Gemma Black Calligrapher

2011-12-25T23:47:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas ... a glimpse of our tree!

2011-12-14T02:18:00.000-08:00

Some of the place cards I created for a dinner held at MONA

Very generously given by John & Marilyn Canterford to thank the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and to honour their departing conductor Sebastian Lang-Lessing.

2011-12-14T02:10:00.000-08:00

Steph called by for dinner and brought these stunning poppies.

It was a fabulous evening at #67

2011-11-21T21:14:00.001-08:00

I drew this “Thank You” up this afternoon. My brief was tokeep within the corporate branding mimicking the logo-type of the Company. It is ofcourse more difficult working to someone else’s brief though it works well enough I believe.

2011-11-21T21:08:00.001-08:00

I have just completed these illuminations for an engaged couple. I have hidden their names for privacy but they are written in a beautiful gold leaf copperplate reflecting the flow of the foliage. These will be mounted seperately but side by side on foamcore and floated on a backing mat in a box frame.

2011-11-21T21:00:00.001-08:00

The absolute best irises in town from the Salamanca markets!

And look, Barb's dad's moody birds.

2011-11-21T20:52:00.001-08:00

The Poppies from Duncan & Stephanie ... gorgeous!

Handwritten at the National Library of Australia

2011-11-09T23:01:00.000-08:00

Blatent advertising. Among other things on the education program there wil be a series of calligraphy classes held by members of the Canberra Calligraphy Society.

Handwritten: ten centuries of manuscript treasures from the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin

26 November 2011 – 18 March 2012
National Library of Australia

Handwritten: ten centuries of manuscript treasures from the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin features 100 unique manuscript treasures from Germany’s largest library.

From medieval illuminated manuscripts to the letters and works of world-renowned writers, explorers, scientists and philosophers, visitors to Canberra have a rare opportunity to view priceless manuscripts created over a period of more than 1000 years.

Handwritten is a who’s who of some of the world’s greatest thinkers and creators. Browse exquisite illuminated manuscripts, rare letters, sketches, documents and priceless musical scores, including Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Newton, Galileo, Descartes, Nightingale and Einstein, to name just a few.

The collection of musical scores alone is extraordinary. Never before have such significant manuscripts by Handel, Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn, Brahms and nine other famous German composers come to Australia.

From Dante’s Divine Comedy to Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, this is a not-to-be-missed chance to come face to face with significant moments in human endeavour. There are explanatory notes throughout and the National Library has also created ‘The Mind’, a relaxed space where people can take a moment to immerse themselves in the content of the exhibition and access the complementary digital resources.

The National Library of Australia in Canberra is the only Australian venue.

Book your free ticket at http://profile.eventarc.com/profile/handwritten

the full quid

2011-11-03T21:29:00.000-07:00

Heather Lee gave me this paper Fabriano Uno when I was visiting Red Deer. I had never used nor seen it before. Feels like about 300gsm. It is beautiful for both pencil work and gouache ... just beautiful. This work has been done with a .035 propelling pencil, Schmincke gouache and a 1/2 Brause.

If we didn't do this we would die ...

2011-11-03T00:55:00.000-07:00

Detail

Ancora Imparo

2011-09-28T22:06:00.000-07:00

Ancora Imparo: A little gold piece 15 x 15 x 3.5cm

copper & gold leaf, collage & painting on canvas.
It is a little Latin quote attributed to Michaelangelo
translated to "I am still learning". It is also Monash University's motto.

2011-09-10T01:26:00.000-07:00

Canberra Calligraphy Society 25th anniversary cake designed and made by Sara Rawlingson

In January 1986 three friends, Ricky Edmunds, Ali O'Flaherty and myself held a public meeting to gather interest to create the Canberra Calligraphy Society. It was a well attended evening held at Bruce Technical College during one of Canberra's ferocious summer storms. What a way to start a Society!

Now twenty-five years later some of those who joined in the early days are still with us, some have moved aways and sadly some have passed away. It is however, still a vibrant and wonderful Society to belong to. All best wishes to the the Canberra people who have continued to pursue and promote the pen's excellence.

A Brush With Silence - the original

2011-09-05T23:24:00.001-07:00

Herewith Brody's original A Brush With Silence:

http://www.blautann-film.de/dokumentarfilme/weitere-dokumentarfilme/a-brush-with-silence.html

Again, stunning!

A Brush with Silence

2011-09-01T21:37:00.000-07:00

An inspiring film:
http://j-laf.org/mojikaku2010/

This writing performance originated from “ A Brush with Silence”, an idea developed by Brody Neuenschwander.

Townsville - Calligraphy & Music

2011-08-23T00:29:00.000-07:00

When David was invited to perform at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music, I contacted my friends in Townsville to say I may be coming and would they like a workshop of their choosing if I came too. Delighted with the response from Sue, I ran a workshop called Layered Lettering which involved coloage & colour as well. The group Coral Sea Calligraphers, who I have taught for before were just as lovely and responsive as always. And, from the first evening's "meet & greet at Isabelle & John's home, to the workshop itself at the Jame Cook University Art School, the Townsville hospitality was exceptional.

Rae Smith devoted a good deal of her time to entertaining me around the galleries, cafes, artists studios & shops and other places of interest. I thank her for her time and energy ... we had a ball!!!!

The Australian Fesitval of Chamber Music excelled in fine musician and craftsmanship. The performers and performances were marvelous. From Bach in the Cathedral to Jazz on Magnetic Island with Sharny Russell & George Golla & David Nuttall's brilliant "Misty". I am still coming down from the high this workshop and music experience has left me with.

Class Scene

Isabelle & Rae

Coral Sea Calligraphers

Rehearsing in the Catholic Cathedral, Townsville

Vernon, Louise, David & Simon

2011-08-23T00:10:00.000-07:00

These are the first few letters in my second alphabet for 2011 in ALaW.

Gessoed black paper with pencil letterforms & peircings.

What's on the drawing board ...

2011-08-22T18:44:00.000-07:00

A golden commission and a table full of vellum.

A lovely little commission as a gift for Vonda. I am pretty certain Vonda shan't be reading my blog.

A Letter a Week ... is well under way. I have cut my 7cm x 7cm squares from gessoes panels of black. The lettering is coming along slowly and I am squezing ALaW in with the commissions. Look out for the piercings to come!

Red Deer, Alberta Canada

2011-08-06T05:17:00.000-07:00

An interesting find in Red Deer: the Bradley Stencil Machine Co. Stencil Maker.

I taught a very eager class at Red Deer College in Alberta Canada just a few weeks ago in July. In this workshop we explored the development of the versal form and studied the hand from the Stowe Charter, a Cnut charter hard. We covered pen and ink lettering as well as pencil drawing. There was a very strong emphasis on good letterforms, study techniques and research methods. The class was great fun, the student very receptive and interactive.

Detail of the Stencil Maker. I would have loved to use this maching for letter making artworks.

Oh Canada! A desert on the menu on our last night celebration ... Oh Tummy!

Participants table at the students showcase.

Teaching colleague Massimo Polello from Italy

With Heather Lee who made it the Red Deer workshop happen for me. I am grateful to Heather for her generocity and friendship.

Piercings

2011-08-06T04:44:00.000-07:00

I have started a series of work which include piercings. I was inspired by these little trinkets, some of which I took to the Summer School in Winter and the others I took to Red Deer. The more I am piercing the more I am enjoying the works.

Summer School in Winter - SSiW

2011-08-06T04:36:00.000-07:00

Colleen Little at work.

The Summer School in Winter was held in Melbourne, Australia late June, early July 2011. It is an annual international calligraphy event organised by the Calligraphy Society of Victoria.

The workshop I taught was called Come in out of the Cold: the role calligraphy plays in our lives. It was a three-day workshop specially designed for the CSV SSiW. After discussion of the role calligraphy plays in our lives, the words we use, the colours we choose and how we present work we made connections both creatively and spiritually with the work so the true essence of what we wanted to say, visually, speaks profoundly. It was a scary propostion to run such a workshop where the theme is one which you can't quite put your finger on but once you go through the process it all makes sense. Well ... for my participants I hope it did!

The joy of Colleen's work.

"It won't hurt a bit!"

My Love!

I am very happy with my love.

The Summer School Tutoring Team: Annie, Colleen,Thomas, Eliza & Gemma

... and the two beautiful ladies who made it all happen: Lyne De Luca and Nicoll Heaslip

Up in the air ...

2011-06-14T04:50:00.000-07:00

With all flights to Tasmania cancelled David and I find ourselves in Sydney unable to get home. Our flight was last Sunday 12th and our new scheduled flight, after many, is now planned for Thursday 16th. Qantas has been marvellous in looking after us with hotel accommodation and meals for up to five days. Wish us luck. The worst thing is we have been slightly inconvenienced, as our thoughts are really with our New Zealand friends and in particular our friends in Christchurch.

In the mean time I have my visual diary for my records. In Canberra the other day I bought this little pack of 12 x A7 (7.5cm x 10.5) pads and books called The Miniature Collection, which are giving me great pleasure. My plan is to use all these 12 different supports for my upcoming A Letter a Week project. Here they are:

Nib sculpture

2011-05-30T23:10:00.000-07:00

Pen Nibs, Sculpture by Anne Neil 2005

Can you believe these nibs!! I was excited when my host Barb King, who was looking after me for my recent versals workshop for the Calligraphers Guild of WA, said I must see these nibs. Barb was right! This nib sculpture is in Barrack Street at one of the entrances to the Supreme Court gardens. There was no plaque to tell me the sculptor, nor it's name. It may well be "somewhere" on the work. Makers ... please insist on leaving your mark!

I have done a little search and have come up with a couple of explanations to their significence. One is that scriveners worked nearby at the courts for the past two centuries ... but another says they have nothing to do with the courts at all and that they are related to the gardens and were a tribute to the far-sighted planners who established the gardens over a century and a half ago.

I took these photos obviously in the evening, lit up, as well as in daylight.

Thanks Barb! More on the workshop soon.

Gilding - traditional & modern techniques

2011-05-10T18:52:00.000-07:00

Learn the art of successful gilding through Private Lessons. Any thechniques you are having difficulty contact me if you would like to study further to becoming a successful gilder.

As I see it ...

2011-05-08T19:42:00.000-07:00

... a whole week in the studio ... yippee!

"Apparently in one of Elgar's regular slumps in morale Jaeger (August Jaeger, Elgar's publisher) told him that whenever Beethoven was troubled by the turbulent life of a creative artist, he simply poured his frustrations into still more beautiful compositions".

Oops I have just spilt the ink!

Ink on fine tissue paper

Flexible study plan available

2011-05-04T19:28:00.000-07:00

If you are interested in being mentored through a particular calligraphic journey or wish to have a series of constructive critical analysis of your work, then I would be delighted to work with you. I will work individually with you on a one to one basis at whatever skill level you are presently at. The plan is fully flexible and operates as a pay as you go system. Interested? Click the link "study with Gemma" above.

gb

my thought for the day

2011-05-04T19:23:00.000-07:00

In a time of self uncertainty act mindfully in all that you do. Little things like washing up or big things like interacting with colleagues, friends and people you meet as a natural course of your day such as when shopping. Be mindful that they too may need a little boost in their day ... it will make you smile and feel good about yourself.

gb

A child's gift

2011-04-30T04:46:00.000-07:00

In my work it is refreashing to revisit "simplicity".
Here is a lovely little piece I did today for a soon-to-be six your old.
I loved this poem when I was a child and I still love it.

It is The End from Now We Are Six by A.A. Milne.

Schmincke gouache, metal nibs and a touch of gilding on Ormoline size.
I have kept the lines in the manner that they were originally written.

Flowers for the week ...

2011-04-30T04:40:00.000-07:00

I always love to choose some flowers from Salamanca markets to see me through the week ... just a couple of dollars for these lovely glads.

Easter Sunday - from the drawing board

2011-04-23T23:19:00.000-07:00

The support is canvas the materials used are acrylic paints, gesso, sgraffito and lead pencil lettering.

The White Library

2011-04-23T04:00:00.000-07:00

The problems associated with choosing a book from David Walsh' White Library at MONA

You can see others had problems too!

from the drawing board

2011-04-12T23:47:00.000-07:00

Look closely!

I think you will have to click on the images to see more clearly.

My little lace piece from today at the drawing board. I did this work after several trials, working white on white. The original looks really pretty, photographing it is another matter.

A culturally enjoyable day ... so far ...

2011-04-09T00:16:00.000-07:00

My plan for the day was to start with listening to Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas whilst reading Sheila Waters' exquisitely designed manuscript of Under Milk Wood at the same time. As I thought, it was an all encompassing experience. We ... David and I ... sat back in our armchairs, legs outstretched and listened to the rich voices of Richard Burton, Hugh Griffiths, Richard Bebb and cast reading the play. We both enjoyed the visual images throughout the manuscript, the absolute ease at which we could read Sheila's specially designed Carolingian while enjoying the story as read to us.

This is not something that we usually plan in do in our frenetic worlds but it was a lovely and very enjoyable experience.

Sheila Waters Under Milk Wood manuscript: ISBN 0 9623131 0 6

My copy of Sheila’s manuscript I have had since 1991. The CD was given to us by our friend Duncan Abercromby, a Dylan Thomas fan who said we would enjoy the play. So David and I returned him the favour and gave him a copy of Sheila’s book.

Ahhhh … then we drove to the beautiful riversedge village of Franklin on the Huon and enjoyed lunch at a café which opened only yesterday. It is called Riley’s, great taste and excellent value for money. Along the way we visited the Church Studio, a visual and perfoming arts space in an old renovated Methodist Church. I can see an exhibition forming in my head ... now that would be a real proactive thing to work towards!

An amazingly relaxing and feel good day … so far!

How to make conversations

2011-04-01T20:19:00.000-07:00

I am a little ahead of myself here for the ALaW project so I thought I would share a how to with you. If you haven't been exposed to these as a child then here is how to make a conversation ... a little talking piece. Read on!

Decorate your paper

On the black side, fold your corners into the middle

Turn over as shown here

Fold in half using a bone folder or an agate burnisher as I am using here

Turn 90 degrees and fold in half again

Al ways making sure your folds are crisp and absolutely accurate to the 1/2 mm

Fold all the corners back in to the middle so that the decorative side now comes to the front as shown

Turn over and you should have the remaining decorative side

Now we are going to get tiny and tricky!

Fold all the corners into the middle as shown

Burnish well trying not to take any of the decorative media off the surface

This is what it should look like folded in

Now ... getting trickier

Fold the work in half

Open this then fold the other side in half

Ah ... here is a little tricky bit

try to slip your fingers into the little square sections on the corners

Open and close in each direction as required

These little conversations can hold wishes, secrets or dreams ... enjoy!

Any questions please ask.

ROCK YOUR ART CAREER

2011-03-19T21:30:00.000-07:00

Something for all my artist friends and colleagues out there. I was originally alerted to this great site by Ken Munsie in Maleny Queensland who was inspired to spread the news by my friend Fiona Dempster also of Maleny Queensland. Too good not to share, enjoy!

23 Actions for BIG progress … from - ROCK YOUR ART CAREER by Alyson B. Stanfield

1. Date everything.
When you file something you have acted on, make a note on what you have done and don’t forget to date it. Ditto for dating your art. Memories fail so easily, and you want to be able to back up any claims with evidence.

3. Keep a journal.Capture your fleeting thoughts before they’re lost forever. Always carry a small notebook or recorder with you to record your brilliant moments. Journaling regularly about art, especially YOUR art, is one of the best exercises to prepare you for marketing. You need words to help you sell your art.

I suggest you might like to sign up for Alyson's newsletter to get the rest!

From the garden

2011-03-18T21:12:00.000-07:00

After a heavy night on the entertainment front, with all the neighbours at our place for a 5pm - 8pm cocktail party, the last neighbour left for home (next door) at 1.30am (eight hours of sipping and nibb ling on stuff) ... it is great to get out in the garden ... yummy! After being here for nearly 12 months, we thought it about time that we invited the neighbours in for a get to know you session. Over to the drawing board for me ... ah, peace, quiet, creativity ... sleep!

Yves Leterme's blog

2011-03-17T20:46:00.000-07:00

Check out Yves Blog

Finished off yesterday ...

2011-03-17T16:16:00.000-07:00

This one for a client

This "M" is for ... can't say, she doesn't know it's coming

so I had better not reveal the name. Later!

For all my illuminated letters I prepare a swatch of the materials as I use them. It is a safety net! I have quite a few swatches that look terrific. One day I'll mat them all up and frame them.

Illuminated letters

2011-03-14T21:13:00.000-07:00

I am enjoying some time at the drawing board. Fortunately I have a couple of bits on the go; some canvas' for the local calligraphy society exhibition and two illuminated letters which need time for layers to dry. Happy in my work and therefore in myself. Will show the pics. when completed.

Delighted to visit Fiona's blog and to see the opening of her and Barry's exhibition ... go here and you will be able to follow the last couple of post culminating in their excellent exhibition. Enjoy!

Canberra copperplate workshop - trinkets

2011-03-02T18:56:00.000-08:00

Sampler of bookmarks for the participants at this weekend's copperplate calligraphy workshop at the ANU, Canberra. I did some for Canberra friends as well :-) Back to the drawing board ... drawing leaves are the subject matter for the afternoon.

From the drawing board ...

2011-02-28T21:56:00.000-08:00

Here are some more images from the February ALaW project. I have enjoyed making these tiny alphabet conversations. And formulating inside my head is the second alphabet in the 2011 project Black White and a hint of ... what fun!

The folder is made of agate purchased from an antique shop in Montville Queensland in 2009. The paper is laid Ingre and the materials used are metal nibs, brushes and Dr. PH Martin's Pen White.

From the drawing board

2011-02-08T02:08:00.000-08:00

This is the McGregor Summer School raffle prize won by Trish Poole.

Trish chose the letter "K"

for her daughter Kym and this is the result.

Materials

Gouache, ink, 23ct gold leaf laid on Ormaline size, pointed metal nibs and a 5/0 brush

New little creations for ALaW

2011-02-07T03:04:00.000-08:00

Herewith my first four creations for the first alphabet of

2011 A Letter a Week

Visit the website for other wonderful creations.

Botanical drawing & painting

2011-02-07T02:57:00.001-08:00

I have just started out on a lifelong yearning to learn botanical drawing & painting. My tutor for this adventure is none other than the divinely talented Leonie Norton ... watch this space!

2010-11-19T22:12:00.000-08:00

The Seven Virtues
I have this love hate relationship with colour. My work will either be brilliantly colourful or subtly soft. Often I’ll revel in the pure crispness of black and white where my calligraphic soul lies naked for all to see.
At the moment I am going through a “seven” phase in my life’s body of work. This rendition of The Seven Virtues just cried out for colour. How can you have “Hope” without colour, I asked myself.
Here I have used gouache as my medium not because I wanted the background opaque but because the pigment is more vibrant and stronger. The colours were simply laid on a water wash on 300gsm Arches hotpress paper taped to the table with 1” masking tape, brushed on with a chiselled edge and mixed where I wanted the colour to flow and meld.
While the work was wet I gently tooled a calligraphic moving mark into the wetness with a metal stylus. Working steadily, still while the work was wet, I spread layers of aluminium foil across the surface. With my fingers running atop the foil I gently creased and crunched the foil, just a bit, leaving some areas flat. I made sure the sides of the foil were ragged on the surface as well otherwise I would have been left with a straight edge, possibly up through the work. You can do exactly the same technique using kitchen baking paper and cling-wrap. You will get slightly different results leaving you with a myriad of textured marks thereon. Not only can you use gouache but you can use a variety of inks and water colours as well.

Next I allowed these to dry overnight, separated the layers and the results are what you see – backgrounds for calligraphic renditions of the seven virtues written in vivacious versals using Dr. Ph. Martin’s pen-white, drawn with a ¾ Brause with additional support in accompanying words in tiny caps with a ½ Brause.

The leftover backgrounds were handy to cut up and use to add a textured collage supporting the theme of the Virtues scattered throughout our lives.

The Seven Virtues

These postcards are reproductions of a series of artwork I have created for the Art Society of Tasmania members exhibition. They are for sale @ $20 for the set of seven with envelopes or $12 for the set without envelopes. Let me know if you are interested and we can talk EFT, PayPal or other. Please email me gblack@pcug.org.au The exhibition runs December 2010 & January 2011 at the Lady Franklin Gallery, Hobart, Tasmania.

Ampersands & other Ligatures

2010-10-27T20:58:00.000-07:00

Ampersands & other Ligatures - a two day workshop

Jill's experiments - all participants created pages and pages of examples.

The following are highly decorative ampersands from the Book of Kells. After much study of, and then research in pairs of both ampersand forms, the origins of the ampersand's nomenclature and it's variety of forms including Tironian Notes this was a relaxing way to wind down the workshop. On the afternoon of the second day we each took a different decorative ampersand from the Book of Kells and worked it in whatever fashion we wanted. The participants could use gouache, coloured pencils, watercolour or pen and ink and only had about two hours to play with these exquisite historic forms.

Some participants had illumination experience and others didn't but everyone enjoyed their results.

Sorry this one is a little blurred but I wanted to be inclusive rather than not.

My demonstration roll - nothing beats the glistening of wet ink flowing off the broad nib, yum!

My whiteboard - a very slippery demonstration surface.

The following photos are of the participants working in pairs on a research project I set them.

Angela & Lyndell

Some of the CCS participants at Urambi Village

Sara & Christine

Pamela & Ann deep in research

Maureen & Pamela

Jill & Jenni

Canberra Calligraphy Society President Jill Robertson & New Recruit Sara Posgay

Chris & Mike

Carol & James

Here are some of the photos from the weekend workshop in Canberra. It was a marvellous time of research, and pure pleasure revelling in Ampersands & other Ligatures. I was delighted with the response and the results of their research and subsequent work. Thank you Canberra for being the first to experience this Ampersands & Other Ligatures workshop ... who said anything about guinea pigs!

If anyone is interested in having me teach this fascinating two day workshop for your group please contact me and I'll look at my remaining 2011 schedule, though I am also making workshop bookings for 2012 already.

Canberra here I come!

2010-10-20T00:35:00.001-07:00

www.ampersandampersand.tumblr.com

Hello Canberra here I come with

Ampersands & other Ligatures

Sit back relax and enjoy the ride!

2010-10-05T03:06:00.000-07:00

Looking forward to two days of uninterrupted creativitiy in the studio - woo hoo!

A Letter A Week project Alphabet 1

2010-09-30T23:58:00.000-07:00

Oboe reed nibbed to a square edge

Opening Page

A simple four hole limp Japanese bind

2010-09-06T00:55:00.000-07:00

Herewith a new small piece I did today. Acrylics, bleedproof with, pens, rollers, brushes on unstretched canvas.

2010-09-05T21:23:00.000-07:00

Our magnificent magnolia ... stunning in real life!

ALaW August letters

2010-08-27T22:03:00.001-07:00

Just a taster. Go to ALaW blogspot for all the latest. Enjoy! x gb

2010-08-25T20:31:00.000-07:00

These images are better for viewing. A very standard type of family tree.

Family Trees

2010-08-24T21:58:00.000-07:00

A couple of images from the James & the Baker Family Trees.

2010-08-23T17:11:00.000-07:00

Am working on two family trees. Will send pics when completed ... watch this space!

2010-08-11T20:48:00.000-07:00

Here are a few bookmark keepsakes for my Sturt winter school students.

They are worked in bleedproof white on ready-made artist's tradiung cards with twine & toggles made by me. The script is a pointed uncial after Mike Kecseg style which was one of three scripts the class was learning.

2010-08-11T20:45:00.000-07:00

A side on view of the Churchill Honour Roll (just completed) ... you can just see the raised and embossed letters in the back ground. I though this a really cool pic.

2010-08-11T20:40:00.000-07:00

Ah success! Thanks to a little help from Claes and the PCUG I have had success with getting a new-look website up and running. The Gallery needs reworking into thumbnails which we can click on and I need to add a few things "a counter" & "the web ring". But I am still learning so give me a little time I'll get there. Patience girl, patience!

Website & ALaW

2010-08-09T19:44:00.000-07:00

I am working on rebuilding my website with the help of Claes ... thank you Claes!

After much ado about many things the back light in my camera of one year old ... just out of warranty of course ... has decided to go on the blink. The camera is still working but the back light picture viewer is fuzzy and not clear at all. As a new camera is out of the question right now what I have managed to do is to still take some photos, upload the results and pick the few which work. I have been keen to get some images of my ALaW up to the ALaW blogspot for the past couple of weeks. The results are not excellent but still give an idea of my second project.

These will be bound eventually after I complete the series and revisit it to make it work as a whole. I am also working on a broadsheet at the same time to see which one I prefer.

Enjoy!

A note from me

2010-08-05T17:04:00.000-07:00

... my youngest daughter Ellen (26) has broken her hip. She has a new prosthetic and is doing well. I am in Canberra just to help out with some mothering for a couple of days. Back in Hobart soon.

I have a couple of small commissions to sink my hands into when I get home which I am excited about and really looking forward too.

Watch this space ...

2010-06-30T19:23:00.000-07:00

Enjoy a couple more of the Loveletter images.

I decided to create a few more loveletters for sale so I went through all my papers I created as demonstration pieces for the course "Colour, Collage & Calligraphy". As I end up with so many background samples I may as well put them to good use.

2010-06-30T03:18:00.000-07:00

In preparation for the upcoming winter school in the Southern Highlands of NSW here are a few of the Loveletters I will have for sale at Sturt. Over the five days we will be covering three pointed pen styles. The traditional copperplate, an upright copperplate which is a variation on the traditional copperplate that I created for a University of Canberra commission and a rendition of one of Mike Kesegg's contemporary pointed pen styles.

I hope you enjoy these!

x gb

A couple of pics.

2010-06-16T00:52:00.000-07:00

I am off to Wellington New Zealand tomorrow for a Colour, Collage & Calligraphy workshop. I have packed the large suitcase with supplies and the small overnighter with my clothes! :-)

Hopefully when I return I'll have time to attend to this the most neglected of blogs and let you know how the long haul of "setting-up home" is going.

x gb

2010-06-15T23:15:00.001-07:00

Here I am ... I have come out from under the boxes ... air at last!

Enjoy this little snippet:

A2Z

Hobart, Tasmania

2010-04-12T21:17:00.000-07:00

I have arrived in beautiful Hobart and am up to my ears in boxes, cardboard, bubble wrap and paper. I'll get back to you all soon with photos of our travels, our new home and adventure stories of the "high Bass Strait seas" ... actually it was smooth sailing all up.

Split-colour palette

2010-03-21T23:39:00.000-07:00

Cool Colour Theory - this one with watercolours
The first segmented ring holds all three, primary, secondary and tertiary colours.
The outer segmented rings hold the chromatic greys

It was with much pleasure and delight that I worked for the Buderim Calligraphy Group on the weekend. I ran a split-colour palette workshop with the "Ford Colour Wheel". I call it the Ford colour wheel in tribute to my tutor at the ANU School of Art. The beauty of this colour wheel is that not only do you mix the primaries, secondaries and the tertiaries you learn to mix the stunningly beautiful chromatic greys and draw them out with water ... there really is something about colour which just grabs you! Whether you love soft pastels or striking vivid colours, warm or cool colours just experimenting, researching and developing a palette is soul rewarding.

The class was divided on their choice of first colour wheels, almost half and half, warm to cool. It was good for observation purposes.

Thank you Buderim Calligraphers for inviting me to teach three times over the past ten months. Your support has been much appreciated. Love the camaraderie and the superb shared lunches!

A bientot!

2010-03-17T06:10:00.000-07:00

A wonderful day with thanks to James our pilot, Lidwina and Janna. All creative and wonderful friends.

2010-03-17T05:58:00.000-07:00

This is where I live at the Maleny Arts Retreat ... until Easter

Flying over the tip of Bribie Island

Over Crook Neck

Janna & Gemma

When I woke up this morning I had no idea of the wonderful day which lay ahead ... I:

had my morning coffee, chat and catch up with Fiona's in town at Monicas ... wonderful
met and greeted visitors from Finland to the Gallery hosted by the Maleny Rotary Club where they had lunch, enjoyed the views and the artworks ... rewarding
got a call from Captain James to say the afternoon was going to be perfect for flying so up the four of us went ... awesome

Awesome is the only word for it. Enjoy these pictures.

2010-03-05T03:44:00.000-08:00

My first letter for "a letter a week" check out the blogspot. There are great letters coming down every few minutes.

2010-03-05T00:55:00.000-08:00

Today I did a little calligraphy on Heather Gall's artwork, a poem by Jill Morris. The paper was 300gsm cold press and a little difficult to write on considering the damp. I did however have some modicum of success. The layout and punctuation was rigidly dictated so I couldn't change the layout to something a little more pleasing. The artwork is gorgeous so I thought I would share it with you.

Anyone for playing Misty for me ...

2010-03-04T21:51:00.000-08:00

Today, more rain and more mountain mist ...

2010-03-03T01:51:00.000-08:00

Meanwhile back at the barn the mountain mist continued to roll through bringing rain, rain and more rain.

Montville Girls

2010-03-03T01:32:00.000-08:00

Janna Pameijer, GB (looking ragged), Lyn de Silva & Kerry Norman in the cute little hat, had a lovely lunch at the Bar & Grill in Montville today. Then we all had to get back to work!

2010-02-26T03:58:00.000-08:00

The Enchanted Fun Guy's Forrest you can even see the mist that blows so intently through the property ... today at Maleny Arts Retreat! These fellows seem to be enjoying themselves.

Vivacious Versals

2010-02-26T03:53:00.000-08:00

This is an in-class demonstrations of Vivacious Versals that I did at last weekends workshop for the ASC (Australian Society of Calligraphers). The participants worked hard and took a keen understanding of the versal form away with them to explore further.

2010-02-26T03:40:00.000-08:00

I am on to a new book! Second in the millennium trilogy!

2010-02-18T03:14:00.000-08:00

"Isn't this photograph of my home town stunning!"

I am off to Sydney early in the morning (Friday), teaching for the Australia Society of Calligraphers ... Vivacious Versals ... I am pretty excited about that ... I love Versals. Plus a little birdie told me I am going to get together with Guildie friends and have a wonderful time with all that Linda has planned for me in the coming days ... I am fortunate, yes!

I'll be without a computer so if you don't hear from me you will know why!

2010-02-14T14:01:00.000-08:00

Such beautiful flowers, Singapore Orchids and Lilies, arrived late on Saturday afternoon while I was out taking photos of some fun-guys ... mushrooms actually. The bouquet is beautiful filling my apartment with a lovely perfume.

2010-02-13T04:00:00.000-08:00

A couple of tired tutors Jude & David (not to forget the one behind the camera) who, when it was all over, deserved a drink!

2010-02-13T03:55:00.000-08:00

Classwork

Myra

Susan & Judy

Classwork

2010-02-13T03:48:00.000-08:00

... and we had a delightful musical interlude with Karen Lonsdale & David Nuttall

...and we had other visitors ... on dag & drag day

We had lovely visitors, Helen, Garry & Barb

May 2010 be full of serenity & simplicity

2010-02-13T03:44:00.001-08:00

Teacher's desk

2010-02-13T03:22:00.000-08:00

At last I have managed to post my first four letters to the "A Letter A Week" blog spot, hooray! I have been busy with Gallery work, also with commissions not to mention house-hunting in Hobart. Back in Maleny now for a bit before I head of to Sydney next week for a workshop with the ASC ... Versatile Versals and it is going to be intense but fun! By the end of the weekend the participants will be creating versals like you see in the image here.

2010-01-04T15:56:00.000-08:00

The next two weeks will be spent at the McGregor Summer School in Toowoomba Queensland and though I will be teaching and enjoying the classroom atmosphere, my own task I have set for myself if I sneak some private time, is to work conscientiously on my ideas for A Letter a Week for 2010. New posts in due course ...

A Letter a Week for 2010

2010-01-04T15:49:00.000-08:00

A Letter a Week for 2010

Fiona (Paper Ponderings) and I have been discussing this little project since just before the new year. With Fiona's idea we have nutted out the bibs & bobs and we would welcome anyone with a passion for letter forms to join us ... read on my friends ... read on:

The aim is simply to:
· Write a letter a week
· Creating 52 letters
· Which must form 2 x alphabets
· By the end of 2010

The only real rule is that the letter must be presented on a piece measuring 7cm x 7cm

· We can use any medium, on any surface.
· We can use any hand or representation of a letter.
· The presentation of the final product is up to each of us – we could mat and frame the pieces as a work of art; we could make a stack of cards, we could bind them individually; we could bind them in a book; we could cover a box with them....
·

We can also use any theme or approach we wish in the project – we may choose to do all our letter in black and white and red; we may choose not to repeat a combination of medium and surface; we may choose to be experimental; we may choose an animal theme; we may choose a letter linked to a poem....
·

We may start at the beginning of the alphabet, the end of the alphabet, we may make two alphabets simultaneously or we may just decide that today feels like a “D” day and decide to write a “D”

We will also aim to do a monthly sharing – on the first Wednesday of a month, we will share photos of our letters from the previous month. How’s that for prescriptive!

Other than that, I think we just go do what we want to do. Feel free to invite other calligraphers to join and do a letter a week; or other artist types who might want to do a 7cm x 7cm piece a week...

Depending on how we go, and where we are and what our final pieces look like; it might be nice to try and arrange a showing or mini-exhibition of the pieces once we have finished .

So...by Wednesday 3 February we will each need to have 4 x letters ready to show, and perhaps some words about our approach/theme or what we are hoping to achieve.

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz

2009-12-27T04:07:00.000-08:00

Amy Black & Ellen Hulbert 2009

2009-12-27T04:01:00.000-08:00

Did I tell you I was reading this book? Fiona put me on to the Millenium Series
and I have since heard a zillion people rave about them ... even the ABC Book Show

2009-12-27T03:59:00.000-08:00

These Mushies are about one foot high ... can you believe that?

2009-12-26T23:57:00.000-08:00

Pam, Sheona & my good self at the
Caloundra markets today!

2009-12-26T23:51:00.000-08:00

Look what Pam & I found after the rain today!

Australian Style

2009-12-24T23:52:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas Everyone! Cheers & Cool Beers! Actually, I have cracked open the champagne
and I am going to put my feet up and watch a good old movie!

2009-12-24T23:49:00.000-08:00

Home I came to an aubergine stack for lunch "yummmmmyyyy!" An sat out by the dam to enjoy!

2009-12-24T23:46:00.000-08:00

Not wanting too much sun ... I did get a little kissing glow ... I headed back up the Mountain and into a fine Christmas Day misty rain ... beautiful.
I stopped along the way to smell the roses just by the Glasshouse Mountains.

2009-12-24T23:42:00.000-08:00

Then with my little packed esky with my breakfast I did what most Australian do and headed for the coast for a quick dip in the ocean. In this instance it was the Pacific Ocean. I swam for an hour & a quarter ... that was enough for me. Dried off, got out of the sun and ate my brekky.
Then I took a long stroll along the beach for another hour or so.

2009-12-24T23:33:00.000-08:00

Then I visited Janna Pameijer's cows ... are they not the most adorable cows you have ever seen?

2009-12-24T23:28:00.000-08:00

It was ten past seven in the morning and I have never seen the town soooo eerily quiet. The Upfront Club never looks like this and neither does the RSL!

2009-12-24T23:27:00.001-08:00

... and headed into Maleny Town.

2009-12-24T23:26:00.000-08:00

I hopped in my little car ...

2009-12-24T23:24:00.000-08:00

After opening lots of lovely gifts ...

A picture story of Christmas Day

2009-12-24T23:08:00.000-08:00

Wonderful to speak with family and friends on this special family day of the year ...

... there were lots of tears and laughter.

2009-12-24T03:57:00.000-08:00

...'tis the night before Christmas
and all through the tiers
my wish to you all is ....
Cheers & Cold Beers!