Colleagues programs always arrive bearing gifts: conviviality, learning, sharing, visual inspiration, and dynamic conversation. Hands and hearts resonated together at our first online program on Saturday, May 16. All of the usual gifts were there in abundance along with 36 adventuresome participants who settled down with computers, phones, or tablets, waiting to be connected as if by magic to the world of Zoom.
As with our usual May program, we began with a little business. President Sally Wightkin was our able host, announcing the election of two new board members: Membership Director, Alyssa Tuma, and Program Director, Mary McKee. She thanked outgoing board members, Ann Hoffman and Erin Dung, for their diligent work. Sally reminded us that program and workshop planning continues as always, now with an eye to creative adaptation as needed. Treasurer Colleen Mlecoch shared a financial report, noting a net loss this year due to less member renewals than expected. On behalf of the board, she acknowledged that it is difficult time for many, but encouraged those who are able to renew their membership. The final item of business was a reminder that checked-out library materials can be returned at our next in-person program, probably in the Fall.
Maddy Haigh was congratulated as the latest winner of The Jo White Scholarship! Maddy was on hand to talk about study possibilities for this next year.
The Demo Corner thrived with Karen Eighmy who expertly wielded the pointed brush from her home in Apple Valley. First on the agenda was a Roman-like lower case style, followed by compatible capitals. Karen’s answer to a “bigger” capital was to handily double stroke it. She used the reliable, finely pointed Pentel Color Brush, demonstrating the dry-brush technique and tiny letters both with the same brush. Other favorites for pointed brush letters: Kolinsky Escoda #6 and Faber Castell Pitt Artist pens. Karen showed a few finished brush pieces, some with traditional letters and layouts, and others with freer, livelier arrangements; some without a great deal of planning. She encouraged the group to, “Experiment; and if it doesn’t work, take out another piece of paper.”
Employed for 37 years at Jostens, Karen was first hired for her pen-lettering skills. Prior to Jostens’ shift into the digital age, she hand-lettered original posters used to promote class ring sales campaigns at high schools across the country. She has taught numerous calligraphy classes and designed a broad range of greeting cards for The Printery House at Conception Abbey in Missouri.
Sharing our work and recent projects was a vibrant part of the May Program:
Kris MacDonald showed several of her practice sheets with edged-brush Trajan letters as part of her online class with Yves Leterme, Belgian calligrapher (and former high school teacher of Greek and Latin).
Pat Barrett held up her latest italic project and talked briefly about her soon-to-begin online class with Yves.
Georgia Greeley shared an idea for using leftover studio materials to make new work. She created a sturdy 3- to 4-inch square Coptic book with off-cut paper scraps, and decorated the cover with a 3D capital.
Karen Erickson in Alexandria, Minnesota, showed a birthday card made for her by a Colleague years ago, as a part of our birthday card project.
Thelma Olds shared her recent pen work on painted wooden slates, a gift yet to be given to a neighbor.
Jean Formo is learning the handwriting of William Morris, to be included as one element in her latest artist book about the English designer. Jean also recommended the book Making a Life by Melanie Falick, stating that she loves the life of a maker.
Janey Westin showed a painting on her wall by Ilse Nesbitt and encouraged the group to check her out.
Maddy, who formerly studied art in Florence, Italy, shared some amazing examples of her oil paintings, past and present.
Gerry Nichols tuned in from Naples, Florida, to read a poem she wrote as part of a book she made for Abby, a 2-year-old COVID-19 patient.
Erin shared about a self-portrait, in which she had integrated letters with the image.
A fun part of our time together was spent with a Lettering Challenge. Erin presented a choice of short phrases: “Extreme Nesting” and “Tomorrow Needs You.” Pens in hand, sitting in front of our digital devices, we began. Ten minutes later it was time for the art show. Sally took a screen shot of our enthusiastic results. The Colleagues awarded a Wet Paint Artists’ Materials and Framing $25 gift certificate as a door prize. Sheila Moenck will enjoy new art supplies!
Pictured below: Colleagues of Calligraphy online meeting, each participant holding up her or his Lettering Challenge artwork, “Tomorrow Needs You” lettering by Maddy Haigh, pointed brush calligraphy demo by Karen Eighmy, visiting with Colleagues on Zoom, and “Extreme Nesting” lettering by Jill Gebhardt.
