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