Tuesday, February 11, 2014

The Moving Line of Roman Cursive, a workshop of Massimo Polello

The charming Italian came all the way from Turin to give Friends of Calligraphy a workshop.  I was fortunate in being in this class.  The first papers of a copy of an old Roman cursive writing was given to us.  It looked like gibberish until Massimo lead us through the forms.  After attempts of understanding the form and how it was written, we were challenged to be free to do variations of it and how we could use these forms to create art.  Like a dance, know the basic steps and make your own body movement to the music.  The following photos are of the book I made of my exercises and practice. I think this is a good way to reference what Massimo tried to teach.  I just need a lot more practice...lots more.
Front cover,  all pages are half lengthwise of Canson Mi Tientes. Some were cut down to accommodate W book form and stitched with a simple pamphlet stitch.









The back of the stitched book.  I did not photo all pages...


Cards, cards, cards.....

I created three thank you cards this week. I tried a few things I had never done before.  Here are the results.  All were influenced because it is Valentine's day on Friday.  All were done with love.
Embossed name of Elena, cut out frame for hand cut heart of base card.

Inside of base card sewn with red thread, gold painted heart inside of red cutout square.


The front of the card tied with red string with name of recipient

Untied and opened to accordian alphabet cut in Milton Glazer like Baby Teeth font.  This accordian alphabet was inspired by Takako Tokugawa who had done one with Neuland.  Thank you Takako.

Another shot with card held open with a box of vintage pen nibs. The accordian was heavy vellum paper.
Back of card with cutout red heart from previous card.....

Again an embossed name with cut out and then added a red piece with a heart cut out.

The inside of the card with the saved red heart and U written with a pen.  Additional sentiments below red envelope.