Rinka Ronka Reprise

Goauche, gold leaf, Spectralite, Finetec, ink, colored pencils
and crystals on Bristol board

It's auction season again and I was asked to donate a piece to the school where I worked for 25 years, until I 'retired' last June. If you follow this blog you may remember that last year, the curse was broken and not only did my three little pieces raise some serious money, there were people who were willing to match the highest bids so I did two more. This one is essentially the same design as last year, with different colors.

This is the song the children (and their parents!) sing each morning as they file into the classroom. A choir of angels!

Sweet Music

Quote by Stephen Sondheim, Artwork by Jody Meese
Gouache, Spectralite, gold leaf, colored pencils, "jewels", Pitt marker

 These little 5"X5" illuminated pieces (8"X8" framed) are so much fun to do, and perfect items for charity auctions. This one was for the Marin Girls' Chorus. My daughter, a former chorus member, sits on the Board.

Lucky for me, I had help with gilding from visiting calligraphy royalty, Harvest Crittenden! She also offered valuable critique and encouragement.

The mat is some marbled paper I picked up in town...after this photo was taken, I used a ruling pen to add a gold line about 1/4" from the inner edge.

Always fun to contribute to a worthy cause with something I enjoy creating!

Beginning Copperplate Class starts October 10!

Me with my piece exhibited at Kalligraphia in the SF Public Library

Whew! It's been a whirlwind few months, and I'll be posting a little retrospective soon, but wanted to give a shout out to anyone in the Bay Area who is interested in learning Copperplate (pointed pen) calligraphy! I'll be teaching a series of four classes in Marin, currently scheduled for October 10, October 17, October 31 and November 14 from 12:30 to 2:30 each day. For info and registration, go to http://www.meetup.com/Mill-Valley-Calligraphy-Meetup/. Hope to see you there!

It's a Wrap

Cavallini & Co. images

Perhaps, like me, you are a fan of Cavallini & Co.'s vintage image calendars. And if so, perhaps, also like me, you cannot bear to throw them away. So there they sit in the studio, more years' worth than I care to count, trimmed and neatly stacked...

Enter four certificates created for much-appreciated volunteers at my school (sorry, can't reveal them here in the unlikely event the recipients follow my blog). I always hesitate to frame things for other people, not wanting to assume that the piece will live on display rather than tucked in a safe place and taken out occasionally to enjoy. But how to present in a decorative fashion?

Inspiration, fortunately, struck: I took a calendar page, cut a piece of vintage Fabriano colored paper the same size and lay it in as a liner (Canson Mi-Teintes would work well, too), set the certificate in the middle and folded the calendar and the liner squarely. A strip of the same paper was used to made the band, and fastened with fragrant Atelier Gargoyle sealing wax. (I'm a little out of practice with the creme brûlée torch, but it got the job done.)

Cavallini & Co. images

Cavallini & Co. images

Cavallini & Co. images

Cavallini & Co. images

Forgot to photograph the backs, but the calendar grid itself is visible, and a little more of the image.

This isn't the first time I've upcycled these gorgeous images; here's a link to my post on some more complex stationery portfolios. Enjoy!

The Glad Young Year

A very happy 2015 to all!

Carols on the Cul-de-Sac

SF Conservatory French horn students and their professors serenade the neighborhood. Magical!

Oysters!

Chalkboard fun for friends who set up an oyster bar at wineries and concert venues! This is done with Zig Posterman marker.

Call & Response

16" X 20"

Playing around with chalk on black paper, vintage style with Sickels lettering. The dry run:

And got to use my section liner!

The (Second Half of the) Year in Pictures

Some of my designs for Ultimat Vodka Holiday Campaign

One of five San Francisco venues for Ultimat events in November/December

Very special commission

Commission: walnut ink, watercolor and Finetec gold

Zig Posterman pen on chalkboard fabric

Chalk on display board

Tooled gold leaf

JJ Monogram, pen and ink

JLM monogram, pen and ink

CMS monogram, pencil sketch

Gouache, gold leaf, ink on hotpress watercolor

Piece done in Risa Gettler's Visigothic Versals class; ink,
watercolor pencil,  Finetec gold

Twelve for '13

Longest name I've inscribed on a diploma, or maybe on anything!

Here is this year's edition of the Marin Waldorf diploma, for which I created and printed the outline, then taught the class parents to paint with gouache and tool the gold. Each year's is a unique design.

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes

Just when I think I've seen it all...along comes a client who wants to present cutting boards and cheese stones to winners of a local tennis tournament! Four. Of each.

After practicing on scrap wood, I did the lettering on paper, then transferred it in chalk before taking the woodburning tool to it.

The first pass was a little funky. Although I had sanded and steel-wooled the area lightly, there was still some kind of wax or oil on the surface.

 After sanding and steel-wooling again, a second pass gave a little more definition.

The cheese stones were a little easier--and more forgiving. Slate is so soft I could just scratch off any errant blobs of paint and after wiping with a damp paper towel, it didn't show at all. Since the surface was rather uneven, I stuck with monoline and used a new-to-me Montana Acrylic marker (refillable!) with an extra-fine tip.

Certainly not perfect, but way more useful than trophies!

Age as Art

A little commission for a fiftieth birthday card: Youth is the gift of nature, but age is a work of art. ~ Stanislaw Lec. 

I need to have this etched on my bathroom mirror!

Belated Bunnies

Easter was weeks ago but I'm just getting around to sorting out photos. My dear friend Kathleen sets a beautiful table for every holiday, and since I'm not much of a cook, my contribution is always place cards. I fell in love with these and the tutorial, with template, here.

I used carnations for the tails (so sweet smelling!) but roses would be cute too.

The stem on the back side holds the bunny upright. They were a big hit!