Art Blog - Calligraphy: A Scribe's Notes

The internet is quiet today and it is still warm in New England but today is dry and breezy. I am attending Odyssey, a Lettering Arts Conference at Stonehill College in Easton, MA. All the calligraphers are busy learning something wonderful in their multitudes of classes while I docent the Participants,Faculty and Nice Rendition Exhibit.

The Nice Rendition exhibit is 74 pieces of original calligraphy by 60 artists/calligraphers,each interpreting a song lyric by Cheryl Wheeler. Chery's music is playing in the background while Cheryl fans and other visitors take their time carefully looking at each and every piece. The exhibit,s accompanying 159 page full color, hard cover book,Nice Rendition is selling well and so it should. Cheryl gave a concert on the opening night of the conference to a wildly receptive audience of calligraphers many of them hearing her for the first time. She came over to the exhibit later that evening and signed books. It was so refreshing to see so much good energy in one room.

The Faculty Show is stunning as usual,Carl Rohr's "Frankenstein, The Monster Speaks" is standing out literally (19 × 47) as one of the most amazing pieces, made entirely of cut paper on a background of a variety of vintage Italian marbled papers. In direct contrast, Pat Blair's "Pretty Rain"is a calming, glittering study in delicacy.

Both traditional and contemporary and experimental lettering are well represented here as well as techniques from raised gold to walnut ink bleach and metal like this sculpture by Carol DuBoch. As the sun goes down the calligraphers will gather for a dance performance by Lorelei Chang "Ink Passions, DancElight" the luminaries will be lit in the courtyard and the libation consumption will begin. Perfect end to a perfect day.

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