I am in the library of the country club here in the Sedona area, standing in front of my own calligraphy. This commission came from the interior decorator redoing this room. Her idea was to have framed quotes about books on the walls.
On the top are the words of Cicero:" A room without books is like a body without a soul". This Roman, who died in 43 BC, was obviously a reader. Below is a quote from John Ruskin, (1819 -1900.) " No Book is worth anything until it has been read". There are a few other framed selections around the room.
My work is dated 2004, which kind of caught me by surprise. Where did all those years go ? The good thing is I am still pleased with how it looks, which as an artist is always what we want.
I chose to write in the Uncial style of alphabet, historically one of the oldest, used in the earliest manuscripts. I like this hand and it seemed the correct choice since I could add decorative embellishments. It's fun to do that.
Calligraphy is such an ancient art form. It has stood the test of time and reminds us how important a tool is the the human hand. I am pleased to see my own calligraphy is still an art form that lasts.
My last blog was all about creating with paste paper.On the left is one of my pages. I like the filmy watercolor look it has.Here is my own version of a haiku poem about the experience.
Gliding over wet paper
Colors float in fluid paste
Slowly art emerging.
Next step: create the book.
The large sheet of paper is folded, torn into four sections with deckle edges, those lovely,ragged borders on handmade paper. Fold and score the paper, then tear it over a hard edge.The book can be horizontal, or vertical in shape, depending on the artist's vision. I chose the taller size to fit my own verse.
Essentially one paper, painted on both sides, folds and becomes four pages. There is a good reason to pick the same colors and painting style for some sense of continuity. However, expect the unexpected! I included some plain sheets and rice paper for contrast and a different writing surface.
This open page I am showing is all written in the uncial style of calligraphy.I liked its linear quality for this poem. I wrote with watercolors that echoed those of the paste paper page. I cut out windows to showcase words; added designs to decorate; things to make me smile. Finally, the sheets were sewn together into a book of sixteen pages, plus cover.
Every page is a surprise when using paste paper and poetry.
