GEMMA BLACK : ARTIST / CALLIGRAPHER

I have been working on a new branding for a Bed & Breakfast in the Southern Highland. It is amazing how many roughs you have to do to get to a "happiness" platform between client & artist!  I think we are just about there! But that is not what this post is about. In a few days I head off to the Golden Door Elysia in the Hunter Valley of NSW. I have been invited to give a lecture about calligraphy and working in the decorative arts industry and running a calligraphy arts practice. I will also hold a two-hour workshop for Golden Door guests who wish to partake. For the guests at my lecture they all get a specially designed bookmark for their trouble ... they are not finished yet but it's a surprise. But I think I will keep this lovely for myself! The decorative arts workshop participants will be making a single section booklet with their own cover design using  watercolour pencils similar to these. And not to get too carried away but they...

A delicate flowering weed I found in the garden has given a lovely delicate remainder. I am happy to say I have found two of the absolute best papers to use for eco-dyeing. Both Hahnemuhle and Khadi Three fuchsias.  Detail ... just gorgeous! This is the most delicate rose leaf I have done so far. And, from my little khadi paper booklet these ... I could not be happier.

You know when you go looking for something and you find something else? Well, I found this and have retyped it faithfully to to share with you. It is one of five articles I plucked from The Times when doing a little Edward Johnston research a few years back at the University of Canberra ... and oh how relevant it is today ... all but eighty years later ... read on: The Times, November 19, 1934; p g. 8; Issue 46915; col C Arts And Crafts Edward Johnston. Category: Letters to the Editor Full Text: Copyright 1934, The Times ARTS AND CRAFTS TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES Sir, -- May I take this opportunity of thanking Sir Reginald Blomfield for his letter which appeared in your issue of the 10th instant, recalling to Mr. John Milne (and other readers of The Times) the work of the Arts and Crafts Exhibitions Society? I fear, however, that the wording of Sir Reginald’s letter may convey the impression that the society no longer exists. Actually it has existed without a...

I am delighted to have been invited to teach on the Faculty of the Legacies II international lettering arts conference in Dallas Texas 19 - 26 July 2014.   Please feel free to visit the Legacies site for more information. You may also be interested in visiting my brand new website launched just a couple of weeks ago!

A couple of special ones: Can't remember leaves :-)  Oh dear!  Rose leaves Rose leaves

This is a piece that was dyed with no emphasis on particular leaves. It reminded me of this saying by Rengetsu, the 19th century Japanese Buddhist nun.  I created the saying in graphite.

These are from a new batch I created yesterday using copper sulphate instead of the weeknd batch where I used iron sulphate. Believe it of not thay have been dried and pressed. The results on the handmade paper are very good. The results however on the Bristol paper I used in the same pot-boil are not good ... for grounds.  And though I love the images especially the rose leaf and the fuchsia flower the paper has not flattened enough for my liking.  Perhaps they will be fine for covers for small books.  I may dampen the Bristols and try pressing again.  Fuchsia on Bristol paper Rose leaves on Bristol paper Gum leaves on Bristol paper  Gum leaves on handmade paper  Handmade paper    Handmade paper