Monday, July 27, 2009

In another life.....

Well, it seems like another life!
Many years ago I used to do Calligraphy and paint a lot. It was something I really enjoyed when I had the time to do it. Since having the boys and needing the space for their bedroom and sharing the only "spare" space I have, for my sewing, with hubs, all of my paints and calligraphy stuff have been packed away....hopefully to be seen again when we move - Yeah!
Anyway, whilst packing a few things up this morning I took this picture down to dust and clean the walls, and I thought you may like to see another side of me. (not just the sewing!)
I learnt the basics of Calligraphy in Grade 6 from Mrs. Wells. She was a real DRAGON and everyone didn't like her, but when she began to teach us "The Art of Calligraphy" I fell in love!
Since then, I continued to teach myself and develop my hand.
I love Celtic Calligraphy and have many books with patterns in them.
The verse that is written on this work is called "The Scribe" from "A little book of Celtic Verses" by WA Ross, which was written in medieval times by a monk.
I love the way the bits of gold leaf shine.
I designed the scrolling pattern of writing in the middle starting on the outside to end in the middle. It took quite a few goes to get it right on a template before doing it for "real".
This was my second attempt at this particular pattern. When I went to have the first one framed, the framers ruined it by putting a crease in it! Can you imagine how furious I was?
"The Scribe"
For weariness my hand writes ill,
My small sharp quill runs rough and slow;
Its slender beak with failing craft
Gives forth its draught of dark-blue flow.


And yet God's blessed wisdom gleams
And streams beneath my fair brown palm,
As the quick jets of holly ink
The letters link of prayer or psalm.


So still my dripping pen I take
And make my mark on parchment white,
Unceasing, at some rich man's call,
Till wearied all am I tonight.



What did you do in another life?
Kathryn. XX

18 comments:

{oc cottage} said...

That is sooooo awesome! I adore it...
I am the "calligrapher" in my family...I get to do all the Christmas cards and invites... but your work is amazing! I LOVE all the Illuminated writings...as an Irish girl all that stuff really speaks to me! WOW!

m ^..^

Unknown said...

That is AMAZING work! I can understand why you were so mad at the framer. I'll refrain from my framer story because I don't feel like getting in a bad mood the rest of the evening, LOL!

It's beautiful work! You are incredibly talented!
I love calligraphy. I used to babysit for an art professor who worked at the local university! I would trade calligraphy lessons for babysitting! LOL! We only got through italics.

marie said...

You have so many wonderful gifts Kathryn! This piece is simply beautiful. I love the colors in it so much and your calligraphy is incredible!

One thing I used to do when my daughters were little was make doll clothes. I loved creating little outfits for their dolls. I still remember the dolls names ~ Kimberly and Jenny. Maybe someday I'll get a chance to make more clothes when Charlotte and Penelope have dolls (or when they play with Kimberly and Jenny because we still have them).

Kelly Casanova said...

Its a beautiful art, your celtic verse is lovely.
I have a number of "former lives", but in one of them I was a singer in a cover duo, we used to play all around Melbourne.
I also used to paint quite a bit (acrylics and watercolour), but like you, have mostly set that aside after children. I'll get back to it one day, but I'm pretty happy with my other crafts for now.

A Bite of Country Cupcakes said...

Beautiful Kathryn!
What did I do in another Life???
SLEPT in!
Ate a meal uninterrupted!
Drank a cup of coffee whilst hot!
And Actually I even used to watch tv!
This 'other" life was before Kids!! lol!
Seems like a lifetime ago and I do not wish it back....
Well mabey just the sleep in's!

Sal said...

It's beautiful.
I'd love to do calligraphy! The Celtic designs are lovely too!
;-)

Unknown said...

Kathryn that is really amazing , such beautiful work !

Alison Gibbs said...

Kathryn beautiful work.
What did I do in another life???
It has been so long ago I think I have forgotten the 'real me'
Alison

The Pink Poodle said...

dear Kathryn...I LOVE calligraphy...

my writing/printing looks like some egyptian un readable garbage from the dark ages!!
(when at uni..had to write really fast re notes etc. NO computers/internet back then!!..I had shorthand skills from school..so I still write in shorthand...garbage rubbish...which only I can understand)!!!
YOU are a totally awesome ALL ROUND CRAFTY woman!!

clever girl you...

xx andrea

Annie said...

Shabby, that is FANTASTIC!! I love calligraphy too - I had a dabble once, but never to that Shabby standard!! I used to do a fair bit of cross stitch in another life. Finished my strip too!

Kerryanne @ Shabby Art Boutique said...

As a fellow calligrapher, I think this piece is stunning. Calligraphy truly is a beautiful art form and one I hope you can indulge in again one day. Perhaps there will be a special room with your name on it in the new house?
Hugs ~ Kerryanne

Julia said...

Beeeeauuuuutiful!! I hope that some of my students took away something from me that will last into their adulthood. My 6th grade teacher taught us to cut letters out of squares of paper. I don't do it exactly like she showed us, but I still cut out letters, pictures, silhouettes, etc.... She scared me to death! I don't think I was a scary teacher, though, so I may not have gotten as much ascross.

Mrs Crafty said...

Mrs Wells taught you very well. I, too have a pen but am scared to use it.

Anonymous said...

Hi Kathryn,
You really are a lady of many talents! Your celtic scribe is really beautiful. You must have the patients of a saint to do work like that!
In my 'other' life, I used to ride horses & show them at top level competitions....so long ago now, pictures, ribbon & trophies & memories are all that remain now.
Ahhh such is life.
~S~

Vintage Garden said...

BEAUTIFUL work Kathryn. You certainly have an eye for detail- I can't imagine how long that must have taken to complete. I bet you could have almost strangled that framer!!!!!
Sue
xo

Anonymous said...

Such museum quality work... It is beautiful!!
Love,
Marilyn

Purple Pam said...

Your Celtic piece is beautiful. I did caligraphy once. I liked it, but did not pursue it. Oil painting was my passion years ago. I still have lots of paintings of mine and my mother's around the house. Tole painting was fun, too.

Sonya said...

Kathryn,
This work is truly beautiful. You have my admiration.
~Sonya (Sago)