Author Archives: linda

Ready for 2014

2014_calendar5

I think most people would agree with me, but I absolutely love calendars. I always make sure I have a beautiful one ready for the new year. This year, I decided to make one of my own!

When I started my winter vacation last week, I sat down and wrote out all the months of the year in a fun modern calligraphy style.

2014_calendar1

My very kind and generous in-laws got me the Wacom Intuos Pen and Touch Tablet from my wish list this year, so I played around with it and drew a little wreath. I absolutely love it! The last time I really used one was back in the late 90’s when I worked at a dotcom startup. I just made a circular guideline with the marquee and drew the rest with the brush tool, all done in Photoshop. The Wacom pen tool has come a long way! The pressure sensitivity is fantastic.

A little bit of scanning, then some more Photoshop, then Illustrator and InDesign completed the calendar layout.

Bloom Calligraphy 2014 Printable Calendar

Voila! The calendar (in both vertical and horizontal formats) is now available in my Etsy shop as instant digital downloads. All you need is a PDF Reader, a good color printer, and good quality cover stock in Letter size (8.5″ x 11″) and you’re good to go.

20131227print

Here is my very own calligraphy calendar, ready for the new year. Wishing you all a very Happy 2014! Let’s make it a great one!

Dreams Come True

20131121_lounginglinda1

I recently did a calligraphy piece for Linda, a long-time friend who is an Art Director by day, fantastic dolly seamstress by night, and wonder woman all-around. Linda has a line of doll couture called Lounging Linda and her work is simply sublime!

Linda’s work is so special and one-of-a-kind. She is an expert at combining rich colors and wonderful textures with a splash of glamour and retro deliciousness. And always, always, a touch of gold.

So when Linda and I got to talk about a framed art piece for her, she thought gold and burgundy would work well together for her shop tagline: “May all your dolly dreams come true.” I wholeheartedly agreed!

Continue reading →

The Light Shines Within

20131112_art_2

I came across the beautiful quote by American writer and poet Maya Angelou on Pinterest and knew I had to make something that expresses the sentiment. And of course, with all the vintage collectibles in the house, a styled photoshoot was in order!

I have been picking up vintage wood frames and thought this one would work perfectly. It measures 5″x7″ which would make a lovely gift or a great addition to a family gallery wall.

Continue reading →

Inspired by Lyrics

20131110lyrics5

“Maybe I’m Amazed,” one of my favorite McCartney songs.

Everyone who knows me know that I am a huge music fan. I’m especially fond of beautiful melodies with lyrics that I can really identify with. Sure, I enjoy happy music like everyone else, but songs of introspection, sadness, longing, and loss always make me stop and listen.

Inspired by the word of a few lettering artists on Tumblr, I started setting lyrics to calligraphy and lettering as practice and have been getting so much positive feedback when I shared them on Instagram and Tumblr. I’m so thankful to everyone who has been supportive with their “likes” and comments.

Here are a few more from my notebook:

Continue reading →

Instagram Leads to Letter-writing!

20131106_joy1

My letter to Joy (photo by Joy)

 

When I was in my teens, one of my favorite things to do was to write notes and send letters. I prided myself on excellent penmanship, vast collection of cute stationery and supplies, and a great, big, glorious callus on my right hand from years of writing. Of course, when email came along and became the standard of written communication, I traded my pens and pencils for my mouse and keyboard like everyone else.

I missed writing of course. There’s nothing like sitting down with a pencil in hand and a clean white sheet of paper in front of you. For some reason, expressing your thoughts via brain to hand, to pen, and then to paper feels differently than clicking away on the keyboard and seeing letters form into words and into sentences. with the physical act of writing, you compose your thoughts and organize them in a better way. So when I met fellow calligraphy/writing enthusiasts on Instagram who suggested trading envelopes, I jumped at the opportunity!

Continue reading →

American Gothic

20131020gothic1

I started a new calligraphy session in the Fall – Gothic/Blackletter. After working on pointed pen calligraphy all summer, getting back to the broad nib pen took some getting used to. We started with Textura which felt very structured, and of course, I didn’t like it at all. But after several weeks of keeping at it, I can finally say: I like Gothic! I just couldn’t get my writing to look as beautiful as I want it to be, but that’s something to work hard for.

Today I decided to have a bit of fun and made a garland for Halloween. After all, nothing’s more perfect for Halloween than the Gothic hand!

20131020gothic2

Continue reading →

In Flight

I’ve been working on a commissioned piece for a client who wanted to share this lovely sentiment in the memory of her son. Sadly, he left this world shortly after he was born, but she is reminded of him every time she sees hummingbirds, dragonflies and butterflies in flight.

Hummingbird commission 

I penned a version in pale blue ink, but I am really loving the gold. It’s very subtle yet special. The gold ink is my current favorite, Schmincke’s Calligraphy Gouache in Gold Pearl, which is available at Paper & Ink Arts.

Hummingbird commission

The nib used is a Zebra G, really helpful to be able to write small. The size of the piece is 7″ x 5″, written on Strathmore Art Paper.