Since starting this blog, I have become more aware of global reach of calligraphy. This month, Moscow is hosting The II International Exhibition of Calligraphy. Look at this list of participants! There’s hours of online exploration here! Or choose to view the gallery. An incredible range of work showing the international appeal of the letter arts.
On a good morning — those mornings when I don’t stumble directly to the kitchen for coffee — I start the day with the five Tibetan Rites. The first rite is whirling, like a dervish. And so Morning Dervish came to be.
This dervish has now whirled south to be a part of an exhibition at the Naples Museum of Art, entitled The Saint John’s Bible and the Art of the Book. Needless to say, it is honored to participate!
Sneak preview of some of new work — quite experimental at this point. I’ve recently taken an acrylic painting course with Timothy Hoey (Tim Rocks!) and he helped me start moving in a new direction with glazes and textures... fun!
At first glance, calligraphy seems to be so focussed on the man-made. Drawn or pen-made letters, philosophical quotes, rulers and grids. We study the history of letters, which intertwines with the history of today’s dominant cultures.
Because I draw so much inspiration from nature, I’ve often wondered why I don’t paint watercolour landscapes or florals or pet portraits? Why am I so strongly drawn to letterforms? Why, when I doodle, is it inevitably a letter? Something so removed from the natural world.
Or is it? Recently, I've been paying attention to the many shapes in nature that mimic calligraphy. Or rather the many shapes in nature that contemporary calligraphy mimics! Sit back and look at the photos at right — the calligraphic shapes are obvious, but take it one step further and identify a contemporary calligrapher who uses these forms in their work — the relationship is surprisingly easy to see!
Perhaps what we seek in our calligraphy is the replication of nature’s casual grace, simplicity of pattern or riot of texture. For all the years of human design history, nature still leads us forward with an ever-changing environment filled with inspiration.
There’s much talk in the calligraphic world about freedom vs. discipline — and mini-battles sometimes take place between those who advocate disciplined, legible work and those who prefer expressive, abstract and/or illegible work.
It seems to me that calligraphers — more than most artists — are like athletes. Our work depends on years of disciplined practice, but comes down to “a performance”, a given moment when tool touches down on paper, vellum or canvas. A crucial moment because ink is indelible. Too loose and we make a mess. Too tight and the performance appears strained.
So, like athletes, are we not wise to cross-train? Like a runner who lifts weights, we can retain freshness, balance and longevity if we vary our workouts. Sometimes, a disciplined workshop where we focus on form, later a crazy experiment which may or may not work. Always, at the end, a bit of analysis of what worked and what didn’t.
Yes, there is the risk of the inexperienced calligrapher who might “injure” themselves by flourishing long before they have the skill to pull it off, just as a runner might strain a muscle. It will set back their career, leave them floundering for a bit. But it is also part of the process of learning to find the sweet spot where spontaneity meets control and the results soar.
A team of our friends down under are launching a new calligraphy blog, Calligraffia which will feature “calligraphy news, views, reviews, interviews & how-tos” from around the globe.
Their launch today, February 13th, coincides with the first anniversary of the Apology to Australia’s Indigenous Peoples, and the first posting is an interview (by blogger, Rhonda Ayliffe) with calligrapher, Gemma Black, who scribed the motion for the Australian Parliament — an interesting read.
Like my Grandmother, and others who love to entertain, Canada has a guestbook. It is called “Canada’s Golden Book” and is signed by visiting heads of state. A page for a visiting dignitary includes a illumination of their national flag, their name and date of the visit. (Apologies that I don’t have better quality photos.) When I was in Ottawa last November, I met one of the scribes who has done many of the inscriptions, Judith Jaimet Bainbridge. Judith’s clients have included the Chancellery of Canadian Orders and Decorations, The Heraldry Authority of the Governor-Gerneral, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the Secretary of State. Her work graces the Merchant Navy Book of Remembrance and the document granting the Coat of Arms of the Territory of Nunavut.
Judith’s work on Canada’s Golden Book started with the entry for Bill and Hillary Clinton and ended with the 50th anniversary for Queen Elizabeth. She’s now retired, and spending her time with other interesting projects. In March, she’ll be coming here to Victoria to give a presentation and two-day workshop for members of the Fairbank Calligraphy Society. We eagerly anticipate her arrival!
Psst. And a little bird tells me that Canada’s Golden Book is being prepared for the first visit of President Barack Obama by calligrapher, Karen Mackay and heraldic artist, Debra Macgarvie.
In the midst of a cold Canadian winter, it is nice to travel, mentally, to sunnier climes. I can get a shot of warmth looking at the work of SanDiego-based artist and calligrapher, Susan Richardson. Susan and I sat side-by-side at the Island Magic Conference in 2007, and she is as warm and interesting as her work. She’s recently updated her website and added an online store where she sells giclee prints at very reasonable prices! Enjoy!
I recently had a lovely visit from Richmond’s Anna Zhao, who studies and practices calligraphy in the Shou Jin style. She came bearing gifts — including this gorgeous fan on which she had written my name.
She gave me this background information: The ‘Shou Jin’ style (literal translation being “slender gold”) was developed by empire Zhao Jie of the Song dynasty from AD1082-1135.
He was a very talented artists gifted in various forms of artwork including water colour painting and stamps. He was also known to have hosted many events promoting and celebrating various forms of art. The ‘Shou Jin’ style was carried on to his son Zhao Gou who further developed the structure and appearance.
Zhao Jie and his son Zhao Gou are regarded as an odd pair in Chinese history because it was rare for a father and his son to become calligraphers when being a part of a Chinese royal family. Although they are well respected and admired by millions of Chinese today for their art, they were both bad with dealing with country affairs. That is the reason for the idiomatic saying “Doing things as badly as the empire of the Song dynasty” we often hear today.
Thank you, Anna!
Strangely, it didn’t occur to me that when the Calligraphy Society of Ottawa invited me to teach a two-day workshop, that I’d be meeting Canada’s “national scribes”. Perhaps that was for the best. Had I understood that earlier, I would have been very intimidated by those in attendence at my evening slide presentation and weekend workshop!
Though I had been to Ottawa many times, I confess I had never visited our national Memorial Chamber located in the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill, and was unaware of The Books of Remembrance displayed there.
I had a day to spend in Ottawa, and my excellent hostess, Pat Gregoire, whisked me off to ‘The Hill’ to see the books, chatting to me about the scribes who wrote them and sharing anecdotes about their work. It was a beautiful November day, just several days prior to Remembrance Day, and the green lawns of Parliament Hill were full of visitors. But in the vaulted Memorial Chamber, we grew quiet while examining the books — marvelling at the craftsmanship, but also keenly aware of the larger significance of these massive volumes — each and every name represents one life lost in service to our country.
As a scribe, I can well imagine the enormity of taking on such a task. First of all, nerves of steel are required. Though these pages are intentionally simple when compared to some manuscripts (we’re SO Canadian!), each page still involves painstaking hours of work — including watercolour illustrations, heraldic paintings and illumination.
Pat examined the pages closely, picking out the penmanship of various scribes. We don’t know all the names of the scribes involved, but we do know that John Whitehead, the founder of the Calligraphy Society of Ottawa, was both a scribe and mentor to the calligraphers who work on the books today.
I will be writing more about these books — their depth and historic importance deserve more than one blog post. But I will sign off this post urging anyone visiting Ottawa to take some time for The Peace Tower. If you’re Canadian, like me, your impression of Parliament Hill may be largely set by bickering politicians on the evening news.
Who knew the pride and pleasure of being Canadian could be rekindled by an impromptu visit to ‘The Hill’?!
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Shown above, top to bottom:
The Second World War Book of Remembrance honours over 44,800 Canadians who died in the 1939-1945 war.
The South Africa - Nile Expedition Book of Remembrance contains the names of 283 soldiers killed between 1899 and 1902, and 1884-85 respectively.
The Newfoundland Book of Remembrance honours the 2,363 Newfoundlanders who died during World War 1 and World War 2.
The In the Service of Canada Book of Remembrance, the most recent book added in the Memorial Chamber honours those who continued a Canadian tradition of selflessness and courage and offered the supreme sacrifice in the military service of our country since October 1947.
Calligraphers, at least most of them that I know, are a pretty laid back bunch. So when I started attending the events of the Fairbank Calligraphy Society, Sue Fraser quickly stood out. She was the one making wisecracks in the serious meetings, sat at the rowdiest table at our yearly YellowPoint gathering, and just generally lightened the mood of any room she entered. She also stood out as a talented watercolourist and calligrapher.
A trip to Tuscany in 2006 resulted in a spectacular watercolour journal of over 30 pages. (Two pages are shown above.)
Sadly, my friendship with Sue was relatively short... we lost her to cancer this summer... but even while ill, she was planning a party. So, last weekend, along with her family, friends and members of both the West Coast Calligraphy Society and Fairbank Society, I attended the Celebration of Life for Susan Logie Fraser.
Sue’s calligraphy on the invitation included these words, “I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one... I’d like to leave an after-glow of smiles when life is done, I’d like to leave an echo whispering soft down the way... ”
What a bittersweet event – there were tears and laughter as we remembered Sue. Her plans for the day included members of the Fairbank Society creating weathergrams (tags on which were written memories of Sue) which we hung on a potted tree and gave to her husband, Chris. There was excellent music, (including an original tribute composed by her son-in-law) wine and food, and lots of Sue’s wonderful art. Sue’s young grandchildren handed out cards featuring her calligraphy, to each guest. I received the one shown below, “Do not stand by my grave and weep...”
As I put the final touches on plans to teach in Ottawa in November – teaching a workshop that Sue first suggested I teach and helped me to organize, I have to pause and think of Sue. And smile. In her after-glow. 
More beautiful Islamic art, this time the work of Jordanian calligrapher, Ibrahim Abu-Touq. This piece is called "Disappeared 1".
I recently had a question from Anonymous on cleaning pens, so I’m linking to a recipe for Pen & Brush cleaner which I found on Mary Lawler’s blog. I normally clean my nibs by soaking them in solution of glass cleaner (which contains ammonia) and water. This looks like a stronger version of that, which I’ll try if I have a major pen problem. Another option is Spray Nine, which works really well when a strong pen cleaner is needed.
Also, Anonymous, take your Pilot Parallel pen apart as far as possible... that means right down to pulling out the two metal plates which form the nib. Soak the parts, then rinse and reassemble. Should work.
Another reader also suggested using a ultrasonic cleaner, which I haven't yet tried, but which sounds great.
For those visitors who listened to our CBC radio interview, here’s a direct link to the pages of Malik Anas, who continues to produce amazing contemporary Iraqi calligraphy.
I’ve been creating monograms lately ... using the 6.0mm Pilot Parallel pen and my favorite colour of J.Herbin ink, “Ambre de Birmanie”. Some letters are just so much fun! Like N and K.
Sheryl Mackay, host of CBC Radio’s “North by Northwest” program tells me our “calligraphy conversation” will be on-air tomorrow just after the 7:00 news. So if you’re up at that hour, tune in!
Okay, so I’ve been neglecting this blog! Blame it on the sunshine, the lure of a Canadian summer... maybe too much time spent on facebook or youtube...
Anyway, summer is pretty much over, so I’ll start sharing some of the new links and work I’ve discovered. Let's start with the interesting work of Nikheel Aphale (not Nikhil!) of New Delhi, India. His blog felt so familiar to me... and I love his pieces which combine photography and calligraphy, like this.
This weekend, I will be exploring my roots: heading east to meet with my family in Ontario, then south to a family reunion in Carlisle, PA, where I was born. I hope to learn a bit more about one of my ancestors: John Bear (1761-1836) who was a scrivener in Berks County, PA. Some of his documents are stored in the Pennsylvania State Archives in Harrisburg.
Which leaves me wondering: this strange interest in letters I have — which seems quite out of place compared to the interests of other members of my family(!) — does it possibly run in the blood? I wonder if any other calligraphers out there have discovered a link to an earlier scribe? Would love to hear from you if you have.
On Saturday (05/31/08), I head to Vancouver to speak with Sheryl Mackay of CBC's North by Northwest radio program. I’m not sure when our taping will air, but it could be as soon as Sunday morning. I’ll post it here as soon as I know... ! [Link]
