Well, we are home after a full, busy and fun day in Brisbane working with the Gold Coast Calligraphers, taking calligraphy "off the page..."
The group were fabulous and got into the groove and all had a play. No one was concerned to do it 'right' or 'perfect' - everyone just wanted to try the various tools and techniques, make notes and discover what could be done.
Some people felt that leather was the future for them; others were totally besotted by the marks and patterns they could make with Perspex; some enjoyed the pebbles so much; other folk discovered shim and could see 100s of ways of using it; some people could see the potential in metal stamping for jewellery; and others found the bending of wire words quirky and fun.
All in all we had a good time together - Barry was an enormous help with loading, unloading, organising the space and helping folk out with technical things.
I have included a lot of shots so you can get a feel for the playfulness and experimentation that went on. I think the next step seems to be a chance to put it into practice one way or another and create a piece using one or more of the techniques - now that sounds like it could be good fun too!
I have not credited the calligraphers' work you see - nor named names; but I hope you enjoy. I have to say some of the shots are a cornucopia of delights - all those little bibs and bobs the calligraphers use - so enticing!
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| ©2011 Fiona Dempster - Off the page workshop, words in wire |
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| ©2011 Fiona Dempster - Off the page workshop |
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| ©2011 Fiona Dempster - Off the page workshop, group at work |
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| ©2011 Fiona Dempster - Off the page workshop |
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| ©2011 Fiona Dempster - Off the page workshop |
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| ©2011 Fiona Dempster - Off the page workshop |
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| ©2011 Fiona Dempster - Off the page workshop |
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| ©2011 Fiona Dempster - Off the page workshop |
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| ©2011 Fiona Dempster - Off the page workshop |
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| ©2011 Fiona Dempster - Off the page workshop, the group gathered to listen! |
In closing - a big thank you as well to the GCCS for inviting me to teach, welcoming both Barry and I and for being so willing to explore, experiment and play.
Wow! The workshop looks like it was a blast! Love the calligraphy on stones. Shame we're so far apart cause I'd love to take your next workshop.
ReplyDeleteThanks for a wonderful day Fiona and Barry!
ReplyDeleteit WAS fun! so many wonderful surfaces to place thoughts, words, ideas.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great time was had by all. Well done Fiona and Barry! Lots of interesting things happening there.
ReplyDeletegreat shots - from what I'm sure was a great time for everyone....
ReplyDeleteLooks like great fun and such interesting things to try out. Just seeing the dremel engraving on perspex makes me want to have a go. And of course on rusty stuff - I've promised myself I'll be doing that when I get home.
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer - it was fun and yes, it's tricky sometimes how the web brings you closer, and then leaves you frustrated that it wasn't actually physically closer to folk!
ReplyDeleteBarbara - thanks for dropping by here and for participating in the workshop; we had a lovely drive home going over what fun it was and how folk liked the different bits. Hope to see you again soon.
Velma - I learnt so much too - got some great ideas, new ways of doing things, experiments I hadn't thought of - great fun!
Jo - yes there was stuff happening in every direction; on every surface...
Ronnie - I love some of the random clutter shots - gives you a real feel for the place.
Carol - oh yes, dremelling into perspex so many things I have been thinking of since yesterday! My mind is in overdrive. And the rust too - you will have so much fun once BAO is out of the way and you can get stuck into your rust pile! Lovely to hear from you again. F
I'm sure it was great time for everyone!! Wish I could have been part of it...looks like so much fun!
ReplyDeleteF- thanks for your words of recognition but really the day was down to you - well done - the gang who were there had a ball - it was like "test and play with stuff and enjoy creating 404". B
ReplyDeleteThe spirit of play is alive and well in this workshop, Fiona! Glad you and the group enjoyed it so much - I hope good things come of it for one and all!
ReplyDeletePatti - it would be fun to arrange an international play day somehow sometime wouldn't it???
ReplyDeleteThanks B - we're a team and we do best when the other supports, so thank you.
G/Tt - yes we need more play and fun! I have so many things I want to play with now - must find the time!