Love Letters

Thank you, Seth!

My dear friend, Seth has outdone himself. Seth has been busy putting together another edition of

Here is Seth's description of his project:
"Welcome to the third edition of The Pulse: an artist survey. This collaborative project aims to introduce you to new artists, help you get to know familiar faces even more, and allow you access into the creative hearts and minds of a very talented crew of individuals." This from a very talented individual who is generous of heart; desiring to showcase others' work, ideas, and philosophies on his blog. Seth is one cool guy, and I am truly honored to be a part of this current project of his. Thank you, Seth! I really appreciate your effort and your vision. xoxo

Check this out!

If you are at all interested in learning Photoshop, or if you work in Photoshop already and just want a laugh... if you like to be entertained, can laugh at sarcasm, & don't mind a little colorful language, you'll enjoy the very informative and entertaining video tutorials done by

Donnie Hoyle Please note: I have tried every way I know to get this video image to center on the page... it does it in the preview, but not in the saved screen version. Go figure!

This is a hoot and also informative at the same time...
definitely worth taking a look at!

sorry if this is boring...

Tonight I practiced the alphabet... and I practiced writing my name. Just like a little kid in third grade, but hey, that't the only way I'm ever going to get better, right?!? Perhaps tomorrow I'll take more time and add some color and jazz up my boring alphabet practice, but for right now, it's time to say goodnight.

Before I go, I need to post a link to a calligrapher named Claudio Gil. His work is featured in the book 1000 Artist Journal Pages, by Dawn DeVries Sokol. Thanks, Seth for the great link!

BTW, while we're on the subject of letters, check out Type is Art. This is an interactive site where you can alter the parts of a character (letter)... the poster is shown above, and there are t-shirts being made with the results of this exercise, totes, cards, you name it. TypeisArt was created by Silo Design, a Brooklyn-based firm run by a husband and wife team. Designer Susanne Cerha created the lovely archival poster design shown above, illustrating the Parts of the Character— arm, ascender, bowl, serif, shoulder, etc, etc. Her friend Jose Rodriguez took the idea one step further, bringing the activity to the masses with a Flash website. It's a great way to burn up some time, and it's informative and instructive at the same time! I bought the poster and had it framed... it is beautiful.

Now I am off to bed... 'night!

How cool is that?!?

I just happened to be out shopping the other day and I stumbled onto these very cool Gummi Letters!!! Now seriously, to quote my friend Michelle Ward, "How cool is that?!?!? I had to do a little improvising to make a couple of the letters, as the box of gummi letters was not quite complete (they came that way, honest... I didn't eat any of them until I'd scanned them, honestly!!!) Anyway, just thought they might make you smile a bit, just like they've made me smile... who'd have thunk it?!? Gummi letters... what will they think of next?!?

Gummi letters, Yummi letters!!!

Getting closer!

This is the date I wrote out, obviously done yesterday... and this is more like the style of "Gestural Writing" we learned in class at the Calligraphy Conference. Nothing special, just a practice piece done on a scrap of painted Tyvek I had laying around. I am committed to becoming a better calligrapher and artist, so I have been practicing every day for at least 45 minutes... I figure it is the least I can do after making such an investment in my craft, especially if I want to go to the Calligraphy Conference next year, right?!?

This is my new niece's name calligraphed with a folded pen and Sumi ink. Again, not perfect, but its getting closer! I've had real issues in the past with staying focused and committed to one thing, be it piano, photography, jewelry making (glass bead making, especially), knitting, sewing, digital collage, calligraphy... you name it. Sort of like a two year old seeing a room full of shiny objects... "Oh, look at that! OH! Look over there!!! OH WOW, come see this!"... likely you know the story, especially if you're predominantly right brained. But other creatives are able to discipline themselves, so I figure I can too, especially now that I have more time to myself, to indulge in the pursuits that bring me joy.

So tell me, what brings you joy? Why don't you go make something and share the fruits of your labor with us?!?