We tried something new with this calligraphy day camp in Vancouver – we met on 2 Saturdays, 2 weeks apart so that everyone could have time to let all the forms percolate and settle a bit. Turns out, it was a good idea because not only did the camp sell out, but the work that emerged from it was wonderful.
Martin Jackson was informative and entertaining and we were all quite enamoured of him by the end of day one (by day two, we all wanted him to adopt us). Laura assisted him with fine tuning the various forms and showed people how to flourish and flourish even more.
We explored the italic hand and blackletter and combinations of the two. We even had the world’s hippest light table with the Fluevog studio windows overlooking the train yard!
We tried out the variety of writing instruments that Martin provided, from brass nibs to our own reed pens. Many discovered their own style, including a ‘llama hair stroke’ (!) with these new experimental tools. Kayla English wrote about her experiences here. It’s really all about letting go of that fear of making a mark. Once that happens, you relax a bit and allow the tool to do its own magic.
Thanks again to the wonderful folks at Fluevog Gastown and all of the wonderful participants: Sasan, Bryon, Danica, Theresa, Christina Lo, Christina La, Katie, Natalie, Carmen, Michelle, Kate, Kayla, Erica-May, Lumi, Jen, Jeff, & Kristin!
