Friday, August 20, 2010

Boston Part One




So I had mentioned Boston.  This was the view from the front door of the dorm that I stayed in at Stonehill College.  It was just gorgeous.  Brisk and green.  Such a stark contrast to Austin.



And this is my new friend Adam Heller.  He is one of the artists behind Samaritan Carvers located in Rhode Island.  He is so talented and passionate.  Because of him I came home with a new goal (one of many), to learn to carve stone.  

He was traditionally trained and apprenticed but is now stepping out and creating modern carved pieces. Just beautiful stuff.



This is my absolute favorite picture from my Boston trip.  One that I would like to watercolor or draw or paint...just so that I can experience it further.  

It depicts Ewan Clayton's (my amazing teacher) hat along with some reed pens and a smattering of other goodies that were on the table.  It is a wonderful memory for me and one that will not soon lose.



And this is where the moon piece that I previously posted started.  Staring at this gorgeous and haunting moon.

Hope that you have all had a great week.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

In This Night


In this night
I look at the moon
so bright, so clear
so uncomplicated

In this night
I look at myself
so new, unclear
so complicated

Will I ever let peacefulness reside
within me
so bright, so clear
so uncomplicated

There is darkness
and sometimes
no moon at all
but he will come out
when I least expect

In this night
the moon looked down
upon my weary head
so bright, so clear
so uncomplicated

Wishing me
Goodnight


This is a piece that I began conceptualizing when I went to the Odyssey calligraphy conference in Boston at the end of July.  I had won a scholarship to attend and I had the most amazing experience.  The people I met and the beautiful setting at Stonehill College was the perfect platform to be truly inspired.  This piece is the most precious and personal thing that I have ever done, because it is for myself.  It explores anxiety, insecurity and self awareness.  It was lettered with Sumi ink on handmade paper using a hand cut quill.  I have to say, it was an extremely difficult piece to letter (because of the texture of the paper) so I needed to rub the surface with pumice.  I think it ended up adding a dreamy quality to the piece.

It was difficult to come back home.  Back to work, to envelopes, to the heat.  August has been a terribly hot and draining month so far.  I will try to post more calligraphy work soon.