Wayzgoose

The annual get together of the Associated Book Crafts, Auckland Hand printers and the New Zealand Calligraphers. This year it was hosted by the Printers in Ferndale House, Mt Albert. The photos from left to right are, early arrivals waiting outside for the doors to be unlocked on a glorious day, setting up the Adana hand printing presses for everyone to have a go, eating lunch and trying to do the quiz, and finally the men networking.

Greetings One and All

Our Christmas get together and last meeting of the year is on Tuesday evening 4th December, 6.30pm at our new venue, NZ Embroiderer's Guild, 48 Windmill Road, Mt Eden.

Please bring a plate to share. We will have tea, coffee, wine and juice to drink.

Gill Carlsson suggested a good idea. Bring two questions regarding calligraphy to put to the assembled members, and the person with the most correct at the end wins. 

There will be a small table set up as a bring and buy, not necessarily calligraphic but at least handmade.

Most importantly:- please bring along a hand made calligraphed card to put into an exchange.

Looking forward to seeing you all.

Theresa Cashmore Exhibition

6 Rakau Street - Remuera

December 3rd - 6th         10am - 5pm

Included in this exhibition of paintings there are pieces  that Theresa took to Italy in 2010 for the Commemoration of the 66th Anniversary of the Battle of Monte Cassino, (a chance to see these right here in Auckland). Theresa is also exhibiting a small range of hand made books.

Small Objects of Desire.

A ten-day calligraphy workshop exploring the elegant and tiny writing of renaissance Florence after which we will explore the beauty of David Jones inscriptional panels. A workshop from one extreme to the other in the desire to explore our love of letters. In a relaxed and friendly art environment enjoy your passion in the daytime then relax in the evenings with concerts by some of Australia's finest musicians … all on campus and at your fingertips. Held at USQ  McGregor College, Toowoomba, QLD between  9th - 19th January 2013 with Tutor: Gemma Black

For more information click this link

Photographer Diane

Do you ever notice the alphabet being used in public places? Good or bad signs, handwritten work,  why don't you take a snapshot and send it to us here ? Diane was at a NZ Post shop at the local airport and noticed a stamp sheet on the wall, It was behind the counter so she asked permission to photograph it. It was the Alphabet made up with NZ postage stamps. I like The Edmonds E. There are many identifiable letters from the logos and some well recognised images, and the stamps are real. Look out for this sheet. Click on image to enlarge.

Ink  Paper Thread

 at

A Fine Line Gallery

A unique exhibition by 10 artists who are linked by ink, paper, and thread, they are Printmakers, Calligraphers and Book Artists. The Gallery is based in Charlie's Gelato Garden, 17 Sharp Road, Matakana. There is still time to see this  unusual combined exhibition as it runs until the 2nd December. 

Some casual snapshots have become available,  they were taken on the opening night,  and capture only a few of the exhibits, you really need to visit to appreciate the range of skill and ability of these artists.

Diane Johnson photographer

        

An opportunity arose for me to visit Margaret Woollett's Exhibition in Devonport this week. See earlier post of Oct 29th for more details. For those who are out of the city here are a few details up closer than the other available material shows. However nothing is quite the same as seeing with your own eyes, you need to see the impact of size and the play of light etc. The Museum sits on an amazing site, nestled in under the hill, right on the water's edge with a wide view of Auckland city from across the harbour. With no charges, on site parking, and a pleasant modern cafe, I recommend a visit.

Workshop with Deirdre

Deirdre Hassad was the first tutor to visit us in our new venue at Windmill Road and the course was called 'Fine tuning the Basics'. For me it was spring cleaning even before Deirdre started, my pens had stood upright in the jar, open to the air and covered in dust, and had done so for many months. I replaced and cleaned them so they all worked. After the workshop introductions Deirdre took us through the exemplar, showing and explaining the differences in italic, this can be applied to any hand. Then it was up to us to work from the exemplar, trying to understand what was happening with the pen, angle, ink and paper.

Silence but for the scratching of nibs. Rose, Hilary, Roselda, Dawn and Theresa concentrating hard.

Good work is rewarded by a fine supper and this was only one of the tables.  We had time to socialise and catch up with old friends, networking and discussing the past year and what was coming up in the next. The return to the 'reason for our group' and the timing of this evening was excellent.

A Waikato Calligraphers’ Workshop: 

Pointed Brush Lettering with Alison Furminger

Alison

A workshop organised by Waikato Calligraphers and featuring the art of brush lettering led by Wellington-based professional calligrapher Alison Furminger was held on the 27 October at The Link, Hamilton. The workshop was made possible with the funding support of Creative New Zealand.

Alison demonstrated the skills of pointed brush lettering in the style developed by American calligrapher Marilyn Reaves. Seventeen very motivated calligraphers attended: most from Hamilton, but some came from as far afield as Auckland, Taupo and Papamoa. Many others also wanted to register, but we had reached our maximum number.

Four of the group had been lucky enough to have attended Marilyn Reaves New Zealand workshop in the mid 1990s. A group photo from that long ago workshop was circulated during the day and someone suggested that we too should have a group photo. After lunch we all trooped out for a photo shoot on the steps of The Link.

Left to Right, Standing: Marian, Robyn, Jenny, Kathe, Lynette, Jan, Nigel and Tom. 

Sitting top step: Lesley, Judy, and Pam. Middle step: Alison and Maree. Bottom step: Rose, Rebecca, and Bridget.

Alison started with the basic brush strokes and then gave a letter by letter demonstration. Her approach was especially helpful because she constantly circulated giving advice and encouragement. Many of us experimented with colour and some even lettered a favourite quote.

With all this concentrated effort we still found time to get to know others in the group, with lots of good hearted banter and appreciation of each other’s work. When our catered lunch arrived the room was abuzz with noise - old friendships were renewed and new ones formed.

Everyone had a very enjoyable day.  We are very grateful to Alison for travelling to Hamilton, for her clear instructions, her gentle suggestions and her inspiring creativity.             

Report by Pam Fricker, photographs by Elaine Riddell.