Since 1995 I have been teaching workshops for calligraphy guilds and at conferences throughout the United States and Canada. I have developed a wide variety of topics that I have presented to groups ranging from beginners to professionals.
In a workshop you can escape from your daily routine and focus exclusively on your own creative process. I consider myself a workshop junkie, and have had some on the best experiences of my life in workshops. It is my hope that each participant will have an “ah-ha” moment during class and come away with new knowledge and inspiration.
I am currently offering the following workshops. Topics can be tailored to fit the needs of individual groups.
Although many of the workshops listed here focus on calligraphy, I have also taught classes that are geared to visual artists in general at mixed media conferences around the country. Please inquire about your special interests.
black magic
Drama, mystery, excitement — all of these effects can be achieved using black paper to letter on. The class will begin by exploring the way black paper affects the color wheel. Using gouache, students will mix a full spectrum of colors, and 12 shades of gray, always keeping in mind that these colors can be used for lettering. Ruling lines, erasing lines and other tips on how to use black paper for a finished piece will be covered. Colored pencils, bleach, pearl-ex, and other experimental media will be explored. At the end of class, students will compile a booklet of their samples for future reference, as well as a finished calligraphic piece.
uppercase immersion
Roman capitals, the gold standard of lettering, can be intimidating and difficult to produce. This class will help you unlock the potential power and versatility of these sensuous letterforms. The class will begin by analyzing the structure of traditional Roman capitals with pencil, in order to see them as abstract shapes, not as symbols for language. Progress on to using broad edge pen, with both pen pressure and pen manipulation, to create beautiful Romans with and without serifs. Special emphasis will be given to terminals, interlinear spacing for texture, and creativity in layouts using capital letters.
beyond bookhand
Focus your concentration on this elegant and useful hand. The class begins with a review of foundational to insure each student’s proficiency. Then, experiments with variations in both form and size will reveal the creative possibilities of this adaptable hand. Ultimately, students will learn to write with a small nib to create tiny lettering suitable for a small book.
color my work
Color can set the tone of a work from across a room before the first words of the text are read by the viewer. This workshop has two goals: to give calligraphers a complete understanding of color theory and to inspire them to use color creatively in their work. It is for the calligrapher who feels confused about how color theory works. Basic color theory will be covered through controlled exercises in mixing colors of gouache. Students will explore various color combinations keeping in mind appropriate calligraphic applications. Attention will be given to exploring how different colors appear on different colors of paper, as well as in different kinds of light. In-class projects include designing a color wheel and reference chart, working with colored writing fluids, colored papers, and creating a color journal.
x-treme gilding
Using stamps, hot glue and other adhesives, find new ways to apply gold foil for stunning effects on cards and art work. This highly experimental class will cover innovative techniques for applying metal to paper. Some media include acrylic gel medium, PVA glue, acrylic gloss medium, and lots of new ideas to try. Participants will use a wide range of papers, including dark papers, to maximize contrast. Students will complete a sample book of all the techniques tried in class.
black and white
Spacing can be one of the most challenging and overlooked concepts in calligraphy. The main focus of this class will be to explore the spaces inside and around letters (counter-spaces) and their relationships to each other in a composition. Positive and negative space will also be analyzed. A secondary aspect of this class is to use only black and white to explore the possibilities of lettering on black paper with different kinds of white.
neuland with the parallel pen
Discover the bold simplicity of this style designed by Rudolf Koch after WWI. Two characteristics unique to the parallel pen make it an ideal tool for this hand: the ease of pen manipulation and its ability to create thin lines using the corner of the nib. Both a stroked and drawn version of Neuland will be covered in class exercises. In addition, the class includes instruction and practice on using gouache and other media in the pen’s barrel, instead of cartridge ink.
painting with pearl-ex
The goal of this workshop is to explore the incredibly versatile medium of mica powders, specifically Pearl-ex. The student will learn to use a variety of applications on a broad range of supports. The class will cover lettering with pearl-ex, painting techniques, and stamping techniques using a watermark pad. Other uses including paste-paper, polymer clay stamping, and faux gilding will be explored. Special emphasis will be placed on choosing compatible paper types for both lettering and painting.
alphabet soup
Lettering for Journals and Scrapbooks.
Drama, mystery, excitement — all of these effects can be achieved using black paper to letter on. The class will begin by exploring the way black paper affects the color wheel. Using gouache, students will mix a full spectrum of colors, and 12 shades of gray, always keeping in mind that these colors can be used for lettering. Ruling lines, erasing lines and other tips on how to use black paper for a finished piece will be covered. Colored pencils, bleach, pearl-ex, and other experimental media will be explored. At the end of class, students will compile a booklet of their samples for future reference, as well as a finished calligraphic piece.
transfer techniques
Add greater dimension to your art by learning this versatile technique. Transfers can be made using acrylic medium, acetone, ink jet transparencies, packing tape, even gin! This workshop will cover these techniques and more, including transferring onto fabric, tumbled marble tile and paper.
calligraphy on canvas
Discover the creative possibilities of lettering on canvas. In this class students will use various acrylic media to create subtle backgrounds for their lettering. Composition and design principles will be covered, before any lettering begins. Also, using ink jet transparency transfers to add imagery to your piece. Students will learn how to use both brushes and metal nibs for calligraphy on canvas. The final result will have depth and texture
The Painted Page – a handmade journal
This class will explore techniques to create vibrant backgrounds for your journal pages, including paste paper, acrylic paint, watercolor pencils and black sumi ink. These lively and exciting backgrounds will serve as the base for calligraphic expression and experimentation. We will bind two journals with the coptic stitch, so that they will lay flat when open. Lettering will be done before and after binding, allowing for maximum creativity and flexibility. In class discussions about color theory, design, layering and texture will gently guide each student’s creative process. The finished journals can be an ongoing project once the class is over.
Teaching Experience
Island Magic 2007 International Calligraphy Conference
Artiscape 2007 Ohio
Calligraphy Guild of Rochester
Art Unraveled, Phoenix, 2006
Art Unraveled, Phoenix, 2005
Cream City Calligraphers, Milwaukee
Memphis Calligraphy Guild
Memphis College of Art
Little Rock Calligraphers’ Guild
SummitScribes, Colorado Springs,
New Orleans Lettering Arts Assoc.
Associate Professor, Visible School of Worship Arts, Memphis
