A small tale of Calligraphy
For me, the art of fancy lettering began as a solitary thing...that which was mine, and so it had only to please my standards. There was of course the set for beginners I received as a gift. This small instructional booklet (by Ken ...something) told me how to hold and write with a general calligraphy, or fountain pen. I learned a couple alphabets...but the rest was a monkish devotion to practice the strokes until they pleased me. Most of my work (that's about 5 years worth now) has been given to others, either as gifts or as custom pieces...in letters, posters, scrolls, poems...whatever. It has only been over the last five months that I have wanted to create for myself...experiment with even more mediums and styles than I already have. I know that one of the best ways to expand my reperoire even more is to share ideas with others. This is where you come in the picture. As I said, I have done much custom, or commissioned work in the past, and I would love to get some input from you, so we can work together to satisfy your calligraphy needs.
Those who have inspired me...and their contributions
For reasons of privacy, names are not mentioned...but you know who you are.
The young lady who gave me my beginners set and whose absence, ironically enough, inspired me to pay more attention to detail in writing. If there's one thing I could hold onto from her...I will always remember her gift of calligraphy.
Even more importantly. I must mention my mother here. She never taught me a thing about calligraphy, but I can see now that any tendencies I claim towards it, or any other artform for that matter, is only because of the lessons and values she fought so hard to instill in me. Even when I would say "I can't" she would tell me "you certainly will." She saw in me talents and potentials I never would have dreamt existed, and for that insight into my character, I owe her much...if only there were some guide to tell us what currency to use with parents.
I am beginning to understand how large a role emotion is for me with my calligraphy. As I said, it has only been in the last few months that I am creating pieces for myself and not others (friends, family). I would have to be blind not to see that the joy I now receive from calligraphy (and so many more things) is due to one very special "gringa en mi vida" Te amo mi amor!
What I hope to accomplish through Calligraphy
There has always been a large part of me that finds a great deal of comfort in the pursuit of things tedious...countless hours by candle light, learning the strokes, inking my hands crazy, and becoming well acquainted with the frustration that so often accompanies the quest for imprvement. I still find it is hard to ever be completely satisfied with my work...there is always some flaw my eyes just won't let me ignore, but at least now I can sign my name to a piece and keep showing my face. Like I said, alot of my work has been for other people already, and so I know I can work with just about anyone to help create calligraphic sensations. All I ask of you is any input you might have as far as resource information, constructive criticisms, personal opinoins, ideas, and experiences...whip it all on me, jsut as long as you communicate something to me....you ought to know how to reach me by now.
A snapshot of me sneaking a few hours of nine ball past father time and the UPS powers that be. Paul Newman should have quit after Hustler, and Cruise should never hold a cue again....yeah, luck is an art! Someday we might just develop mathematical constructs that describe and ultimately predict that very thing. But then, is mathematics an art? If not discovered...if it be invented, then what a beautiful marvelous creation; it may as well describe the laws of luck. If it is discovered, then all the pool players are really screwed, that is unless god was an avid nine ball player...but good luck on that one, right?
