A MESSAGE FROM THE GUILD PRESIDENT
Can’t believe it’s October! I hope everyone is well and
healthy and staying safe. Seems this is going to be the new normal for a while.
Anyway –
What have you been doing? I have kept busy, too busy. Still
haven’t settled into enjoying anything that I have learned in the classes! I
keep telling myself that I will stop taking these classes and just play and
then I see a class and well, I can’t seem to let it slide by.
I started out July with Maria Helena Hoksch, this was for 3
week ends, running from 2:00pm to 4:30pm each day (6 sessions) this was on
design, decoration and illustration and was in the form of a webinar so there
wasn’t any work involved for those of us watching, but a lot of note taking.
This was on Zoom through “The European Pointed Pen Collective”, a wonderful
organization that is very sharing and caring
I also had four 1 hour classes with Nina Tran on Copperplate
majuscules. I had 4 sessions with Gemma Black on Fractur through Ardington
Academy on Zoom and I had to get up at 4:30 am for this 5:00am class. But it
was worth it! Next was 3 sessions with Yukimi Annand doing “Drawn and Built-Up
Capitals” (Zoom) through Pen Dragons. If anyone has taken a class through Pen
Dragons they go all out to make the experience as wonderful as it can be. They
mailed all participants bound copies of Yukimi’s examples! This workshop was on
the letters of Hermann Killian and Yukimi has done a wonderful study of them!
In August I started with Carol DuBosh and Ben Shahn letters,
this was a fun 2 hour class (on Zoom). Then I Zoomed with Joy Daniels “Getting
Back to Basics” a wonderful relaxing and very informative week-end. This also
was through the European Pointed Pen Collective and they have a wonderful
interview with her on their website. At the end of August I Zoomed with Rachel
Yallop for 2 sessions on “The Swelling Line”. A wonderful class on flourishing
copperplate. I have both books that Rachel has put out “A Simple Copperplate
Manual” and “Copperplate Variations”. Both are excellent. Julie Wildman ‘s
Alphabet book was also in August , designing an alphabet and creating an
accordion book (wonderful). So much fun, Julie is a wonderful and sharing
teacher!
In September I signed up for Marina Soria, “The Empty Space
–Womb of Shape” which won’t finish up until October 5. This class was devoted
to the negative space and using it creatively.
Also signed up for Yves Leterme “Thoughtful Gestures” through Harvest
Crittenden’s Acorn Arts. This is for 6 sessions, you watch his videos and send
in “homework” for him to critique.
Julie Wildman’s “Inside Curve” was next, exploring letter shapes. Carol
DuBosch and “Hand Embossing” was a wonderful exercise, lots of tips and ideas
for our art pieces. Finally a class with Pat Blair on “Flourished Copperplate
Capitals”
I have three classes
scheduled for October, Heather Held’s “Enchanted Meadow” this is through the
Michigan Association of Calligraphy. One day workshop 10:00am to 4:00pm. Then
starting on October 11th
Heather Held , again “The Poetic Pen” this is on Italian hand. On
October 8th and 9th I will spend time with Pat Blair for
her “Ornamental Flourishing Harvest and Holiday.
Is there a doctor in the house, I think I have a problem and
really need to stop! A dear friend sent me a book called “OCD Obsessive
Calligraphy Disorder” by Jean Wilson and Cheryl Adams. I believe this is what I
am suffering from. I need to get myself under control! I think I need
calligraphers anonymous!
MENTIONED IN THIS MESSAGE:
Heather Held - https://heathervictoriaheld.com/
Maria Helena Hoksch - https://calligraphybymariahelena.com/
European Pointed Pen Collective - https://www.pointedpencollective.com/
Harvest Crittenden – Acorn Arts - https://acornartsclasses.org/
Nina Tran - http://anintran.com/
Gemma Black- http://www.gemmablack.com/
Ardington Academy - https://www.ardingtonacademy.com/#/
Yukimi Annand - https://yukimiannand.com/
Yukimi’s website is currently under construction , but you
can see some of her work.
Pen Dragons - https://www.pendragonscalligraphy.org/
Carol DuBosch - https://www.caroldubosch.com/
Joy Daniels - http://joydanielscalligraphy.co.uk/
Rachel Yallop - http://www.rachelyallop.co.uk/
Gallery
Some of the work of our fabulous members
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Angie West
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Angie West
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Anna Schlemma
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Anna Schlemma
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Anna Schlemma
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| Ginny VanderHey |
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Ginny VanderHey
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Judy Theurel
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Linda Elder
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Linda Elder
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| Maureen Trubac |
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| Maureen Trubac |
HIP HIP HOORAY
A great big cheer for our Commander-in-Chief, Renee Tuveson
for navigating us through our “can’t be together at the church for meetings”
time this year. Renee has painstakingly found a way for us to hold a meeting on
an app called Zoom. Zoom is a program that is used to hold meetings,
conferences and family get togethers during the COVid Pandemic of 2020.
The COVid virus of 2020 has taken away our ability to get
together as family, friends, co-workers, etc. For some that means no birthday
parties, weddings, dinners, because this would put us all at risk, especially
us older folks. Going to the nursing homes to visit our geriatric relatives was
impossible and only visiting them through windows was the only option
available.
Renee figured out how to host a meeting, for whoever wanted
to participate, so that we could see and talk to other members of the Michiana
Calligraphy Guild. Renee also did a power point demonstration of artwork if
someone wanted to show their work that they had recently done and we could talk
about the process that work involved.
We all miss our friends and family, but thanks to Renee and
her tech savvy, we were able to see familiar faces and hear voices that we have
not been able to hear for the past almost 4 months now. She went above and
beyond to get us together. Thank you so much Renee Tuveson for bringing us
together when we have to stay apart. Hopefully we will be able to have our
picnic at the church in August, even though we will still sit “six feet apart”.
Maybe someone wants to letter those words!
Ginny VanderHey
Note from Renee:The aborNove article was obviously written several months ago. I appreciate Ginny’s kind words but was a little embarrassed to add this to the blog and have since been convinces to publish it. Thank you Ginny for the article and you and the other members of this guild mean a lot to me. I enjoy our time together and am pleased that so many of you still come to our meetings. Technology cam be overwhelming, it is f me. But I felt I had to do
it and I am so glad I did. Love you all!
OCD
(Or commonly known as Obsessive Calligraphy Disorder)
Ginny VanderHey
I didn’t realize that I have a disease with a name attached
to it; until Renee Tuveson pointed out that she has it too. We have been
obsessed with this disease since March when we were all quarantined because of
COVID 19. We had to cancel our Amity Parks workshop because of the virus that
was spreading like wildfire all over the world. Now what were we going to do
with our time? Sure, we had lots of paper and tools in our art rooms to keep us
busy, but we needed inspiration to keep us trying new things and growing in our
calligraphic life.
If I remember correctly, the first online Zoom class I
noticed was one that the Dallas/Ft. Worth Calligraphy Guild was sponsoring with
Tamer Ghoneim who did blackletter lettering in a circle. This was a free Zoom
class and lots of people that we could actually see and talk to. Tamer is a
very talented and and pretty new calligrapher who generously gave his time
showing everyone who was interested in his lettering techniques. I loved his
work and went straight to my art room and table to start writing in blackletter
and enhancing it with designs in between the letters that he showed us how to
do.
Next up was Jacqueline Sullivan who did an online Zoom class
about painting a landscape in Jacqueline’s unique style. I didn’t actually
finish that painting but someday, hopefully, I will get back to it.
After Jacqueline Sullivan’s class, I was hooked and started
looking for classes online to keep me
inspired. I have taken three classes with Calligraphaltalia that is hosted by
Ali Riccardo in Italy. First was Jurgen Vercamst demonstrating his pencil lettering.
He was nervous about his first class on day one, but on day two, he was more
relaxed and more enjoyable. Both days were wonderful and we learned a lot about
pencil and shading. Next was Gemma Black teaching Scriffito which is laying
down gold leaf and scratching into it. The gold is softer than you think and
Gemma showed us that all the things she does with this technique. The third
class is currently with Marina Soria who lives in Buenos Aries. She is doing
abstract calligraphy and I suggest you look her up to see her work which is
stunning. Her classes are one hour for four Mondays which actually turn into
almost 2 hours so we are getting a bonus every week. On the second week of this
class, I also also had a Carol DuBosch class on embossing which turned out to
be on the same day as the second Marina Soria class, and, they were back to
back. Luckily Carol finished her class at about 2:58 pm which gave me time to
get into the second Zoom class of the day. Whew!
Also took two classes with my dear friend Julie Wildman on
Fun and Funky letters and The Inside Curve. Both classes were a lot of fun and
Julie is always generous with her information to help you achieve your
lettering goals.
I happened to see Rachel Yallop on Instagram advertising a
class on her beautiful pointed pen lettering and knew that I would have to get
into that class. I contacted her once about coming to South Bend a few years
back to do a workshop and she replied with “you know I am in England, right?”
Oops, no! I thought she was in Canada! So, I immediately signed up for her
class. She also, was very generous in answering any questions that came her way
and I absolutely loved being in her class for two days.
Next I saw Amity Parks was going to do a two-day, two-hour
workshop on the middle of October. I knew we are going to have her in South
Bend in 2021, but I thought I would get a head start on her beautiful pencil
lettering and shading. I took an Amity Parks class in Kalamazoo called Chunky
Caps using Bister Ink maybe two years ago and really enjoyed her teaching
style.
A few days ago, I signed up for a Pat Blair class on Zoom.
Par Blair was the White House calligrapher for many years and does beautiful
pointed pen work. I actually was able to take a class with her in Kalamazoo
several years ago. This class will be called Ornamental Flourishing Harvest
& Holiday. I love the pointed pen, so this is right up my alley. It does
say beginner on her ad for this class, so I wrote to her to make sure it wasn’t
too elementary for me. She responded to my email very quickly and assured me
that it wasn’t just for beginners so I knew I had to sign up for it.
So, as far as I know, I have not signed up for any more
classes after the middle of October. We will be leaving early in November for
our home in Florida for a few months and unfortunately, I cannot take all my
art supplies with me, darn it! But, there is always Paper and Ink and John Neal
to order supplies. If you haven’t yet tried a class on Zoom, give it a try.
It’s the next best thing to being in a classroom surrounded by fellow artist
and maybe you will see Renee and I there too, and Linda Elder, and Julie
Wildman, and Pat West and Laurie Heyden, Yukimi Annand, etc. and more than
likely see calligraphers that you’ve wanted to take classes from that like
taking online calligraphy classes also.
Okay, a big show of hands here…who thinks I have Obsessive
Calligraphy Disorder this year? Anyone, anyone…
A big thank you to Renee Tuveson for keeping us in the loop
about what is going on in our guild through Zoom. Even though we cannot be
together in person, I am enjoying seeing my artsy friends on the screen and
chatting with them even for just a few minutes.
CALENDAR
October10: Zoom Meeting and Book Exchange
November 7:Zoom Meeting TBD
December 5:Xmas Exchange TBD
THINGS OF INTEREST
John Neal Book
https://www.johnnealbooks.com/
Paper and Ink Arts
https://www.paperinkarts.com/
OUR CHRISTMAS EXCHANGE
Here is the original proposal for the Christmas Exchange we
will keep up updated through the Zoom meetings and emails.
MICHIANA CALLIGRAPHY GUILD BOOKPLATE EXCHANGE for December, 2020
Project: Design a bookplate with a blank space for someone’s name.
Purpose: If the recipient wishes, she can make photocopies of the
design and adhere it to books in her library.
Size and media: 3” wide
by 4” high in portrait layout,
because most books are taller than they are wide. The original design could be
much larger and then be shrunk down in size via photocopying. Any kind of paper
and any graphic medium may be used, such as pencil, pen, marker, brush,
charcoal, watercolor, etc.
Deadline: Nov. 10th, to
send Renee an image of your design; and to mail your original design (or a
photocopy if it has to be reduced in size) together with a stamped
self-addressed envelope to Laura Fuderer, 18485
Garwood Ct., South Bend IN 46637. She will draw names at random and send
a bookplate to each participant before the December meeting. Wait to open your “gift” until the December
meeting.
Purpose: Obviously, bookplates are meant to identify the owner of
a particular book, but they can also convey the pride the owner feels in their
collection or the hope that a book will be returned by a borrower. They often
have the words, “Ex libris” or the English, “From the library of”, followed by a blank space for the owner’s name. Or not.
Design: What’s depicted on a bookplate
is wide open to the imagination. It can be an illustration that is realistic,
symbolic, or abstract; or the plate can be just words, such as the classic
threat:
“who folds a leafe downe
Ye divel toaste browne
Who makes marke or blotte
Ye divel roaste hotte
Who stealeth thisse booke
Ye divel shall cooke.”
Historically, designs tended to be armorial and
depicted the owner’s coat of arms and crest on
a shield surrounded by a mantle (i.e., the cloak that a knight wore to the
crusades) and a banner inscribed with the family motto. Later bookplates were
more pictorial and might portray a landscape, the family home, an individual
reading a book, a library interior, a book or pile of books, animals, trees, a
favorite hobby, and so on. Open books, library interiors, and a scene viewed
through a library window have been favorite themes. While most bookplates have
been pictorial objects or scenes captured in black and white, there’s no reason they can’t
incorporate abstract, geometric, or floral patterns and be produced in color.
Really, the sky’s the limit.
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
To Be Determined
POLICY FOR MCG
Our workshops seem to have people sign up and then decide
not to attend. We have been very generous in returning monies paid for the
workshop if someone decides not to attend at the last minute, but we are going
to have a change in this policy. There will be a nominal fee if you drop out of
a workshop. If there would be an emergency, for instance the birth of a grandchild,
illness, etc., then the board will take this under advisement to decide on a
course of action regarding a refund. Also, if the workshop is filled, and there
is someone to take your place, that would also qualify for a refund. So please,
if you want to sign up foe the workshop, make sure that you put that date on
your calendar as a commitment. We have a small calligraphy group and we
struggle to fill workshops at times. We need all of you to attend as many as
possible so that we can continue to have quality instructors.
ARE YOU ON FACEBOOK?
If so, look up your favorite calligraphers, because they are
on Facebook also. I like to look at Barbara Blose, Reggie Ezell, Julian Waters,
John Stevens, Rachel Yallop, Pendragons, Capital City Scribes, Yukimi Annand,
etc.. There are lots of beautiful calligraphy on these pages that will get you
inspired. Also look at Joanne Fink and Barbara Lever’s Facebook pages. Be sure
to check Pinterest, so many places to be inspired!
P.O. BOX IN SOUTH BEND
Due to a lack of much mail at our Post Office box in South
Bend we have suspended any mail sent to that address. If you have anything to
send to the Michiana Calligraphy Guild, please send to Laurie Heyden, 18292
Courtland Dr., South Bend, Indiana 46637 or Renee Tuveson, 928 Finch Dr., South
Bend, Indiana 46614.
AMERICAN FRAME
Just a reminder that if you order from American Frame,
please mention MCG, and the will give
is a small stipend.
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP
Annual dues of $15 are due at the July meeting. Our annual
dues have not changed in many years and are put to good use for supplies for
our Make It/Take It at meetings and our annual raffle in August, and in
December our donation to local charities. Please remember to bring your dues to
the July meeting or send to Laurie Heyden, our treasurer at 18292 Courtland
Dr., South Bend, Indiana 46637.
OFFICIERS
Renee Tuveson, President and Blog, rtuveson@hotmail.com
Marty Mitchell, Vice President, martyjmm@gmail.com
Laurie Heyden, Treasurer, silverbird323@jahoo.com
Judy Theurel, Secretary, judy@theurel.com
Sharon Esmont, Study Group sesmont@aol.com
