Welcome!

I grew up in Raleigh at a time when the nuns taught at Our Lady Of Lourdes. They lived out back of the school and wore those imposing yet Holy Habits that commanded your adoration, attention, and, quite frankly, your fear. So, when they asked you to "sit up straight" with your "feet flat on the floor" and compose your letters properly according to the Palmer Method of Handwriting, you did just that! I believe it was at that impressionable age that I became infatuated with the formation of letters. When I was introduced to calligraphy in 1978, it was no wonder I fell in love with this beautiful art form. My first taste of the calligraphic world lasted no longer than one hour. The instructor turned a piece of chalk on its edge to form calligraphic works of art from A to Z on the chalkboard. That was that! But it was all I needed to fire the embers that had been sparked in elementary school. Watching the slow, rhythmical shaping of those letters was like listening to classical music. It was not until 1997 that I enrolled in my first formal calligraphy class. Boy, were my eyes opened! I knew I had a lifelong road of learning ahead of me. It's been 38 years since that white piece of chalk was laid on its side. I am still learning. Come learn with me!

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Happy Anniversary

Back to calligraphy! I did this piece for my Mom and Dad this past year for their 69th Wedding Anniversary card. I will be teaching this lettering style next week. The lettering is first drawn with pencil. When I am happy with the design of the letters as well as the layout, then the pencil marks are gone over with a black micron pen. Once dry, erase the pencil marks. Now you can add color. This piece was colored with watercolors. Some parts of the letters were wetted with water first, then the color dropped in, others were colored drier. Between the steps, care must be taken to let each layer dry completely. Last, but not least, tiny embellishments were made with gel pens. Don't try to be too perfect! This is a real flowing type of lettering that lends itself to one's free spirit!
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2 comments:

  1. Martha LeverFebruary 3, 2010 at 7:07 PM

    I just love these fun and happy versals. This is great!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kerr PeltoFebruary 4, 2010 at 6:59 PM

    Thank you, Martha! So sweet of you to comment.

    ReplyDelete

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