Meanwhile, let's catch up.
Last month, I had time to make a couple of calligraphy pieces as gifts, which is something I always enjoy ONCE I've figured out the direction. For Dad and Jean, I chose Psalm 100--I worked the text in a traditional black-letter ("old English" to some) style in the KJV. I, then, "whitewashed" it and, over the top of that, wrote the same Psalm in NIV.
For Diana and Dick, I wanted something that conjured up the ocean/beach,
which is where they live and where they also love to vacation (mostly). Their beautiful home is "coastal" in it's colors and style and I wanted to make something to fit in. The lyrics to the old song, "By the Sea" seemed close. The song, when sung, is very light-hearted and fun--like them!A local gallery called for works relating to the theme "Love" for a February show. I did three simple calligraphy pieces rather quickly to make the deadline (Jan.7) not knowing if they would consider calligraphy as a possible form. They did accept one of them, which was great. Here are all three, the one accepted into the show being the last one.
"Love is All You Need" is, of course, the last line of the John Lennon song, "All You Need Is Love". Very simple ink via crazy folded pen nib.
"Give it Away" is the last phrase of the quote: "Love wasn't put in your heart to stay; love isn't love 'til you give it away." by Oscar Hammerstein. Yes, it's from "Sound of Music"--but not the movie version. It's only in the Broadway version, for some reason.
The one in the show (gallery: Artists Studio In the Foothills-ASIF) is a poem by Robert Burns, "My Luve Is Like a Red, Red Rose". It's four stanzas, and I won't write them out, here (click and read the enlarged version), but last year our chorus performed a gorgeous musical version (Rene Clausen, music) that I'm still singing to myself from time to time. Stunningly beautiful, I think. Here's a link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpcS9uCjQYA&feature=related
Anyway, it was lovely to write out as I hummed along.
I did some other work, too, this month that didn't end up in "finished" form, but gives me a springboard to some new stuff. At last, a little focus? Well, at least for February. As always, stay tuned.
Up next--might be time to catch up with some police blotter goofiness...
