Practice Makes Perfect

My pencil sketch of the word "Transformed" is complete and ready for ink.  However, before I take permanent black ink to my final work, I need to practice.  I created another version of the pencil sketch with only a few of the letters to work with first.  This enables me to practice my knots and to get control of my pen.  It also allows me to experiment with the placement of the ink in each letter. 

I tried both interior black with white ribbons and interior white with black ribbons.  The interior black with white ribbons shows the lacing of the knots, which I think I like better.

When making the Celtic knots, it's important to get the lines perfect so that the knot is clearly visible and the lines begin and end exactly where they should.  You can see in this practice sketch that my lines are not quite perfect yet, thus more practice is needed before I tackle the final work in ink.  Practice makes perfect!

Transformed - Initial Sketch

I'm working on a calligraph of the word "Transformed" for my church back in California and wanted to capture the different stages of the work.  Unfortunately, my scanner is not long enough to capture the entire work in one scan, so two scans it is.

This is the initial sketch in pencil, which ensures my spacing is sufficient for the entire word and also sets up the initial design for each letter.  This is Versals lettering with Celtic Knots.  The pencil sketch is very light... hopefully you can see it.

Versals with Celtic Knot

My first attempt at Versals lettering with a Celtic Knot.  Created today for my step-father's birthday... can you guess his name?  8-)

Panic

My first ever by line happened the week of June 21-27, 2007, in Santa Cruz's popular weekly publication, Good Times.  I entered their annual 66 Words contest and submitted a short story containing only 66 words.  I created the short story from a longer version written earlier that year at my first Holy Ink Writing Workshop and it's based on a true story about my two-year-old son.  I was thrilled to see my first by line in print!  Here's the story and a scan of the published page it appeared on that summer.


Panic
Panic swallows me as my toddler crawls towards a narrow storm drain opening.  Lunging to stop him, I fail, and he disappears into the pipe.  I try coaxing him back with my words.  He only giggles.  Seconds now take eternity.  I remember I have his pacifier.  Holding my breath, I offer it.  Manipulated by desire, he takes the bait and crawls out.  Holding him, I weep.

  

My Dreams

My Dreams

When I go to sleep

My dreams are filled

with you

Your sweetness swirls

throughout my mind

I can see your eyes

I can hear your voice

I can almost feel your touch

You are with me

in my dreams

But then I wake and

find you are gone

And all I want

is to sleep again

To be near you

To love you

If only in my dreams

Patience

Many years ago, I did calligraphy on a regular basis, but then for some unknown reason, I stopped.  I'm trying to get back into calligraphy now, but with a new twist - adding watercolor!  This is a small (and quick) experiment I did on December 25, 2009, in my sketchbook and I'm so happy with it, I'm going to do a larger work of the same.

Laugh

I love this poem.  It reminds me that no matter how bad things get in your life, laughter is the very best medicine.

Written October 2009 at Cathy Warner's Holy Ink Writing Workshop

 

LAUGH...

often

boldly

outloud

in public

in private

in the car

in the house

at dinner

before breakfast

after your shower

in your sleep

when you least expect it

through your life

Just Laugh

Tower Clock

Here's another watercolor painting I did as part of Sketchcrawl 21.

Painted January 10, 2009

Keith - A Portrait

Keith was a dear friend of mine that died two-and-a-half years ago.  Some time after learning of his death, I used pictures of him received by his mother to paint his portrait. 

Painted August 2008

Chinatown Bank

As part of Sketchcrawl 22, I went to San Francisco's Chinatown and was completely taken by this bank... it was so beautiful.  I would go to the bank everyday if my bank looked like this! 

Painted April 11, 2009.

Jesus the Shepherd

Back home in Boulder Creek, my church has a beautiful stained glass window depicting Jesus as a shepherd.  In the window, Jesus is seen with three sheep, one of which is a young lamb he's carrying in his arms.  On May 24, 2009, while attending worship, I felt moved to paint the window and now everywhere I go, the Shepherd is with me not only in my sketchbook, but also in my heart.

No Greater Love

Written today, January 3, 2010


No Greater Love

Bring me your broken heart
Your broken bones
Your broken life

Lay your bloodied wounds
Upon my presence

Bring your cares to me
The one who cares for you

Let your damaged soul
Be washed

For there is no greater love
In the universe

No greater love in eternity

No greater love than mine for you

Frisbee Girl

This is my Golden Retriever, Sara, fetching her frisbee from the river.  Painted in August 2008. 

Where I'm From

Written in May 2007 after attending my first Holy Ink Writing Workshop

Where I’m From

I am from spirit and light
  And dust and breath
Sewn with threads of time
  To become flesh

I am from heart and soul
  And thoughts and dreams
Fed with rivers of emotion
  To become life

I am from the past and the future
  The beginning and the end
Filtered through the eyes of the soul
  To become the present

I am from husband and wife
  And daughter and sons
Grown with laughter and tears
  To become family

I am from smiles and joy
  And sorrows and grief
Woven with virtue and choices
  To become memory

I am from notes and keys
  And voices and song
Matured with practice and patience
  To become music

I am from intimacy and desire,
  Needs and insecurities
Sifted with instinct and love
  To become woman

I am from sunshine and sand,
  Palm trees and blue water
Torn apart by mountains and heartbreak
  To become home

I am from knowledge and books
  And classes and lectures
Molded with experience and time
  To become wisdom

I am from heaven and hell
  And from Eden and the cross
Sacrificed with blood and thorns
  To become salvation

I am from verses and scripture
  And Psalms and the Word
Folded with worship and prayer
  To become peace

I am from all that there is
  And all that will be
Carried in the hands of God
  To become eternity

Self Portrait

Not sure this looks like me, but, hey, I tried!

 

I Am Like the Sea

Written April 29, 2009

I Am Like the Sea

I am like the Sea
With unknowable depths
And gentle shallows
I am blue with the knowledge
Of the world's suffering


At times I am smooth and silky
Gently guiding you on your way
But the harsh winds
Of my storms can toss you
From shore to shore


I am like the Sea
Forever calling to you
Come wander through my depths
Partake of my unending abundance
Love me as I love you

A New Blog

Kreative Kristin will be dedicated to sharing my creative works - poetry, watercolor, calligraphy, sewing - lots of creations! 

My hope is in sharing my creativity, I'll spark the creative spirit in all who visit.