January 2011 Scribnote

COMMENTS FROM OUR CHAIRPERSON

The year 2011 was a busy one for the Michiana Calligraphy Guild, but we loved every minute of it. Earlier this year Linda Bravata taught us to make marvelous cards in a workshop called “Card Tricks”. Marianne Burke came north from Kentucky to teach us to make books and we enjoyed learning many tips and tricks from both of these gifted instructors.
In early September, Anna Schlemma and I drove to Kalamazoo for three days to workshop entitled Flowing into Watercolor with Barbara Close and the Kalamazoo PenDragons. Anna and I had never spent three days in a car together and we had a wonderful time talking about family, life, and lettering. It was an experience I would love to repeat some day. The old saying, you never know anyone until you have lived with them or worked with them. Anna and I “lived” in the car and at the workshop and had a marvelous time! Barbara Close took us through many exercises and experiments the first two days including different ways to incorporate watercolor into your design and adding letters. On the third day, we learned to make textured letters with either watercolors or with zentangles. I loved those letters and have given several as gifts since then.



In early October, one of our favorite instructors, Rosie Kelly, came to South Bend to make paste papers. Rosie is always so patient and kind and we happily spent our day making papers that we like to use for books.

At the end of October, Louise Grunewald joined us at the South Bend Regional Museum of Art for a workshop entitled Making Marks. So, we spent another two days learning to make marks on paper but also to learn some new forms of design. I think one of my favorite parts of the workshop was that Louise took photos of our work and did a slide presentation at the end of each day with our work. They looked so lovely that some didn’t even know it was their own work on the computer. Again, we had a jam-packed year of artwork and loved every minute of it.


For our December meeting, we all met at Barbara Rogan’s for a recipe exchange and lunch. Thanks Barbara for hosting one of our favorite meetings of the year. The recipes were all handwritten and then copied to hand out to others instead of Christmas cards this year. We will be taking the originals and having them bound into a book. Even if you didn’t get one done before the Christmas meeting, please consider hand lettering one of your favorite recipes early in 2012 for the recipe book as we would love to include them. Sometime in 2012 we will be raffling off the recipe book which will be a treasure for someone for years to come. Sharon Esmont has offered to bind the original recipe book with a Japanese Binding.







Also at our December meeting, we as a group decided to donate money to three different groups. The first was to Christ the King Church where we have our monthly meetings. The second is to the Food Bank and the third is to the Midwest Museum of Art in Elkhart.
So, as you can see, we had a fun-filled year of art and if you missed a workshop, we don’t usually have the instructor back for a long time. Please continue to support your guild by membership fees, joining us on the first Saturday of every month that is not a holiday weekend, and by being a participant in a workshop. We only continue to have quality instructors because they are supported by many of you. If we don’t have enough participants, we will not be able to bring quality instructors to the South Bend area. Instructors are generally $500 a day plus travel so we cannot take money out of our pockets if the workshop is not filled. Thanks to everyone who keeps us in the black!!
This next year we will be concentrating on lettering at our meetings/study groups. We are going to be celebrating 20 years since Anne Binder and Sylvia Godsey put their heads together and out came the Michiana Calligraphy Guild. Since that time we continue to grow and prosper and have at least two workshops a year that are very well attended by members near and far.
And finally, thanks to Sharon who keeps the first Saturday of the month on the church calendar for us, Maureen who keeps our finances up to date, Amber and Renee for the wonderful job on the MCG blog, Jo who reminds us of our monthly meetings and to Anna who houses, feeds and schleps our instructors to and from the airports early in the morning. We couldn’t do it without you!





From Angie West about our Rosie workshop:
We met with Rosie Kelly for another one day workshop the first day of October. Since this has become an almost annual event, Rosie brought plenty of things for us to play with. She started the day with show and tell of some of her recent experiments with gesso thinned with water. She explained that she is looking for "sweet spots" on her paste papers to add texts. She reminded us that you can add matte medium first for a layered effect and pastels can be added either while the paste paper is wet or after it has dried. Then she showed us the luscious colors of the Twin Rocker aqueous dispersed pigments we would be using. The pigments need a binder of matt medium with the paste, but the colors were vibrant. She set us loose with only an eighth of a piece of text wove.

Working with only an eighth of a sheet was a revolution for me. I was able to slow down instead of hurrying to try and get the thing done before the paste was too dry since I am used to working with bigger sheets of Text Wove. Plus, I realized I needed to use the sponges more for application for the look I admire so much with Rosie's paste papers.

It was a good day and I walked away with some paste papers to use.

"Alone, letters are the instruments - Together, they become the symphony" ~Mary Dee


FUTURE WORKSHOPS

Jacqueline Sullivan will be teaching a class on Saturday, April 28 and Sunday, April 29, 2012. The title of Jacqueline’s workshop will be "Visual Poetry", encouraging students to use words only as part of an abstract painting and not as a foreground/background thing. I have now taught this for 4 guilds and people have done some really exciting work. We cover the basics of working on canvas as well as trying to draw an original abstract word painting out of people/ The cost of the workshop will be $100. The workshop location will be Whispering Pines. Jacqueline has been to South Bend several years ago and we welcome her back. As a guild we have used her DVD to create and inspire us with her artwork and textures.
Marijo Carney will be teaching brush lettering for a one-day workshop in September. Cost to be announced. We almost had a brush lettering workshop with Marijo a few years ago, but we had to cancel it so we are pleased that Marijo will be joining us to teach brush lettering later this year and has taught design to our guild several years ago. Welcome back, Marijo!



WEBSITES TO ENJOY

http://blog.susangaylord.com/2011/10/book-arts-tuesday-edward-johnston.html
http://www.sdfconline.com/html/linda_hirsh.html
http://jillberrydesign.com/blog/2011/11/geo-papers-and-projects/

http://www.reggieezell.com/p2m09/pic_of_week11/index.html
http://www.lisaletters.blogspot.com/#!/2008/01/we-be-needin-some-art.html

American Frame – Just a reminder that if you order from American Frame, please mention MCG, and they will give us a small stipend.

"Lettering is the magic that makes me whole." ~Collene Kalb

UPCOMING GUILD EVENTS

January 7 - Cut Out Letters – Diana Stamper Demo
February 4 - Gilding Letters – Amber Schindler
March 3 – Bone Letters- Ginny Vander Hey
April 7 – Handmade book – Maureen Trubac demo
May 5 – Uncial – Sharon Esmont
June 2 – Handmade book – Renee Tuveson
July 7 – Lettering – Anne Binder
August 4– Annual Picnic – Handmade book exchange
September 8 – Marijo Carney – Brush Lettering – one day workshop
October –
November – Versals – Angie West
December – Christmas get together – Barbara Rogan’s home

Coming in 2012– Jacqueline Sullivan April 28 & 29 – Visual Poetry and Marijo Carney – Brush Lettering – September 8

Please note that some of the meetings are not on the first Saturday of the month due to holidays or workshops. Cut this part of the information in the newsletter out, and put it on your fridge.

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP
Annual dues of $15 are due in July. Our annual dues have not changed in many years and are put to good use for supplies for our make it/take it meetings, annual raffle in August, and, at the end of the year, we give to local charities. Please remember to send your dues to the MCG post office box as soon as possible.

OFFICERS
Ginny VanderHey, President 574/262-1345 gvanderhey@hotmail.com
Sharon Esmont, Vice President 574/272-5481 Sesmont@aol.com
Maureen Trubac, Treasurer 574/272–0733 maureentrubac@hotmail.com
Amber Schindler, Secretary 574/360-9128 ambermschindler@gmail.com
Jo McPherson, Study Group Chairperson, jobakestwo@centurylink.net
Amber Schindler & Renee Tuveson – Blog Coordinators

If ever you would like to add to the newsletter/blog, please contact one of the officers, and we will get that information to Amber and Renee. Something you have done or have seen would be welcomed into our information.

"Creativity is subjective, and your art will find its tribe. Your dream has its own heartbeat. Listen for it." ~Patti Digh


OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

Pen Dragons – The Pen Dragons of Kalamazoo will be hosting Barbara Close for a workshop on September 17 & 18 and another workshop with Barbara on September 19. Check out her website to see her work: http://www.bcdezigns.com/BCgallery.htm. The Pen Dragons are very warm and welcoming when you are part of their workshops. They usually fill their workshops, so if you are interested in being a participant in one of their workshops, you may want to consider being a Pen Dragons member to get first dibs! Next year, they will be hosting Pat Blair, White House Calligrapher, in Kalamazoo.

"Good friends are like stars. You don't always see them, but you always know they are there."

October 2011 Scribnote

COMMENTS FROM OUR CHAIRPERSON

Even though I have been a calligrapher for about 16 years, I still have an anxious feeling when someone e-mails or calls me to do a broadside or letter wedding envelopes. That's how I felt when a gal from South Bend called and said that I was recommended to her and could I send samples of my work. Up pops that feeling of "will they like my work." But, I sent a couple of pictures to her via Internet. A few days later, she wrote to say that she liked my work and could I do her envelope addressing. The next thing I knew, I started addressing a list of 219 envelopes and 219 inner envelopes!!! OMG! I tried to calculate how long it would take to do them, but I was way off. I didn't calculate how my hand would get so tired, especially in the afternoon, or that my back would ache from leaning over the desk. To add to that, I could not use my lightbox for the light olive green envelopes, so I had to line them. OY! To say it was a relief to do the last one and proof-read them is an understatement. The best part is that, after she stuffed them all, she wrote to say that they were lovely, and her mother-in-law was impressed. Hooray! As I write this story, I always think of Peter Thornton quoting to us last year, "We see our work for what it isn't and our neighbor's work for what it is." We each try our best every day, and that's all we can ask. Anne Binder always said that "this is the best I can do today." Calligraphy is an art form, and we are the vessels from which the letters are transformed onto paper. Give yourself credit for doing the best you can do everyday. Of course, practicing your calligraphy as much as you can doesn't hurt, either!!!

On July 9, Maureen Trubac led our Saturday study group through a watercolor tissue paper technique. Since having Victoria Pittman in South Bend last year, Maureen has done several pieces using tissue and has come up with some lovely artwork. Everyone used different color combinations, so each piece was completely different. Thanks, Maureen, for showing us a new technique.

For our annual August picnic, we were able to sit outside and enjoy the sounds of summer and each other. We talked about what was coming up in the next few months, did show and tell, did our book raffle (Amber and Anna were the winners this year), and then did our book exchange. Afterwards, we had a wonderful luncheon and enjoyed each other’s company. The picnic is one of the highlights of the year that we all enjoy.








Our September meeting was spent watching The Illuminator, a documentary about The Saint John’s Bible, provided by Amber. We were in utter awe watching and following the steps taken to create a beautiful piece of artwork by Donald Jackson and his team. From the lettering to the illumination, it was a blessing to watch the talent of calligraphers as they create. Thanks, Amber, for sharing!

We also decided at our meeting that, this year, for our annual “Christmas Card Exchange,” we would do something different rather than make cards to share. Everyone has three months to put together a small broadside of your favorite recipe, which does not have to be a Christmas recipe. The recipe must be on an 8 ½ x 11 inch piece of paper of your choosing with a two-inch margin on the left and a 1 – 1 ½ inch top and bottom margin. Then, before the meeting, please make copies of the broadside to exchange with others. Some of our nicer papers, like arches text wove, can be cut and run through a regular printer that we have at home. I’ve already been looking through my thousands of recipes trying to decide which one I would like to do. The broadside is not mandatory to attend the meeting but will be lots of fun. Please bring the original copy with you. The originals will be bound into a booklet and raffled at a later meeting.

"Alone, letters are the instruments - Together, they become the symphony" ~Mary Dee


FUTURE WORKSHOPS

Louise Grunewald - We are excited that Louise can come to South Bend for a workshop on October 29 & 30, 2011 entitled Making Marks. Louise will also give a lecture on Friday night, October 28, at Christ the King Church to tell us how she got started in her artwork. This lecture is open to the public. Louise is a talented artist that works in marks and watercolors. This newsletter will announce the beginning of registration for this workshop. If you are interested in this workshop, please send your check in the full amount of $110/$125 for non-members to Maureen Trubac, MCG - PO Box 11513, South Bend, Indiana 46601. Supply list will be sent to you upon registration. The workshop will be held from 9 am until 5 pm on both days at the South Bend Regional Museum of Art. Please do not delay in signing up for this workshop!! We still have a couple of slots left for anyone thinking of joining the MCG.

Info regarding the lecture on Friday night from Louise:

Traveling the Artistic Road
The lifetime journey of an artist could be analogous to a long road trip. It includes much anticipation, planning, dreaming, mapping, exploration into unknown territory, detours, unpaved sections, roadblocks, longer hours at the wheel than planned, and every so often the necessity of a new vehicle when the old one is no longer appropriate, or even working. By the time a working artist has passed the half century mark, she has done a fair amount of traveling on the artistic road. If she is growing, there will be an evolution to her work. The process of growing older and the experiences that come with that, will color (literally) the shape and tone and message of the artwork. In this slide talk, I intend to document highlights of my particular journey as a working artist, showing how earlier influences have led to what I am doing today. The emphasis of the presentation will be on current work; however, I will show how I got to this part of my experience with scenes from earlier days. My transition from commercial artist to artist began around the year 2000 and has been the most adventurous part of the artistic road so far. I am now working to please myself, not my clients, and my art has become more experimental, both in the ideas I am exploring and the materials I am choosing to work with. I look forward to sharing my travels with you. ©Louise Grunewald , July 2011

Rosie Kelly – Rosie Kelly will be coming to South Bend on October 1, 2011 to help us experiment with colors and textures on paste paper. I think most of you have gotten the e-mail and/or signed up for this workshop. There is now a waiting list for this workshop, as it is full. The workshop will cost $50. Rosie never fails to disappoint us when she visits South Bend, and we continue to learn from her expertise. The workshop will be held at Christ the King Church on Cleveland Road in South Bend from 9 am – 5 pm.

"Perfect is good ----- Finished is better"


WEBSITES TO ENJOY

http://www.inkflourishes.blogspot.com/
http://www.societyforcalligraphy.org/PDFs/bulletins/bulletin.pdf
http://www.igraver.com/drawing_leafscript/
http://www.lauriedoctor.com/Gallery/Gallery.html

Dave Wood on You Tube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcWZgaV1GWY&NR=1

American Frame – Just a reminder that if you order from American Frame, please mention MCG, and they will give us a small stipend.

"Lettering is the magic that makes me whole." ~Collene Kalb


UPCOMING GUILD EVENTS

October 1 – Rosie Kelly – Christ the King Church - 9 to 5
October 28 - Louise Grunewald Lecture – Christ the King Church – Free! 6 – 7 pm
October 29/30 – Louise Grunewald Workshop – Making Marks - 9 to 5
November 5 – Grinding Ink and Lettering
December 3 – Christmas Meeting and Carry-in at Barbara Rogan’s – Recipe Exchange
January 7 - Cut Out Letters – Diana Stamper Demo
February 4 - Gilding Letters – Amber Schindler
Upcoming in 2012 – Jacqueline Sullivan April 28 & 29 – Visual Poetry and Marijo Carney – Brush Lettering – September 8

Please note that some of the meetings are not on the first Saturday of the month due to holidays or workshops. Cut this part of the information in the newsletter out, and put it on your fridge.

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP
Annual dues of $15 are due in July. Our annual dues have not changed in many years and are put to good use for supplies for our make it/take it meetings, annual raffle in August, and, at the end of the year, we give to local charities. Please remember to send your dues to the MCG post office box as soon as possible.

OFFICERS
Ginny VanderHey, President 574/262-1345 gvanderhey@hotmail.com
Sharon Esmont, Vice President 574/272-5481 Sesmont@aol.com
Maureen Trubac, Treasurer 574/272–0733 maureentrubac@hotmail.com
Amber Schindler, Secretary 574/360-9128 ambermschindler@gmail.com
Jo McPherson, Study Group Chairperson, jobakestwo@centurylink.net
Amber Schindler & Renee Tuveson – Blog Coordinators

If ever you would like to add to the newsletter/blog, please contact one of the officers, and we will get that information to Amber and Renee. Something you have done or have seen would be welcomed into our information.

"Creativity is subjective, and your art will find its tribe. Your dream has its own heartbeat. Listen for it." ~Patti Digh


OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

Pen Dragons – The Pen Dragons of Kalamazoo will be hosting Barbara Close for a workshop on September 17 & 18 and another workshop with Barbara on September 19. Check out her website to see her work: http://www.bcdezigns.com/BCgallery.htm. The Pen Dragons are very warm and welcoming when you are part of their workshops. They usually fill their workshops, so if you are interested in being a participant in one of their workshops, you may want to consider being a Pen Dragons member to get first dibs! Next year, they will be hosting Pat Blair, White House Calligrapher, in Kalamazoo.

Artful Retreat – Have you ever considered how music, sound or silence affects, informs and directs you? In the pristine northern Michigan woods, we have the unique advantage of entraining our bodies to the healing frequencies and harmonics of nature—creating a more centered and grounded awareness within our work and our lives. The annual Artful Retreat will be held from October 16 – 22, 2011 at Lake Louse in Michigan. Please contact Karen Vosburg or Joya Helmuth for more information or go to www.artfulretreat.com. This year Pam Paulsrud, a mixed media artist from Chicago, will be joining the Artful Retreat.

Imagine five colorful autumn days in a spacious and sunlit lodge, nestled in the beautiful northern Michigan woods, on the shores of a crystal clear lake. Now imagine yourself with these same five uninterrupted days (minus kids, dogs, well-meaning spouses, and daily obligations) to totally immerse yourself in a stimulating workshop in a great studio space, working anytime day or night that you choose.

Leisure activities include kayaking, hiking, and shopping in the nearby towns of Petoskey (on Little Traverse Bay) and Charlevoix, located on the channel connecting beautiful Lake Charlevoix and Lake Michigan.

Reggie Ezzell
Variations on Carolingian
Sat. and Sun. Nov. 12-13, 2011
Columbus, OH (Whitehall)
$150 Calligraphy Guild of Columbus member
$175 non-member
$75 deposit by Oct. 15, 2011
Contact information: ilovlttrs@mac.com

A workshop with Reggie Ezzell
Modern Design
Monday, Nov. 14, 2011 9:30 am to 5 pm
Tuition $75 - Materials fee $15
New Albany Library Conference Room, 200 Market St. New Albany, OH 43054
Contact: Sandy Mundy, e-mail ilovlttrs@mac.com or telephone 614-338-1301

"Good friends are like stars. You don't always see them, but you always know they are there."

July 2011 Scribnote

COMMENTS FROM OUR CHAIRPERSON-

April started out with a wonderful one-day workshop by making books with Marianne Burke. Marianne is a member of our guild who lives in the Kentucky/Cincinnati area, but joins us occasionally for workshops. Marianne is a treasure trove of information for making handmade books and we enjoyed the day putting books together and having completed or almost completed books to take home. Marianne was very generous with her supplies and knowledge. Thanks Marianne for coming to South Bend to teach us.

Linda Bravata and Cindy Bowles from Grand Rapids were with MCG members to participate in a workshop called “Card Tricks” on April 16, which was one of the most practical workshops I have ever had. You know how we all like to make cards and these gals showed us so many cards to make, it made my head spin! But, as usual, I brought my trusty camera along so that I could revisit the techniques many times when I needed a card for someone. One of my favorites was the watercolor boxes with “thank you” or a message of some sort, and then put on the front of a card. We made several sizes of cards each one being unique. Thanks Linda and Cindy for sharing!

On May 14, Angie West took us through the paces of making zentangles. If you don’t know what they are, google zentangles and you will see many interesting designs. We just have so much fun doing new things and adding them to our ever-growing list of art work we like to do.

In June, ten members came together at Christ the King Church to re-create the Jackie Sullivan technique. We met at our usual time and created until almost 4 pm. We put on the Jackie Sullivan DVD and played it over and over so we could grasp what Jackie was trying to teach us. Our pieces all look different, but we had a wonderful day working with canvas, watercolor paper, tin foil, cheesecloth, tissue, several Golden mediums and acrylic paints. We love our big room in the front area of the church that has tiled floors and a kitchen for keeping our lunch and having use of the sinks which of course we use a lot of when creating. This room was not available to us on June 4, but Sharon Esmont always finds us another room to use in the church that can accommodate us. We can never thank Sharon or Christ the King Church enough for letting us be a part of their extended congregation. Sharon is always the first on the scene unlocking the doors and getting us to the room we are working in every month. We are truly blessed to be able to use this wonderful facility where we have no stairs to climb and have a short walk to the building. Thanks Sharon!!!

I’ve mentioned this before, but it is worth repeating. Working in a school gives me a unique opportunity to go into a classroom and show young children the limitless tools of calligraphy. They are mesmerized with all the different ways they can have their name written and scream for more. In April I went to a third grade classroom and wrote their mom’s name on bookmarks. The teacher was then going to have the students write a poem on the back side of that bookmark and the bookmark would be given as a Mother’s Day gift to their mom or grandma. They are so attentive and responsive to this new form of art they are experiencing and in the long run, we may have some become interested in calligraphy in another 10 years. The cycle must be nurtured to turn children and young adults onto calligraphy. If you have any connection to a school and are comfortable in speaking to students, I encourage you to see all the wide eyes as you create beautiful letters right before their eyes. In addition, after one teacher saw the results, she asked if I was coming to her classroom too…..and of course, I did.

Thank you – A big thank you to Angie West, Pat West, Amber Schindler and Lauren Matacio for setting up the pieces at Andrews University. The books and broadsides were beautiful and were showcased at the University library for the month of April. Thanks also to Angie for making all the tags that described the artist and their mediums. Lauren reported that the exhibit was well received.

FUTURE WORKSHOPS

Louise Grunewald – We are excited that Louise can come to South Bend for a workshop on October 29 & 30, 2011 entitled Making Marks. Louise will also give a lecture on Friday night, October 28, at Christ the King Church to tell us how she got started in her artwork. Louise is a talented artist that works in marks and watercolors. This newsletter will announce the beginning of registration for this workshop. Please be aware that only the first 20 checks we receive from participants will be in the classroom with Louise and the rest will be put onto a waiting list. If you are interested in this workshop, please send your check in the full amount of $110/$125 for non members, to Maureen Trubac, MCG - PO Box 11513, South Bend, Indiana 46601. Supply list will be sent to you upon registration. The workshop will be held from 9 am until 5 pm on both days at the South Bend Regional Museum of Art. Please do not delay in signing up for this workshop!!

Rosie Kelly – We are hoping to have Rosie come back to South Bend in the fall, date TBA, to teach us another handmade book or pastepaper. Date, cost and supplies to be announced.
American Frame – Just a reminder that if you order from American Frame, please mention MCG and they will give us a small stipend.

WEBSITES TO CHECK OUT

barbara@bcdezigns.com (Barbara Close)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWdrOtci_Ys (Heather Held YouTube)
http://jalbum.net/en/browse/user/album/304927/ (Yves Laterme)
www.victoiriapittman.blogspot.com/
http://www.inkflourishes.blogspot.com/
http://www.societyforcalligraphy.org/PDFs/bulletins/bulletin.pdf (new)


UPCOMING GUILD EVENTS

July 9 – Tissue and watercolor technique – Maureen & Ginny 9 am - noon
August 6 – Annual Picnic – Ginny‘s house – Book Exchange (Create a handmade book)
September 10 – Grinding ink and lettering & St John’s Bible DVD – Ginny & Amber
October 1 - TBA
November 5 – TBA
December 3 – Christmas meeting and carry-in at Barbara Rogan’s – Christmas Card Exchange


October and November are TBA’s because we want to have Rosie Kelly and go to St. Mary’s to see the St. John’s exhibit. We just don’t know which one will be which. We will have that information soon.

Please note that some of the meetings are not on the first Saturday of the month due to holidays or workshops. Cut this part of the newsletter out and put it on your fridge


Annual Membership –
Annual dues of $15 are due in July. Our annual dues have not changed in many years and are put to good use for supplies for our make it/take it meetings, annual raffle in August, and at the end of the year we give to local charities. Please remember to send your dues to the MCG post office box as soon as possible.



THE MICHIANA CALLIGRAPHY GUILD
The Michiana Calligraphy Guild, based in South Bend, Indiana, is a non-profit organization dedicated to the art and study of calligraphy. One-year memberships are $15.00, renewable each June. Monthly meetings are open to the public and held at Christ the King Church on Cleveland Road in South Bend from 10 am until noon.
MCG
PO Box 11513
South Bend, Indiana 46601

OFFICERS
Ginny Vanderhey, President 574/262-1345 gvanderhey@hotmail.com
Sharon Esmont, Vice President 574/272-5481 Sesmont@aol.com
Maureen Trubac, Treasurer 574/272–0733 maureentrubac@hotmail.com
Angie West, Secretary. 269/683-3609 Merciwest@aol.com
Jo McPherson, Study Group Chairperson, jobakestwo@centurylink.net
Amber Schlinder & Renee Tuveson – Blog Coordinators

If ever you have something to add to the newsletter/blog, please contact one of the officers and we will get that information to Amber and Renee. Something you have done, or something you have seen would be welcomed into our information.

Pen Dragons – The Pen Dragons of Kalamazoo will be hosting Barbara Close for a workshop on September 17 & 18 and another workshop with Barbara on September 19. Check out her website to see her work: http://www.bcdezigns.com/BCgallery.htm. The Pen Dragons are very warm and welcoming when you are part of their workshops. They usually fill their workshops so if you are interested in being a participant, you may want to consider being a Pen Dragon member to get first dibs!


Perfect is good ----- Finished is better

Artful Retreat –

Have you ever considered how music, sound or silence affects, informs and directs you? In the pristine northern Michigan woods we have the unique advantage of entraining our bodies to the healing frequencies and harmonics of nature—creating a more centered and grounded awareness within our work and our lives. The annual Artful Retreat will be held from October 16 – 22, 2011 at Lake Louse in Michigan. Please contact Karen Vosburg or Joya Helmuth for more information or go to www.artfulretreat.com. This year Pam Paulsrud, a mixed media artist from Chicago, will be joining the Artful Retreat

Imagine five colorful autumn days in a spacious and sunlit lodge, nestled in the beautiful northern Michigan woods, on the shores of a crystal clear lake. Now imagine yourself with these same five uninterrupted days (minus kids, dogs, well-meaning spouses and daily obligations) to totally immerse yourself in a stimulating workshop in a great studio space, working anytime day or night that you choose.

Leisure activities include kayaking, hiking, and shopping in the nearby towns of Petoskey (on Little Traverse Bay) and Charlevoix, located on the channel connecting beautiful Lake Charlevoix and Lake Michigan.


"Vinum scripton reddatur de melion"
Save the best wine for the scribe.

It is a happy talent to know how to play.
Ralph Waldo Emerson


Officers – Nominations for officers will be accepted through July. If you would like to be an officer on the board of MCG, please contact Sharon Esmont. Angie West will be stepping down as secretary and we will need to appoint a new person in that position. Please think about being an officer in the MCG. We have several people involved on the board and are always looking for others to help. The rewards are that we communicate with old and new calligraphy members on a regular basis and that in itself is amazing.



Reflections from our two April workshops:

Marianne Burke

What a dear friend! Only a friend can make you feel at ease with a no-stress workshop. We felt as if we were visiting as Marianne shared and slowly guided us through her thinking process of developing a book.
Think in 3’s! Your color palette should be one main color and two contrasting colors. Gold, white, silver and black can be added in addition. Shape, decorative elements, papers, size, text – these are all the thoughts she pulls together to make her fantastic books. And to think she was able to get us all there, also!!
We worked on our design elements by doing a mock up of our book and were enthralled to see these original, gorgeous books come together.
The best feature I brought out of this workshop was that Marianne makes up packets of her book materials so that at any given time she only has to grab a packet with the correct colors or shapes and basically letter and bind and voila’ – she’s done! As long as your papers, decorative elements, etc. are out cluttering up your work table, why not cut papers for a book in various sizes, match them with decorative elements, end papers and binding threads – put them in a packet – and have all that pre-planning done. Fantastic!!!
Diana Stamper

Linda Bravata
Linda Bravata presented a cardmaking workshop to the Michiana Calligraphy
Guild in mid-April. It was great! She demonstrated that cards can be made simply and quickly. Our first project was a 15 minute card. We were given three elements with which to make a card in that 15 minute time and many of the samples were so very good. The next card had more elements and a bit more time.

After the lunch break, we continued with demonstrations of helpful equipment and for using different paper widths. It was a day filled with new ideas—I usually take a full day to make a card—I really needed this workshop! Linda and Cindy Bowles had many examples. We ended the day with turning squiggles on paper into people, animals and plants, finishing with painting them with watercolors, much as one does when looking at clouds. I have to say that was my favorite part!
Jo McPherson


Birthdays for July, August, September:

Angie West - September 10
Rose Kopec - September 16
Ginny Vander Hey - September 25


Take a look at this video of how ink is made for printing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fypi6dAJB8E&feature=player_embedded

April 2011 Scribnote

COMMENTS FROM OUR CHAIRPERSON

After a terrible winter of lots of snow, it is exciting to see the trees start to bloom and the crocus push their way toward the light.  Hopefully, many of you have spent countless hours at your table practicing letters, making handmade books, broadsides, etc.  I spent two days home from work sewing on a quilt for my 11-year old granddaughter’s bed and when the furnace went out, probably from too much work this winter, I got to sew the binding on the quilt and complete it.  You have to think out of the box when the saying, “make hay while the sun shines” comes to mind. 

Our January meeting was cancelled due to the snow and bad roads. At our February meeting we met from 10 am until 2 pm recreating the Rosie handmade books that we first made last November.  These four to six hour get togethers allow us to have some extra time together to complete more projects.  It is like an extended make it/take it and we all have something to show for our time together.  For our March meeting, we made a Rosie card that we learned to do about 1 ½ years ago and, thanks to paste paper, we can create a lovely card to send out to someone special. 

As I have stated before, our study group began over 10 years ago and is still getting stronger.  We have evolved from bringing something to show once in a while to creating lovely art work together.  In June we will be getting together for the day to recreate the Jackie Sullivan technique so  be sure to join us for a BIG make it/take it workshop. 

MCG Blog – Shannon Wilson has created a blog for the Michiana Calligraphy Guild, www.michianacalligraphy.com.  A variety of features will be included on the MCG Blog, pictures, supply lists and any other information you will need to know during the course of the year.  The blog has been up and running since the end of December.  Thanks Shannon for all your hard work in creating this for us! And, speaking of Shannon,…..we want to wish her and her family many blessings as they move to New York State.  We will miss you Shannon!  Amber Schindler and Renee Tuveson will be taking over the duties on the MCG blog.

FUTURE WORKSHOPS

Marianne Burke –Marianne Burke from Kentucky will teach us a handmade book class a few days after you read this newsletter so, if you haven’t signed up yet, please contact Ginny Vander Hey (gvanderhey@hotmail.com).  Marianne makes beautiful handmade books and will be here on Saturday, April 2, 2011 at Christ the King Lutheran Church from 9 am – 5 pm.  The cost of her class will be $30.    A supply list will be sent to you upon registration in the class. 

Linda Bravata – At the March 5 meeting, Anna Schlemma brought cards that were made in a workshop in Kalamazoo on February 5.  The cards were stunning and it was a unanimous vote that we get Linda as soon as possible to teach us how to do these wonderful pieces of art.  We are happy to announce that Linda will be teaching a workshop on Saturday, April 16, 2011, from 9 am until 5 pm at Christ the King Church.  The cost for this workshop will be a very affordable price of $23. which will include the supply fee from Linda. This class has a limited size, so contact Ginny Vander Hey (gvanderhey@hotmail.com) ASAP.  We know this is short notice and that it follows the Marianne Burke workshop, but this is the best date we could get with Linda and her busy schedule.  We all send out many cards every year and learning new skills from Linda will enhance our card making abilities for the future.  Supply list will be sent upon registration.

Cards that Anna made in Kalamazoo workshop

Rosie Kelly – We are hoping to have Rosie come back to South Bend in the fall, date TBA, to teach us another handmade book.  Date, cost and supplies to be announced.

Louise Grunewald – Judy Bruzza kindly sent us some of Louise’s work. We are excited that Louise can come to South Bend for a workshop on October 29 & 30, 2011.  Louise is a talented artist that works in marks and watercolors.  More information will be forthcoming regarding cost, supplies and workshop times. Please put October 29 and 30, 2011 on your calendar for this workshop. Cost TBA.

American Frame – Just a reminder that if you order from American Frame, please mention MCG and they will give us a small stipend. 

Choice by choice, moment by moment, I build the necklace of my day, stringing together the choices that form artful living. -- Julia Cameron

WEBSITES TO CHECK OUT

www.victoiriapittman.blogspot.com/

www.cecilia-letteringart.com/index.htm

http://www.societyforcalligraphy.org/

www.canberragem.blogspot.com

http://www.reggieezell.com/p2m09/pic_of_week11/index.html

http://calligraphy.tv/index.html (educational videos from Denis Brown)

UPCOMING GUILD EVENTS

April 2 – Marianne Burke handmade book – 9 – 5 pm – Christ the King Church

April 16 – Linda Bravata workshop – Handmade Cards “Card Tricks” - 9 – 5 pm

May 14 – Zentangles – Angie West

June 4 – Jackie Sullivan DVD – Make your own piece – 10 am – 4 pm

July 9 – Tissue and watercolor technique – Maureen & Ginny 9 am - noon

August 6

September 10 – Grinding ink and lettering & St John’s Bible DVD – Ginny & Amber

October 1 - TBA

November 5 – TBA

December 3 – Christmas meeting and carry-in at Barbara Rogan’s – Christmas Card Exchange

October and November are TBA’s because we want to have Rosie Kelly and go to St. Mary’s to see the St. John’s exhibit.  We just don’t know which one will be which. We will have that information soon. 

Please note that some of the meetings are not on the first Saturday of the month due to holidays or workshops.  Cut this part of the newsletter out and put it on your fridge.

In June, 2011 we will again be watching the Jackie Sullivan DVD and recreating at the same time.  We did this last year, and many of our members took home masterpieces!  I cut mine up to make cards since I didn’t get the masterpiece that day.  But, it was used nonetheless.  We will let you know what supplies you need to bring as it gets closer to June.


OTHER OPPORTUNITIES


Silent Words Retreat
Anne Binder has asked me to help spread the word about a calligraphy retreat that will be held at the Bergamo Retreat Center in Dayton, OH June 5 to 9th.  The center sits on 150 acres of land with wooded trails, a labyrinth, Grotto, and boasts of wildlife.  The facilities are modern and all rooms have private baths.


Silent Words has arranged for workshops with Jacqueline Sullivan, Judy Melvin, Sheila and Julian Waters, and Rosie Huart.  Participants may also opt which instructors they wish to take.  Or, like Anne, can opt not to take classes, but instead using a private workroom for the week as her own studio.  Anne is willing to share a table or two!


All the info can be found at http://www.silentwordsretreat.org and you can read more about the retreat enter at http://www.bergamocenter.org/index.htm


The cost is very reasonable.  Space is limited to 60 so the retreat is meant to be intimate and informal.  Give it some thought!


Pen Dragons
The Pen Dragons of Kalamazoo will be hosting Barbara Close for a workshop on September 17 & 18 and another workshop with Barbara on September 19.  Check out her website to see her work: http://www.bcdezigns.com/BCgallery.htm.  The Pen Dragons are very warm and welcoming when you are part of their workshops.  They usually fill their workshops so if you are interested in being a participant, you may want to consider being a Pen Dragon member to get first dibs!

Chicago Calligraphy Collective 
The 25^th Annual Juried Exhibition of the Chicago Calligraphy Collective will be held from March 21 until June 25, 2011.at the Newberry Library in Chicago, Illinois.  The opening reception will be on Saturday, April 9, 201 from 11 am until 3 pm.  Calligraphy demonstrations and activities from 11:30 am until 1 pm.  Last March a group of us took the train into Chicago and had a wonderful day at the reception seeing the demos from four talented artists.  The juried calligraphy is beautiful and motivating.  If you get a chance to be in Chicago, don’t miss this once a year event!

For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them. --Aristotle

Birthdays for April, May & June: 

Sharon Esmont and Amber Schindler       May 18
Renee Tuveson       June 28