First off was a Calligraphy workshop with botanical artist Sue Kalab. In my high school years armed with my Speedball textbook, nibs and ink, I used to cover great swaths of paper with carefully penned poems edged with drawn decorations. And in the last couple of years I had done a couple of random lettering workshops at our local library and summer school 2018, so I expected to just flow back into it.
Not so as you can see bottom right.....
But high school was many years ago, and unfortunately in the workshop I struggled to come to terms with Chancery Cursive and Single-Stroke Roman lettering. I did however discover the book "The Art of Brush Lettering" by Kelly Klapstein in Canada among Sue's collection. So back home I was onto the internet, found Kelly's blog and Facebook page Kelly Creates, and "liked". As fate would have it, Kelly was about to present a 4 day (that is, 30 minutes per day for 4 days) on-line lettering workshop on Facebook. Armed with my Tombow brush lettering pen which I had purchased following a previous workshop, I set to work. I enjoyed the on-line workshop, learned the importance of lettering drills and practise, and I hope to continue practising this form of lettering. I think it's freer form suits me more these days.
As in all things, practise makes perfect. I did, I think, come up with a half reasonable monogram during the second part of the Summer School workshop.
My sister has been staying with us the last couple of days. She lives 4 hours away so I don't see her regularly. We enjoyed a couple of lovely days together, going shopping for art supplies, having afternoon tea on the waterfront, watching "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society",and strolling through the Art Gallery being inspired by the art and artists we found there. An exhibition by Edith Cowan University graduates, a watercolour exhibition by various artists from the gallery's collection, Through Her Eyes by Australian women artists, exhibitions by Eamon McInerney, painted as part of his recovery following an accident, and Angela Stewart, inspired by the Italian Renaissance. And a couple of other exhibitions which made us go....hmm....
Sorry about this very poor phone photo - my phone really doesn't take decent photos in low light....
On Saturday my sister and I attended a Summer School watercolour workshop with Leanne White from Wild Eyed Press in Nannup. I love Leanne's work, and her children's books are gloriously illustrated. I have blogged about her before here What do Nannup and Gerald Durrell have in Common?
I know I still have a long way to go with my watercolour painting, and lots to learn, and I hope I can put aside some time to explore this lovely medium, among all the other things clamoring for my attention. I am not ready to share any art with you here, other than my exploration of some of the colour pallet.
If you would like to see some of Leanne's work, please go to...Leanne White Artist
These are two books I purchase from her for my great-nephews.
Summer school is over now, and as I said to another participant, it is what you do now, where it takes you, that is important. Don't expect it to happen overnight. Practise is so important. And as in the words of Salvador Dali ......
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Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope you have enjoyed my post today. Have you ever attended Summer School? What workshops did you do? Perhaps you would like to share with us in your comments. I value your comments and look forward to hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return. Have a wonderful week.
I am linking up to the link-ups below. Please click on the links to see fabulous contributions from around the world - virtual touring at its best!
Image-in-ing
Wednesday Around the World at Communal Global hosted by Randomosity.
Travel Photo Thursday
Wednesday Around the World at Communal Global hosted by Randomosity.
Travel Photo Thursday
Hello there! I love reading your comments. If you scroll down to the bottom you can comment too! I would love to hear from you.
It is so much fun and stimulating to do creative things. It looks and sounds as though you had a great time.
ReplyDeleteHello, Jill! I hope to see more of your art work. The watercolor is so pretty and colorful. The children's books look cute. It is nice you were able to spend time with your sister. Happy Monday, enjoy your day and new week ahead.
ReplyDeleteI have been participating in a 30-day drawing challenge this month. It's been lots of fun and the other artists (much more experienced than I am) have been so willing to share their knowledge. Learning calligraphy sounds like fun. Nice printing to go with my drawings would be a nice addition. - Margy
ReplyDeleteYour color pallet is art. It always surprises me when I see rich and dark watercolors. I still think of watercolors as being light and pastel-like. Reading about your workshops has me itching to take an art class for the fun of it.
ReplyDeleteYour colors are warm and sunny making me smile. Isn't creative classes fun?
ReplyDeleteJill - it is such a coincidence that the calligraphy class was being led by a botanical artist when my drawing book is a Botanical Hand-lettering Workbook! It is so important to find something that suits you, especially if it requires practice - in my experience, I just won't make time for something that does not hold my interest. My oldest sister and I share crafting in common - she is visiting in February - maybe we'll take a class together! Thanks for inspiring all of the Mosaic Monday readers, especially with the Dali quote!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun and so creative!
ReplyDeleteI too have a sister...mine lives a long way away! It's nice to spend time together like the two of you did. I dabble in painting & sketching but have never tried calligraphy...more power to you! I am impressed.
ReplyDeleteLovely post. I adore tgat Dali quote
ReplyDeleteMuch💖💖💖love
Hello Jill,
ReplyDeleteHaha, I like the Salvador Dali's quote! It's true that with any art form one needs to overcome fear of not being perfect. After all your inner self is exposed to the world.
In Holland kids learn to print in school, no cursive letters. That is is why at times it takes me time deciphering hand written capital letters!
Many thanks about your inspirational post for All Seasons this week:)
Junieper/Jesh StG
I love those books and will look for them. I like to read children's books...a nice break from regular reading! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteHi Jill - so much to do in the Summer. The workshop with Leanne White would have been so interesting
ReplyDeleteYour energy level and enthusiasm for learning and doing simply make me feel like a slug. . .but they also make for the most entertaining posts and I so look forward to reading about what you have been doing!! Keep up the adventures and writing about them!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jackie, sometimes though I know that I am doing way too much!
DeleteNice hobby! :)
ReplyDelete