Chop/Seal, a workshop with Ruth Renner. 

By Dale-Cormack Pearson, our reporter in the field. 

What a wonderful packed day, filled with lots to learn. The four of us - Glenice, Jan, Barbara and myself - were very spoilt to have Ruth to ourselves. Ruth started by showing us her seals and telling us their history.

This was followed by a lesson on carving into soft stone. We all found it much harder than we expected, but with practice, like all things we would hope to improve. Before we knew it was lunchtime. Ruth then talked about her latest exhibition 'She Dreamt'. Spending time explaining about mulberry paper, moon paper, a soft see through paper, and what magic you can create when you use chinese ink and a brush.

Our chance soon came and we had time to play with some mulberry paper, brushes and chinese ink. We practised bamboo, characters, learning about the meaning of the strokes, how the energy takes you from one part of the stroke to completing the letter. We all have a better understanding of the construction of characters now.

After that we went back to our chop/seal carving and finally produced something. I am not entirely sure that we were happy with them. I realised I had carved mine back to front, I had to laugh. Jan made one for Sue, as she had wanted to come but ill health prevented her.

We would like to thank Ruth making time during her holiday to teach us and look forward to her next visit.

34 International Calligraphy Conference

Over in California an amazing get together is being held at Sonoma State University. It's the 34th International Calligraphy Conference July 25th to August 1st. Here is the link http://www.thepassionatepen.org You will find all the information you need on the website. As I read through the tutors I ohh and ahh at each one, all well known people who's work is so amazing. I recommend you go have a cup of tea (or two) as you look through their work. The campus is flat, with accommodation on site, there is a cafe, there will be calligraphy gear outlets, bookshops, and tutors and students work for sale etc. Mobility wheels for those who need them, everything is within half a mile of each other through pleasant leafy walks.  

Report from Tuesday Night 3rd March

Susan organised this evening, we worked to music, on strips of practise paper (i.e. wall paper) which ran the full length of our tables. We used a variety of tools and paint to start with, aiming for backgrounds, eventually using ink, pigments we bought with us and any thing we thought might make an interesting mark. Better paper was tried after the loosening up period, this was to be worked on at home and next meeting we are expected to bring along a finished project. Woe betide, a warning from Susan, do something.

Please forgive me if your work is displayed upside down or sideways.

What we are doing on Tuesday night 3rd March:

Calligraphy outside your comfort zone:

The focus on this meeting is all about thinking big. The program is a hands on evening, so bring your aprons, and any big tools you have! Prepare to go home with inky fingers.

Paint, ink and paper will be supplied, and there will be plastic gloves for the really cautious folk. There will be lots of playing, non conforming, experimental calligraphy. Do come along, we look forward to seeing you. if you want to use the library come at 6 o'clock, we will start the evening properly at 6.30.

Barbara and Jan

Barbara and Jan's exhibition at the Steel Gallery in Pukekohe. In case you were not able to attend - it is open until the 13th of March, so you still have time to visit. The room was filled, and there were lots of people eager to wait their turn to see the exhibition. Patrons were looked after with dainty sandwhiches, savouries and cool drinks. 

Top row, some of the smaller pieces. Middle row, larger works, bottom row, the introductions, after the initial rush, and discussions with the artist.

After the Workshop

Dale has supplied a few more photos that she took during the workshop with Kate Hursthouse. You should be able to click on the compiled image to enlarge. Left to right,  Kate demonstrating, home made pens, some of our group, Kate explaining pens, Erin and Barbara, Kate discussing structure, lettering, Kate's book, more lettering, Rose's work on good paper. Enjoy.

2015 Monthly meetings start February 3rd.

That's this Tuesday!        Library 6pm, meeting starts 6.30pm

Kate Hursthouse

“In September 2014 Kate Hursthouse took part in a week long work shop in Arezzo, Italy with Italian Calligrapher Monica Dengo. During the workshop she studied historical manuscripts, texture, pattern and contemporary gestural writing.        http://www.monicadengo.com 

Kate worked with a range of tools created from a variety of materials and the students were encouraged to develop their own hands, experimenting with forms, textures, inks, instruments and papers.   

Kate is going to do a bit of a show and tell of the experiments and work she produced during the workshop and we are all going to experiment with some contemporary gestural writing.

Please bring along lots of paper, ink and any experimental tools such as cola pens, ruling pens, cork, balsa that you would like to experiment and play with."

Kate came across this video the other day of Luca Barcellona teaming up with Red Bull to create some work. It is quite beautiful. Well worth watching.

http://www.redbull.com/it/it/music/stories/1331687840871/variazioni-bertallot-ep.-3

You're invited

Auckland's southern-most Gallery will play host to 

"Beyond Type"

an exhibition that celebrates the journey of calligraphy 

presented by Jan Leonard and Barbara Ellis.

Flyer with details

A Message to New Zealand Calligraphers:

Jan and I are having an exhibition in our local Art Gallery from the 27th Feb to the 13th March and we would like to let you know and please note everyone is welcome. The opening is on Sat 28th February, so it's not far away.  

Liesbet Boudens

Liesbet Boudens work caught my eye when I was looking through Pinterest. I wanted to collect some of her work together for inspiration and wrote to ask her if I would be allowed to do that and share with you. A quick response arrived with permission and she attached an article as well. Wasn't that genuinely a nice thing to do!  It always surprises me.

Liesbet writes in the article 'My first ventures into the world of letters were made using the calligraphic pen, which incidentally was my father's medium as well. Gradually I changed from written to freely drawn and painted letters on paper, canvas and walls. Pattern, rhythm and colour are very important in my work.'

Her website has been tampered with and she is in the middle of repairing it. This is the link I have but not all is working yet.

click here for more information.

                                                   

If you would like to share with us some calligraphy related information send article and pictures to  the blog please click here for our email address

                                                                                                                                                   

                                                                                                                                                  

Jean Larcher has died. http://www.larchercalligraphy.com

                                                                                                                                                                   

The internet has obituaries from many, many people and organisations that Jean knew and worked with. His partner, Katharine Pieper says he died on Saturday 17th January, after a short and serious illness.

                                                                                                                                                   

                      

A bit of a spring clean for the new year.

An important date to remember is the first tuesday in February, this is the start of the monthly meetings for this year. Kate Hursthouse will be entertaining us with a presentation. We hope to touch base with the pages of the collaborative book, find out where the pages have been holidaying and perhaps hand over finished work. The date is the 3rd February, come at 6pm if you wish to use the library, the meeting proper will start around 6.30.

A reminder that it is this year we are having an exhibition and members should be thinking about a piece to hang (or maybe several). You should be past just the thinking stage, trials of paper and pigments perhaps roughs, with fine tuning around the corner. It is a good idea to make several copies keep them all, I remember Lorraine Brady saying 3 was the minium number you should do, then select the best.

Below is the information from the magazine in case you have misplaced it. You should be able to click on the image to enlarge it. If this doesnt work check issue no 88 for the flyer.