I am taking a really fun workshop from Betty Locke, a wonderful internationally known calligrapher from Canada. In "The Artistry of the Edged Brush" she is teaching us how to create calligraphic flowers with simple strokes. It is a great way to improve skills with the chisel edged brush. She is a fabulous teacher, cheerful, knowledgeable, and beautifully artistic.

Julian Waters, Calligrapher, Capital Edition Classic -

This is an interesting interview with Julian Waters, one of Calligraphy's very greats. His mother Sheila Waters, a very very great, is in it a little too.

Profile of calligrapher Julian Waters from the Emmy Award-winning news magazine show Capital Edition, which aired Sunday mornings on WUSA-TV in Washington. September 24, 1989. Written, produced and narrated by Jamie McIntyre. Photography and editing by Tim Deluca

Loosed of Limits

Walt Whitman quote, done with pastels and gouache.

But now I see-2

But now I see

Un dia a la vez/ One day at a time

For Patrick

This is a song I sing when I go into the prison here. It is the guys' favorite. Everyone knows it in Spanish and in English. And they bring down the house (almost) when we all sing it together. Ahhh... music!

"One day at a time, sweet Jesus, that's all I'm asking of you. Just give me the strength to do every day what I have to do. Yesterday's gone, sweet Jesus, tomorrow may never be mine. Lord help me today, please show me the way one day at a time"

song written by Marijohn Wilkin and Kris Kristofferson, first recorded in 1974

Signed Wedding Certificate

Wedding Certificate
Originally uploaded by ginsnob

Here is an example of one of my certificates all signed. The youngest ones signed with a hand print. So perfect!

Congratulations, Christy and Chris!

It takes a long time...

This hand is written with a metallic pointed nib. The calligraphic 'thicks' and 'thins' of the strokes are made by adding and releasing pressure. You can hear this pressure and release being used as the pen moves across the paper. The name and address are ficticious.

Same Sex Wedding Certificate

I love working for couples on these wedding documents. It gives me a chance to hold their hopes and dreams in my mind while I write their chosen words and paint their colors and symbols. What an honor to have even this small part in their joy.

Congratulations, Nancy and Elaine!

Quaker Marriage Certificate

This Quaker Marriage Certificate was designed for a couple who wanted the blue bonnet flowers of Texas as their decoration.

Congratulations, Sarah and Mark!