A REMINDER 2/9/14

FOR OUR TUESDAY MEETING

We would like you to come with an open mind and try to bring a prepared question to ask.

We have organised something completely different for the meeting on 2nd September, something to make us think, discuss and explore. To get started here are a couple of statements for you to mull over:-

When applying for a job I mentioned my interest in calligraphy, 

only for the employer to say "Oh, that means you will be very precise.

"Do you think this is the case for most calligraphers 

and is this a positive or negative or both?

People working in the arts often find it difficult to produce their best work on demand.

Does calligraphy have a place in the commercial world

or should we be happy to view it as a process which 

when it happens can be of monetary or personal reward?

Hillary plans on having the internet available for those who wish to learn a bit more about navigating to the calligraphy interest sites. She is bringing her computer screen in and using her phone for internet connection. This will be a first for her so Martin is coming too, for the IT support.

Dale-Cormack Pearson resigned earlier this year. A long time anchor for almost every position in our society,  and sometimes seemed to hold them all at once. A motivator, educator, co-ordinator, and enthusiast with infectious positivity, we decided to celebrate and have a meal together. It was a beautiful day, clear skies, sunshine and no wind, we met out in Karaka country at St Margaret's Garden Cafe. The food was devoured and the wine disappeared, all was good as folk we hadn't seen in a while had come and 'catch up conversations' went around the table. There were cards from well wishers and those unable to attend, gifts too.  Thank you to all those who participated and remembered Dale's contribution to our group.

Are you ready for Massimo

This is a very timely publication for us in 'Bound and Lettered' from John Neal. I am posting the complete article written by Carol DuBosch so you may be tempted  to see if you can control the syringe. 

http://www.johnnealbooks.com/prod_detail_list/Bound-and-Lettered  

Bound and Lettered originally appeared as Tabellae Ansata, it continues to publish articles on artists books, bookbinding, paper craft and calligraphy.

http://www.caroldubosch.com Carol has a comprehensive website.

Just in case you cannot read the type I have repeated it below.

Carol used the Syringe Pen in making this hard-paged book with a bronze rod. The Book was created in Susan Longerot's "Explorations of Book Structures and Surface Design" workshop at 'Letters California Style ' 2014.

This winter I attended a wonderful workshop with Italian calligrapher Massimo Polello. Among the many things that Massimo shared with us were the amazing marks he made using an ink filled syringe. The syringe is large (12ml) and has a short blunt needle. The style of the syringe is eccentric-tip - that is, the tip is offset, not centred.  This offset tip can be held closer to the paper when it is used to create letters and marks.It is easy to fill the syringe with ink and other writing fluid. Iv'e used walnut ink, Higgins Eternal ink and bleach. The syringe is simple to clean and ink colours can be changed quickly.

To work with this tool, hold the needle in one hand and position it close to the paper. The idea is to move the tool quickly while you depress the plunger of the syringe with the palm of your hand. Sounds simple, but it does take a bit of practice to master the speed and the squeeze: you have to control two different actions with the same hand at the same time. I suggest using a very dilute ink for the early practice marks. Also using the syringe can be unexpectedly messy, so protect your work area with plastic or paper. CarolDuBosch

Both Carol Dubosch and John Neal gave their kind permission to share this article. Thank you both.

Peter Defty

Alphatecture word search of architectural terms

Peter has kindly given me permission to post some of his work so we can share in his vision. The series that caught my eye was architectural forms that echoed letters of the western alphabet.  His website has much more information, both about his work and the projects he has completed, http://www.peterdefty.com/Site/HOME.html

He published the 'Geordie Alphapet' which created a lot of interest:- Geordie referring to native of Newcastle..AlphaPET being a play on the word alphabet, but PET refers to a phrase/slang referring to someone affectionately...so play on words....and has one for Paris, San Sebastian, Newcastle, London, Manchester and Leeds. Folk living in these areas would probably be able to recognise the buildings and be on the lookout for the more difficult unsolved ones.

When you are out and about in your home town, look for architectural shapes that echo our alphabet and see if you can manage a local effort. It may make you more aware of the negative and positive shapes that are in our everyday lives. I would love to post what you do and perhaps have a guess whereabouts  you live. You could digress further  still and use all sorts of images to make up your alphabet.

September Monthly Meeting

We have organised something completely different for the next monthly meeting in September, something to make us think, discuss and explore. To get started here are a couple of statements for you to mull over:-

When applying for a job I mentioned my interest in calligraphy, 

only for the employer to say "Oh, that means you will be very precise.

"Do you think this is the case for most calligraphers 

and is this a positive or negative or both?

People working in the arts 

often find it difficult to produce their best work on demand.

Does calligraphy have a place in the commercial world

or should we be happy to view it as a process which 

when it happens can be of monetary or personal reward?

Hillary plans on having the internet available for those who wish to learn a bit more about navigating to the calligraphy interest sites. She is bringing her computer in and using her phone for connection.

Think about some of your own questions to raise and hear the group respond.

The James Wallace Arts Trust

Ink wash and Calligraphy

Mr Lee, master calligrapher will be demonstrating Calligraphy and Ink Wash later this month on the 21st August. The demonstration will run from 10.30 am onwards. Jan was out and about and spotted this, contacted the Trust and handed on the information for your interest.

For more information:-

Organised by the Education and Public Programmes, 

of the The James Wallace Arts Trust, P O BOX 24657 Royal Oak, Auckland 1345
Telephone: (09) 639 2010  Fax: (09) 624 4636  Mobile: 021 0316331
Email: zoe.hoeberigs@wallaceartstrust.org.nz
www.tsbbankwallaceartscentre.org.nz
www.wallaceartstrust.org.nz

Tuesday 5th August Meeting- Gifford Gallery, Mt Eden  

'Playing with the Tools of our Trade'

- Margaret Woollett -

 Tutor

Experimenting and experiencing the 'tools' will be the the focus of the evening. Using the nibs and tools of our 'kit' we will have an evening of experimentation.

I will demonstrate using some of the main tools I use in producing my art and work, but this will be an evening of your own journey as you learn to experiment and experience using your tools in new ways

Come prepared with paper of different weights, surfaces, colour, paints, inks, brushes, etc, and an apron, as we will be using paint and ink to play and get a hands on 'feel' for some these tools. Come prepared to let old ideas grow and develop into something 'more'!

This will be an evening of learning new ways of using standard tools, looking at some tricks which assist us in our making of 'good lettering', learning and  'seeing' what others do with these same tools.

 It will be a fun evening of learning as we 'play'.

Tuesday 5th August Meeting - 6.30pm - 9pm, Gifford Gallery, Mt Eden  

  

Many members of our group belong to the Association of Book Crafts and there is an international conference being held here in New Zealand. For more information :-
Visit website: www.abc-nz.org
Programme, presenters and registration details
Follow blog: http://abc-nz-2014.blogspot.co.nz
Like Facebook page: www.facebook.com/NewZealandABC
For tweets: #abc2014nz
Email: abc2014nz@gmail.com

Calligraphy Classes

Beginners and Continuing

Parnell Community Centre

Jan Leonard is tutoring a 6 week Calligraphy course to held at the Parnell Community Centre,  545 Parnell Road, Parnell 1151. Phone (09) 5555164. It is for beginners and those wishing to build on previous skills

Term III starts on 14th August, a Thursday 7pm - 9pm

Term IV starts on 6th November, a Thursday 7pm - 9 pm.

Cost: $110 plus $18 materials charge

Contact for bookings or more information.

Rayna Terziyska

Phone (09) 555 5164
Fax (09) 379 2901
community@parnell.org.nz

Glenn Grishkoff

Brush Maker Extraordinaire

California-based Glenn grew up watching his Chinese-born Russian father grind his own ink and brush iconic glyphs from his childhood onto rice paper. This and his own experience in Asia taught Grishkoff the power of a brushstroke and the spirit of natural materials. The sculptural objects and performances he creates with clay, paper, wood, metal, textiles and hair, reference his own story and the materials he uses.

In his work, one sees a reflection of human experience as the artist pays homage to the animal spirit instilled within the physical world.  He is interested in the brush as art and function. More information  here.  

"Rock", coil-built porcelain, garnet sand; raku fired, cone 06; horse mane hair; 10"x15.5"x12",

He conducts hands on brush making workshops and is currently booking future workshop presentations. He is constructing a second website that will feature, his functional brushes, paintings, student work, collaboratives and all workshop information for people wanting to host workshops and people taking his workshops. The brushes he teaches how to make in his workshops work with all visual art areas and appeal to a diverse crowd. 

"Ink Well", porcelain sculpted with elbow and hand impressions; 

high salt fired, cone 10, powdered glass; brush handle, course garnet dust, deer tail hair; 10"x 7" x 3.5", 2008

    

I wrote to Glenn and he kindly gave his permission to use the images and information on his site. If the contents of this post interested you - there is a lot more available and I recommend visiting Glenn's website http://www.glenngrishkoff.com/ 

Installation