Saturday, July 5, 2014

Learning and learning...


I have spent the past five days at a workshop, with French calligrapher Laurent Pflughaupt. I really like Laurent's expressive work and his sense of design and composition.

It wasn't all that easy for me to do all the things he asked of us, but I still feel as if I have come away with a few gems and a bit more confidence to push some ideas along.

This is the entrance to our workshop room - beautiful lettering and an image of Laurent's work.


Some play with techniques and letter forms.






As ever, amongst a group of highly qualified , skilled and talented calligraphers I know myself not to be true calligrapher. I'm not precise or perfect enough, but I do use letters and words to express things.

I was happily surprised with where I got to with this piece. It started off in one direction and a bit washed out.


It ended upside down and far richer and stronger.



A detail of another piece I almost finished.


The theme was urban transformation and involved bold and vigorous marks and strokes and colours. Almost the opposite of my natural way of being, so there were lots of obstacles to overcome! 

The challenge is now to apply some of these learnings; adapt them, and make them my own. Should be a fascinating journey...

17 comments:

  1. I feel your work, Fiona. You can certainly be proud of these pieces.

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    1. Thank you Robyn - there is a lot going on in some of these which is most unlike me; but I am happy with the things I learned! Go well.

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  2. Your work has a super dynamic graffiti quality Fiona.

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    1. Thanks Gina - some examples of graffiti were part of the class and it definitely influenced me I think.

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  3. You speak for yourself Fiona, but I think you're one of the best calligraphers I know!! I love these images, especially that one with the flash of red. How I wish I'd been a fly on the wall in the workshop to see how that was achieved. It's all so gorgeous. Beautiful , strong and then watery, ethereal marks etc. Just yummy.

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    1. You are too kind Lesley, but thank you anyway! It was a lot of fun and not very structured so we all got to experiment and play a lot. Which can be a fine way to learn. It's fun to discover what you didn't know you had in you, so to speak....

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  4. love, love, love…. jealous of your 5 days, lol…. did i say i loved what you turned out!?

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    1. Ah Suzi - you would have taken to this like a duck to water! I made the same mistakes time and time again; and then a few things clicked and became solid. The joy of 2 or 3 consecutive days to reinforce things...

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  5. ooo lucky you! (I assume that the workshop you speak of was part of SSiW? I sent in my application to go, but then had to withdraw -- that diagnosis of T1D in the boy child turned all things topsy turvy!)

    ooo I hope you share more from your workshop - this looks delightful!

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    1. I'm sorry life intervened as it did Ronnie, it would have been fab to have you there. You would have just soared with some of these guys I am sure! I fiddled and faded, but had a lot of fun. Shall definitely share more - my last piece is coming along quite OK, whilst another is trying to move thru the irredeemable phase...

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  6. Wonderful, great works, Fiona. Congratulations!

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  7. Hello Fiona,

    It is good to see a little comfort zone jiggling going on but your prices and subsequent outcomes are a testament to that slight uncomfortable feeling. Amazing outcomes, well done you.

    x g

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    1. Thank you for your very kind words Gemma - you can imagine how far out of the comfort zone this was! Still, when you have nothing to lose you just get in and have a go don't you? A couple of things clicked by day 5 - hopefully I can hang onto them! Go well.

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  8. Look at you - some REALLY lovely work, or beginnings thereof coming from this week's exploration. Can't wait to see x

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    1. I know Susan - look at me! Who'd have thunk it hey? You will enjoy going thru my test pages and practice pieces for sure; lots of interesting things happening with lots of potential. Fun!

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  9. Thanks Mo - a bit out there, but beginning to be something...

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I appreciate your thoughts and comments; thanks for taking the time.