Update: commissions, teaching & relaxing

This little vellum work will be on exhibition in April & May 2016 in London at Cornelissen & Son at 105 Great Russell Street. Many thanks to Patricia Lovett for organising this exhibition.

Ah, I haven't had time to scratch myself or so the saying goes!  There have been some really lovely commissions that have crossed my desk recently. A very special one has arrived from The Folio Society, London, that I am thrilled to bits about.  It is the design of a book cover, spine & title along with a number of - 20 odd - illuminated letters throughout the book.  Once the publication is well under way and all briefs have been fulfilled and satisfied, I'll post a few images.

On the teaching scene my Tasmanian Wednesday workshops are going along nicely with interest in all things formal and informal calligraphy.  I love these Wednesday get together as my class participants a eager and just lovely people. These workshop are held here in my home studio and are always fun and firm friendships are made.

Totally out of the box, just recently I ran a class on introduction to mandala drawing for the Kingborough Council. It was a very enjoyable day for folk who wanted to experience the relaxation and joy of mandala drawing. Again, I shall bring you some images soon.

It is a busy time for me leading up to my time away this winter in the northern summer United States.  I have three workshops planned this year. The first in Washington DC where I will be catching up with Sheila Waters for some very serious lettering conversation. My workshop there will be for the Washington Calligraphers Guild, a five days on Versals.  Then I am off to Ghost Ranch in Albuquerque, New Mexico for five days finishing up with the 35th International Lettering Arts Conference A Show of Hands in Asheville, North Carolina. A four week period brimming with lettering and mixing with wonderful like-minded people.

Of course all these things take my time away from relaxing. I have been writing lesson plans, revisiting all my exemplars and basically make sure every i is dotted and every t is crossed to ensure a smooth series of workshops.

I have taken a few days at Easter just to relax, finish a few loose ends, read some books and get into a good place so nothing overwhelms me.  I have been making jams and relishes, stocking up for the winter.  In May I shall be having my cataracts removed and new lenses surgically replaced. Eye surgery frightens me. I am sure it frightens everyone who finds themselves with appointments rapidly approaching. I do hope all will be well, and all manner of things will be well  and I shall be able to see better and brighter thereafter, all jokes aside thank you.  

If you are at all interested in joining my calligraphy workshops & classes list wherever you are in the world, please let me know and I'll add your email address to the biannual information notification.

Watch this space!