper.

The "P' is a combination of Zentangles and flourishes. I used a Hiro 700 nib and Moon Palace Sumi.  Someday I will actually try a REAL illuminated letter.  I bought the supplies after taking a mini-workshop with the amazing Rosemary Buczek at the 2009 IAMPETH convention. 

....Heavy sigh...my list of things "to try" never seems to grow shorter...

Wishing you a flourishy Friday, and a happy Labor Day weekend to those here in the USA!

Artiscape - Calligraphy Flourish Friday

This evening my daughter, Rachel, and I will leave to attend Artiscape. I can't wait! We went two years ago and had an absolutely wonderful experience.  Artiscape is the creative retreat organized by the lovely and talented Lisa Ohmer of European Papers located in Columbus, Ohio.

The above lettering was done with sumi and a Spencerian No. 1 nib, then scanned and hacked at in Photoshop Elements. :)

I was first introduced to Lisa Ohmer back when I was really into ATCs (Artist Trading Cards).  Teri Martin had started a monthly ATC exchange on Cyberscribes which I really enjoyed. Then I joined some Yahoo! ATC groups which promoted Lisa Ohmer's House of Cards exhibit.  Lisa requested and received hundreds of ATCs for the traveling exhibit. One of my ATCs was chosen for the poster. (3rd row, 4th from left) Then a year later she put together the House of Cards II exhibit, and I was lucky enough to have a card featured on that show poster too. (Very bottom, right)

In 2008, Lisa organized "Playing with a Full Deck." Lisa created and provided the base playing cards and then asked artists to take it from there.  She chose 54 cards for the exhibit posters, and two of mine are on the poster on the right. (Bottom row, center and bottom row, far right)

This is my "passport" necklace for the weekend.  There were so many, great classes offered that it was difficult to choose.  I am taking a class with encaustic artist Trish Baldwin Seggebruch.  I've been wanting to learn how to incorporate encaustic with my calligraphy.   I have Trish's book and DVD, and I'm really looking forward to her class.  Rachel is taking a bookmaking class with lettering artist Carol Kimball. We are both taking two classes with lettering artist Jacqueline Sullivan - a watercolor background class and a mini book class.

The thing I like most about Artiscape is that the instructors provide most of the supplies needed for their class.  Students just bring a Basic Took Kit, which includes items most artists already have in their studios.  It's so nice not to have to haul a ton of stuff.  (Although I'm sure the instructors have to rent U-Hauls.)  If you are going to be attending Artiscape 2010, please let me know - I'd love to meet you!

To learn more about Lisa Ohmer and Artiscape, click here.

To learn more about ATCs, click here.

To learn more about encaustic and Patricia Baldwin Seggebruch, click here.

To learn more about Jacqueline Sullivan, click here.

Thanks everyone for your kind wishes for Matt's 18th birthday. He had a great one!

Go forth and flourish!