I decided to finally try my white ink! What do you think? I am having fun with expirementing with a few different styles. Just tweaking my "look" and how to make it flow. It isn't perfect, but it sure is one of the most sure-fire ways I know to switch yourself into left-brain mode quick! I am ready to do some more! Anyone doing modern calligraphy these days? I'd love it if you'd link up to your work.
So thinking ahead to Valentine's Day got me all in a calligraphy mood! I haven't had my calligraphy pen and ink out in a couple of months, and I had some cards that were begging for decoration. Not to mention, I am taking goodies to Charm (the boutique I consign my art at) tomorrow morning. So, that always motivates me to make a few new things!
I also took some photos of a few other things going to Charm this morning, alas...it is time to pick up the girls from school and run to ballet. I will have to post them later. But, I'll give you a hint: remember the "LOVE" letters I used as a chalkboard at this time last year for the KC Parent blog? (It is here, if you want to look back.) Well, those very same letters have gotten a whole new life for this year!
So, come back to see what's next!
Of course, we've never met. (Emily Jones & I, that is.) But, I am pretty sure if we did, we'd be instant besties. First of all, she's a graphic designer, too. And she even designs stationery and invitations (like me!) And she's super-duper fashion forward (OK, I strive to be although aren't yoga pants a lot more comfy?) Also, she's got adorable little ones (which we KNOW I have covered!) So, as you can tell I've been a big big fan of her blog, Emily Jones Design Company for a long time now.
So, I was just too excited when today, in my little email box, came this new blog posting from Emily about how she's learning calligraphy, because I wrote a couple of months about this fantastic online course I took from I Still Love Calligraphy this summer. (See my original posting about it here). And guess what?! Yep, Emily is taking this exact course! I just knew we were meant to be BFFs, right? So, the Raspberry Prairie banner (top) is one of my attempts, as well as this piece (left). Why don't you pop over to visit Emily and see how she's coming along? (And while you're there let her know that I am really a fairly normal gal, and do not stalk for new best friends....very often.)
Well, I probably shouldn't say new. Because I've always LOVED calligraphy. I can't tell you how many of those hideous blunt pens with the built-in ink cartridges I've had over the years...oh. my. And that old-school lettering, that looked like it was done by a guy in tights wearing a hat with a feather coming out of it, and he just plucked the feather right out and dipped it and started writing some sort of proclimation with an old English accent, right? Wrong. Not anymore! Have you seen the drool-worthy calligraphy online these days?
http://www.kathrynmurray.com/
Plurabelle CalligraphyThere are so many, but here are just a few. I love the colors, the styling, and the variety that can be achieved using a pointed pen. So, I actually stumbled upon an amazing calligrapher offering an online class and I've been doing a little practicing, and voila! With the help of the amazing Melissa Esplin, from I Still Love Calligraphy, I've been able to get a little bit of of my own lettered style going. Now, it of course would never compare to Melissa's work...here's a little saying she penned. These are the types of projects I look forward to doing more of, as I am such a sucker for happy little sayings, ya know?
Melissa EsplinSo, I feel super lucky to have gotten personalized feeback from Melissa and have been doing lots of practicing...I have a black ink spot on the inside on my middle finger all the time now! But, it has been too much fun. I lettered my new banner up top! I hope to have more sneak peeks to show soon.
Lauren