Joy of Calligraphy starts Jan. 13

Start the new year with a nice dose of relaxation, rejuvenation and some fun, artistic learning. You will be introduced to the details about tools, letterforms, fun projects and other pertinent information for your level of experience. Both beginners and continuing students are welcome in all sessions. Ages 16 and up. Homeschoolers welcome!

Foundational (Roman)
Fridays, 9 - 11 AM
Jan. 13 - Feb. 16, 6 wks
Old City Hall
5560 Hwy. 78, Sachse, TX, 75048

To register go here:
https://fs3.formsite.com/parksandrecreation/form15/secure_index.html

New Classes Starting!

Joy of Calligraphy - Beginning and Continuing
Discover the delight of the beautiful art of calligraphy! In a relaxing environment, you will be introduced to the details about tools, letterforms, practice and other pertinent information for your level of experience.

Session 1
Thursdays, 9 - 11 AM
September 8, 15, 22, 29

Session 2
Thursdays, 9 - 11 AM
October 6, 13, 20, 27

Session 3
Thursdays, 9 - 11 AM
November 3, 10, 17, Dec. 1 (no class Nov. 24)

Sachse Parks & Recreation Department
Registration begins Aug. 15 online http://www.cityofsachse.com
Mouse over Departments: Parks & Recreation: Class Brochure: Class Registration
Class fee: $65
Supply fee: $12

Perks
Large classroom space
Plenty of table space
Quiet classroom
Casual, non-intimidating atmosphere
Easy driving directions - as a point of reference, it takes 16 min. to drive from Coit/Bush to class location

My Only Hope

This isn't how I envisioned the finished product. But, I don't dislike it. You know how it goes, sometimes artwork turns out like you SEE it in your head. Sometimes it looks very different. That can be for many reasons. Maybe you don't execute some element the way you intended or the color you mixed dries much darker than you anticipated. What's really fun is when you start down your planned path, pause at a certain point and decide to take a rabbit trail which ends up leading to a very different end result. Sometimes they call it creativity. That may be, but coming up with a plan and performing it is an act of creativity, too.


This piece has a little of each process. Some parts of it I love, others not so much. Seems I always want to do a piece over when I've finished it, so that I can tweak it. I can count on ONE hand the number of times I've done that in the last 28 years.


I had a teacher who was known for doing multiples of her pieces every time she worked. She planned everything down to the tiniest detail, then worked on each piece as if it were the finished piece. After completing half a dozen or more of the same piece, she would then scrutinize them all and decide which was best and that became her final. I've always held that ideal in my mind. I've never done it. Don't know if I've even produced three of one work before.


Maybe I should. What do you think? What do you do?

Artist's Trading Cards

Artist's Trading Cards (or ATCs) are great fun, don't necessarily take a lot of time and offer the ability of creating a lot of work at one time. If you are reading this blog, you probably already know about ATCs but just incase...they are diminutive works of art about the same size as sports trading cards, 2 ½ X 3 ½ inches (63 mm X 89 mm). Cards are produced in a wide range of media, including but not only pencil, ink, marker, watercolor, acrylic paint, pastels, collage, papercuts, found objects, metals, cloth, and many other embellishments. ATC cards are generally traded or exchanged rather than sold. The movement is said to have started in Europe around 1996, spurred by the mail art movement.

The two you see above are selections from my Christmas series. They both include dyes, watercolor, ink, collage. The brush lettering is done with gold Schmincke waterecolor. The word GREAT is written with a sparkle gel pen.

I'm Ready for My Close-up Mr. DeMille

Detail of previously posted photo.

Latest Work

It's about time. I've been working on this piece off and on for almost three years. Finish is 30 x 24 gallery wrapped canvas, using acrylics, brushes and pens. All the quotes (legible or not) are about truth. Truth is I still have tweaks I'd like to make. But, I rarely seem to really finish a piece to my satisfaction. I guess that says some deep psychological thing about me. Truth is, I still like doing this! Truthfully!

Right Here, Right Now

The visual arts group from my church just recently hung a Thanksgiving exhibit. This is the piece that I completed for it. The teal-colored text says, "There is beauty right here, right now." That quote comes from our arts pastor, John Maikowski. In a recent newsletter, he related an experience being disappointed on a camping trip when he reached a particular summit known for its beautiful views only to find fog and clouds. He said he sensed God telling him that even so, there is beauty right here, right now. John's words just grabbed me and shook me. Our family is going through a very difficult time right now. But, John has reminded me that even though I can't see the expected beauty, there are still many beautiful things in my life. It is wise for me to remember this often and be grateful for all the wonderful blessings I do have. Thank you, John. You words turn on light bulbs in my head.

Details: 24 x 36" gallery-wrapped canvas, Mixed Media (acrylic, colored pencil, charcoal, watercolor); the grayer background lettering is composed of negative words such as apprehension, hesitation, doubt, distrust, fear, confusion, etc. The whiter mid-ground words include a more positive perspective in words such as sacrifice, generosity, love, peace, patience, mercy, grace, joy, kindness, faith and the vertical word is assurance.