making it yours: copying a manuscript alphabet - The Colleagues of ...

In This Issue
February Meeting: Jean Formo Cover
Calendar 2
Workshops/Exhibit Opportunities 2
President’s Message 2
March Meeting 3
2009 Calligraphy Connection 3
The Cat 5
The Perfect Answer 6
From the Archives 6
Over Coffee 7
Additions and Corrections 7
Demo Corner/Meet the Mentor Back
February 2008
Colleagues of Calligraphy
Minneapolis/St. Paul . Minnesota
JEAN FORMO
MAKING IT YOURS: COPYING A MANUSCRIPT ALPHABET
A hands-on instructional program presented by Jean Formo
Get in touch with your “inner scribe”
in this hands-on rendezvous with the
history of letterforms! Let your pen
dance to the steady rhythm of the
medieval scriptorium as you take a new
look at some of the classic forms on
which we base modern-day calligraphic
letters. The scribes of old are gone now,
but, their letters remain as guides and
teachers for us! Learn how to work
with a manuscript alphabet by looking,
drawing, analyzing, and finally
reproducing them with your own pen.
This could very well mean an increase
in your own menu of calligraphic
styles! Lots of handouts
and a step-by-step method
will pave the way for even
more manuscript alphabet
adventures at home!
Supplies to bring: 3 mm or Speedball C-2 pen
(NO markers, please!), black ink like Higgins Eternal,
small loading brush, slant board, ruler or T-square,
protractor, pencil and sharpener, layout paper like
Borden and Riley #37.

Unless otherwise noted,
all meetings will be at
Plymouth Congregational Church,
1900 Nicollet Avenue South,
Minneapolis.
Bus Routes: Nicollet/Franklin
2008
Doors open at 12:30—Come early to
observe lettering demonstrations,
meet the mentor, and browse exhibits.
February 16—Making It Yours: Copying
a Manuscript Alphabet with Jean Formo
A hands-on instructional meeting!
Treats: Mary Oxborough and Layce
Parkinson
March 15—Mini Workshops—See
pages 3 and 4 for descriptions. Send
the registration form today!
April 11—Hands-on Program with
Martha Erickson
April 12 and 13 - Linoleum Block
Illustration for Calligraphers Workshop
with Martha Erickson
May 10—TBD
WANTED
Emily Cooper will be completing
her three year term as treasurer this
year. This is one of those positions that
is a must fill, so we are starting early to
look for candidates for the May election.
The treasurer deposits income, writes
checks for expenses, prepares the
budget, submits income/expence
reports to the board, completes a few
(3-6) IRS 1099's income statements in
January mostly for instructors, and
once a year sends all the information
to our tax preparer. Being familier with
Excel and/or Quicken would be helpful
but not necessary. Please contact Gary
Feyen or Emily Cooper if you are
interested or have questions.
March—Mini Workshops
April—Martha Erickson Workshop
EXHIBIT Opportunities
Get involved as an exhibitor - or
enjoy the work of others! Thanks to
Judy Dodds for sharing this information!
Woodbury Lutheran Church—
Receive entries Feb. 15, 3-5 PM and
Feb 16, 9-noon. $10 per piece nonrefundable
entry fee; all pieces must be
original, have a Christian theme and of
any artistic media. Entry forms @
www.woodburylutheran.org .
Arts at the Oval—Apply for this festival
of fine arts and fine crafts. Juried show.
Open to public with no admission
charge. Application deadline Feb. 8,
2008. Notice of acceptance, Feb. 15,
2008. Additional information, email to
recreation@ci.roseviille.mn.us or call
651-792-7106.
10th Annual Community Art Show—
Undercroft Gallery, in the St. Matthew's
Episcopal Church, St. Anthony Park,
MN. Bring to gallery on either Monday,
Feb 18, 9am - 1pm or Tuesday, Feb. 19,
4-7 pm. Contact Patricia Owen,
patrowen@gmail.com, 651-488-2150
for more information.
7th Annual Art Exhibition from
March 14-23, 2008. Theme—Beautifully
Mundane. Entries accepted at Central
Baptist Church (420 Roy Street North,
St Paul, MN 55104, 651 646 2751) on
Friday Mar 7, 4-8 pm and Saturday
Mar 8, 9 am - 1 pm. Juried show and
cash awards. Include an artist's statement
for each piece entered. No entry fee.
Opening Friday March 14. More info at
website www.centralbaptistchurch.com.
Hello Fellow Colleagues,
One of the items that came across
my desk this month as an agenda item for
the January Board Meeting was the Signet
Committee Report. It was an extensive 46
pages, representing a lot of work and
insight by the committee members.
Of special interest to me was the
comment that the Board minutes and
a Treasurer’s report should be included
in the Signet. I’ll share some thoughts
here, and invite you to let any Board
member hear ideas and comments
from you!
One reason these reports have not
been in the Signet in the recent past is
simply space—would two pages of
Board minutes or several pages of
financial information be space well
used to keep members informed? Or
is that space better used for workshop
reviews, meeting news, schedules,
calligraphic tips, member pictures,
artwork done by members . . . ?
Another consideration is that the
Signet goes to people and organizations
that are not members and some of the
information is for our members only.
This will be discussed at the January
board meeting, with follow-up in a
future President’s Letter.
Other topics discussed in Board
meetings include a variety of things
both mundane and exciting—the logo
for the Calligraphy Connection,
program suggestions, membership
notes, the budget, workshops, and so
much more.
We will figure out how to do a better
job of keeping the membership informed
of what the Board is working every month.
May all your letters be your best
and getting better!
Signet is a publication of the Colleagues of Calligraphy. Submission deadlines are 30 days prior to the next monthly meeting. The editor is responsible for
final decision on content. Mail submissions to Signet Editor, Ardie Gallant, 1826 Johnson Street N.E., Minneapolis, MN 55418 or ardie@ardieandfriends.com.
Information and products mentioned in articles do not imply endorsement by the COC or BOD. Copyright 2008 by the Colleagues of Calligraphy. No portion of the
Signet may be reproduced without the written permission of the COC. For membership, see www.colleaguesofcalligraphy.com or call Joann Schulte at
651-698-5854. For more information, write COC, P.O. Box 4024, St. Paul, MN 55104.
2
Signet February 2008

FEBRUARY
Jean Formo, who always has a wealth of information to share and presents in
interesting and captivating ways, is our February meeting presentor. The details of
our “hands-on”meeting are on the front cover. Don’t miss the list of supplies that
will help you to take full advantage of all she has to offer! See you there!
Soon!
June 20 - 27, 2009
MARCH
The ever popular March meeting is our Mini Workshops, an annual fundraising
event that pairs teachers from our own organization with Collegues’members and
friends who gain valuable lessons from a variety of class choices. It is the perfect
time to invite others for an afternoon of fun educaton.
This year’s five choices are broad and intriguing—you may have a hard time
choosing which one to take! When you do, fill out and mail in the attached
registration form and mail it. These classes are first come until filled, so don’t dally!
Black Doesn’t Have
to Be Boring!
Barb Makela
Come and play! Using the friendly, chunky
and sometimes funky Neuland alphabet,
we’ll use a variety of provided mediums such
as bleach, pastels and gold to put color and
spunk into our work on black Arches cover
paper. An exemplar of the Neuland will be
sent in advance so you can become familiar
with it.
Supplies: Practice paper for reviewing the alphabet, black Sumi ink if you have it,
x-acto knife, #2 pencil, eraser, any automatic pens you have, or ruling pen or large
broad edge nibs and holder, paper towels, water container, ruler, Pigma Micron
.005 or .01 black pen if you have one, scissors. Apron or paint shirt.
Supply Fee $ 3.50 – 4.00, payable to teacher.
By the time you receive this
issue you should have received,
digested, and be already working
on your ideas for the updating of
the Calligraphy Connection logo!
Here’s the simple version of
the Call for Entries just in case
you missed it. For all the details
go to colleaguesofcalligraphy.com
—there’s a clear link on the
home page.
CALL FOR ENTRIES
Calligraphy Connection
Logo Update
◆ The icon does not change.
The title and tag line are to
be updated.
◆ Hand-lettering only, no fonts.
◆ Clean black on white artwork.
◆ Any paid-up or honorary
COC member may submit
any number of entries.
◆ Deadline: March 1, 2008.
◆ Final decision by combined
COC Board and Steering
Committee. Artist’s name
will not appear on designs
during choice.
INTERESTED? Everything
you need to know—all the
instructions and details—are at
colleaguesofcalligraphy.com.
Until next time,
Lynn Ohlhorst
Director .Exhibits .Volunteers
Phyllis Stratman . Treasurer . Registrar
Barb Makela . Faculty . Programs/Events
Ardie Gallant . Communications . PR
Use first name with
@2009calligraphyconference.com
to contact any of us.
Continued on page 4
Signet February 2008 3

MARCH MEETING Continued from page 3
Insular Minuscules
Kris MacDonald
What is that lettering running between the lines of half-unicial in the Lindesfarne
Gospels? There seem to be many overlooked alphabets and I thought these Insular
Minuscules would be something new to use for warming up my lettering. How do you
make these letters, what is going on here? Working from exemplars from two standard
lettering books, we will study together, learning to really look at what's happening while
trying to duplicate it. Perhaps you can enlighten me with your discoveries and questions.
This alphabet does not have a contempory application, but it is the discipline of learning
to look and copy accurately that's important.. It can apply to all of your practice.
Supplies: Slant board, one color of gouache or ink, medium size nibs, paper to write on—
layout or graph, T-square, two colored pencils.
DON’T FORGET
Celtic Knotted Borders
Gary Feyen
Learn the “foundation”knot as I learned it from Aiden Meehan. The foundation
knot and all it’s many variations are the key to drawing knot borders, plaits or
other items such as a celtic cross. We will do all three in this class. Even if you
never draw a serious piece of knotwork, these are great doodles.
Supplies: Pencil, eraser, ink, pointed pen, small pointed brush, ruler, smooth
white paper, marker – pointed or chisel 2mm/medium.
TO SEND IN YOUR
REGISTRATION . . .
Characters on Canvas
Ardie Gallant
You’ve lettered on different kinds of paper, now try fabrics! We’ll explore the similarities
and differences of the surfaces, possible backgrounds, tools to use, and how paints
and inks relate to the fabric. Be adventuresome and you can take a small completed
wall-hanging home with you! Fabrics, hangers and lots of extras provided.
Supplies: Bring your favorite tools, inks, paints and a short quote.
Materials Fee: $3.00 payable to teacher.
THE EARLIER
THE BETTER!
A Basket of Flower Techniques
Joann Schulte
We will examine the different shapes that make up flowers and practice with a
variety of tools to get different effects.
Supply List: Paint—watercolor and/or gouache and small palette; Brushes— flat
chisel-edged and round, in different sizes; Angle and Filbert, if you have them;
practice paper that will accept watercolor and some good paper, scraps are good;
broad-edge pens, pointed pen such as the Pigma micron pens, pencil/eraser;
water jar, paper towerls or rags. Materials Fee: $1.00 for each color copy you
choose to buy.
4
Signet February 2008

THE CAT
Jill Norvall created this lovely book as her gift to
the greeting card exchange. The dedication reads:
In memory of our calico Shamrock,
1990 - 2007,
who lives in our hearts.
Inside back,
with removeable
bookmark.
Center pages
The thoughtful text was written by Ryan
Alexander (USMC) in April, 2004 while serving
in Mosul, Iraq.
Signet February 2008 5

THE PERFECT ANSWER
The following is reprinted by permission from Mary Lou O’Brian,
President of The Washington Calligraphers Guild. Her letter in the
December/January 2008 Bulletin provides a kind and educated answer
we can all use. —Editor
Recently, I received a note from one of our members asking
for advice. Many of us have been in this situation, so I thought
it would be worth sharing her note (with her permission)
along with my response.
Mary Lou,
Do you know of any place I can take a really, really quick
crash course in calligraphy…? I have taken on a job of
addressing wedding invitations for a friend’s sister. The
bride-to-be said she loves my natural handwriting, but
thought it would be even more impressive to use calligraphy.
I know of no one here…who teaches such or would be willing
to have me sit through a crash course type of situation. The
invites will be going out very soon and I really want to
impress her as well with calligraphy, but no luck so far. I’ve
purchased a book, but it shows samples, not the entire alphabet
of different styles. I’m even willing to drive up…over a
weekend if necessary. Just thought I’d ask you. Take care.
—Jewel
Jewel,
This is my recommendation: don’t look for a class.
Even if you found one, you cannot learn enough or have
time to absorb enough to change your lettering in time to
start work on your envelope job. In fact, it will probably have
an adverse effect.You will want to do the lettering the way
you just learned in your class, but your hand won’t have had
the time or practice necessary to make the change.Your eye
may be able to see, but your hand may not yet be able to produce.
This conflict will frustrate you and take all the joy out of
executing your job. Add to that the pressure of having to
complete a large envelope job with a short deadline and you
are setting yourself up for an unpleasant experience.
Some things in life,
like learning
calligraphy,
you just
can’t rush.
Instead, use the beautiful hand writing that your friend
has already seen and loves. This is the hand that comes
naturally to you right now and as such you will be able to
do it with ease and endurance—two things you will need
in abundance to complete the job successfully.
Show your friend a sample of an envelope with your
lettering. Tell her that this is what you can offer her right now.
This way she will know exactly what to expect. If she wants
something different, she can find someone else to handle her
job. Of course she thinks it’s a great idea to do her envelopes
in calligraphy—she doesn’t realize that it’s not a skill you
acquire overnight.
You need to be wiser than she is. Tell her that you want
her envelopes to look as beautiful as you can possibly make
them. And for that reason you are going to do what you do
best: your own hand.
Once you have taken a class or two (at your convenience,
when the timing is right for you) and have had a chance to
get comfortable with the tools, then you can take on jobs like
envelopes and use tham as training jobs that help you to
hone your skill and give you extra practice.
Good luck.
—Mary Lou
FROM THE ARCHIVES
I wish I had found this when we
reported on the quill cutting meeting,
inspired by George Yanagita, but it will
be equally enjoyable now. I don’t know
what year this was, but the following is the
edited text that accompanied this poem by
Leslie Lair. —Editor
“George Yanagita and Jane
Westerlund offered two quill cutting
workshops the week of June 19, one
at Artsign during the day on
Monday, and the other at the St.
Paul Red Cross on Wednesday night.
6
Assisting were Leslie Lair, Polly
Mathison, and Kate Regan…By the
end of the workshop, participants
had cut at least one working quill,
and were given goose quills to cut
for finer writing. The experience
was put into poetic form by Leslie,
who wrote and calligraphed the
following: [see at left].”
Signet February 2008

TAKE A CALLIGRAPHIC TRIP
CHICAGO
The Chicago Calligraphy Collective
is hosting the 28th International
Gathering of Lettering Artists
July 19-26, 2008
at North Central College,
Naperville, Illinois.
Letters Mingle Souls
P.O. Box 222, Lemont, IL 60439
www.chicagocallig.com/conf2008.htm
DENIS BROWN
YVES LETERME
CHEERIO 2008
NORTH
May 4-9, 2008
CAROLINA
www.calligraphycentre.com
ENGLAND
Calligraphy shows up in
the most interesting places!
Go to marthastewart.com
and enter “calligraphy”in
the search area. Look for the
“Calligraphy and Cakes”
entries and enjoy Michael Sull’s work in a
new venue!
Logo by Gini Ogle
2008
For all the rules and information see
calligraphersguild.org . Envelopes entries
must be mailed and postmarked by:
Wednesday, April 30, 2008.
This year's theme is "C's the Day!" to
encourage you to design an envelope
around anything that begins with the
letter "C." Unlike recent years, judging
of the 2008 contest will emphasize
LETTERING over illustration.
The Graceful Envelope Contest
Washington Calligraphers Guild
P.O. Box 3688
Merrifield,VA 22116.
New Members
Adarsh M. Rao
2186 Scudder Street Apt. 102
St. Paul, MN 55108
adarshrao@gmail.com
Randy Szarzynski
3135 Lakeshore Drive
Maple Plain, MN 55359
randy@mackeyszar.com
&
Additions
Corrections
Changes
Lucinda Rigas (new address)
913 Sudden Valley
Bellingham, WA 98229
Email Updates
Maxine Coldren: marukigeco@yahoo.com
Jim Jennings: patnjim@Q.com
Charles Pearce: charles@charlespearce.com
Sheila Waters: Sheilawaters@adelphia.net
Don’t forget to update your membership
directory with this information!
Signet February 2008 7

P.O. Box 4024
St. Paul, Minnesota 55104
NON-PROFIT
ORG
US POSTAGE
PAID
St. Paul, MN
Permit No. 2502
Coming in February…
JANEY WESTIN
Letter
Carving
MEET THE MENTOR
February Mentor—Charlie Hughes
Charlie will be available at 12:30 ready to look at your work,
offer suggestions, talk about your lettering goals, and answer questions.
Photo by Sue Filbin
Photo by Sue Filbin
Diane von Arx
at the January meeting
demonstrating the planning
and precision that go into
her exquisite flourishing .
January Mentor Janey Westin (L) talking
over Jean Formo’s carving project.