Calligraphers Guild of Manitoba

DAY by DAY – TEXT upon TEXT

2011-10-17T17:09:00.000-05:00

The weekend workshop with Laura Eriksson was wonderful and enjoyed by all who were able to attend.

photo from Charlotte

This first photo was where we had our picnic lunches as the weather was so great.

photo from Lauren

Laura doing a demonstration for the group.

photo from Charlotte

Here Laura is demonstrating the use of a mussel shell as a tool with sumi ink.

photo from Charlotte

Watercolour was added to create a mosaic. This was by far the favorite exercise of everyone there.

photo from Charlotte

We had two new first time calligraphers.

photo from Charlotte

Here is Laura demonstrating entering a journal page.


photo from Lauren

A journal page about A Rocha page that Laura was working on.

photo from Lauren

The group's show and tell at the end of the workshop.

photo from Lauren

A book Laura made at a workshop.

photo from Lauren

Another piece of Laura's work she showed us.

Weekend Workshop with Laura Eriksson

2011-08-13T10:04:00.000-05:00

The Calligraphers' Guild will be offering a second (annual?) weekend workshop
at A Rocha Prairie Canada Retreat Centre
in the Pembina Hills in Manitoba

September 30 - October 2, 2011

With our very own LAURA ERIKSSON

“DAY by DAY – TEXT upon TEXT”

Laura will share with us what she is learning about using calligraphy every day in many ways, and in all kinds of situations. Her passion is to make our love of calligraphy expand and make letters sparkle somewhere every day!

Her workshop will include:

TOOLS for TALKING

A review of various hands including Neuland, Versals, and using

our ordinary handwriting

TEXTURE in TEXT

Layering words to create texture

DIAMONDS in the DAILY

Tips on creative journaling for adults and kids

SPRING BOARDS for TEXT

Looking at the world around us in image and text and finding inspiration.

PAGES for PRESENTATION

Working with a quotation for a final piece

BOOKS TALK

Creating bookmarks inspired by our favorite books.

Workshop will run for 2 days, from 10 am to 4 pm.

WORKSHOP COST: $230.00 (includes arriving Friday evening , 2 day workshop, lodging, all meals, snacks and beverages)

Options: Workshop only - $46.00 / day

Night lodging with breakfast – $50.00

Lunch – $12.00

Supper - $15.00

A bit about Laura Eriksson:

Laura was a well loved and active member and teacher of our guild from 2003 – 2008 during her time in Winnipeg. She is a long time calligrapher and has studied under Sheila Waters, Martin Jackson, Peter Thornton, Laurie Doctor and Kathie McIlvride. Laura has taught elementary school for 15 years. Currently she teaches calligraphy to Junior High School students, seniors, and members of the Vancouver Calligraphy Guild. Her real passion is sharing calligraphy with her 3 year old grandson and her 13 year old grand daughter. Laura currently lives in Vancouver with her husband, Sven, and is a busy grandmother and an exquisite tea party hostess.

About the A Rocha Prairie Canada facility:
Nick and Susan Pharaoh are Co-Directors of the ARPC Center. “We would love to see our Winnipeg friends come for a retreat at the Centre on the Edge of the Valley. It is a ‘hidden Gem’ nestled in the hills located next to the Pembina Valley Provincial Park - 30 minutes southwest of Morden, MB. A truly wonderful experience awaits you!”

A Rocha is an international conservation organization working to show God’s love for all of creation. The name “A Rocha” is Portuguese, and means “the Rock.” A Rocha Canada was established in 1999 and works under the umbrella of A Rocha International, founded in 1983.

For further information on how to register, please click the email button on the right sidebar of this blog and request a registration form. Registration deadline is Friday September 16, 2011.

Guild Spring Picnic

2011-06-16T19:52:00.000-05:00

The guild's annual June picnic was held on June 10th at Charlotte's lovely home. Great food, wonderful company and many gorgeous calligraphic and related items for show and tell! What more could you ask for on a beautiful spring evening?

Charlotte's calligraphy and handbound book.

Edith's paste paper with Kathie's calligraphy for class examples.

Ike's calligraphy with Bonnie's watercolour painting.

Sheila's lettering from Lorraine's workshop.

Laura's handbound books.

Angela's photography cards.

The crowd browsing the show and tell.

Outside on Charlotte's deck. I know this one is a bit blurry, but the smiles were sharper!

Workshop with Lorraine Douglas

2011-05-17T20:59:00.000-05:00

The Lorraine Douglas workshop on April 30^th and May 1 was a wonderful time indoors!

Nicole's first creation!

It truly was a miserable day, but our focus was on learning to use the ruling pen. Using walnut ink, we were encouraged to create our own alphabet by practicing various marks and lines. The rich brown colour of the ink gave a distinct quality to our lettering.

Lorraine brought several types of pens and folded nibs. She then demonstrated a way of making our own folded pen.

Interesting letters were emerging!

Charlotte’s alphabet: impressive!!

Nicole and Linda

Barbara and Vivian

We created painted backgrounds for lettering on!

Papermakers Choice presented a variety of unusual and fine handmade papers for purchase, much to our delight.

Thank you Lorraine!! We had a great time!

Submitted by Edith

Ruling Pen Book Workshop with Lorraine Douglas

2011-02-04T12:25:00.000-06:00

Lorraine Douglas is coming to do a weekend workshop at the end of April! The dates are Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1 from 10:00 – 4:00 pm. Location is the Art Room at St. John's-Ravenscourt School, 400 South Drive.

This two day workshop will first focus on how to hold and use a ruling pen to create several brand new hands - ones never seen before! These will be done with walnut ink with a Ruling Writer or Folded pen or Firefly pen. Then each person will work on their own unique finished piece on good paper using a technique like colour blending or light on dark contrast or painting counter spaces.

Students will be encouraged to play and experiment and exploit the possibilities of creating their own unique alphabet.

Cost for the 2 days:
Member - $110.00 (Cost for 1 day only $65.00)
Non-member - $140.00 (includes Complimentary membership)

For further information and to register, please click the Email button on the right sidebar.

Upcoming workshops

2011-02-03T18:51:00.000-06:00

Upcoming Winter Classes

Evening Series with Kathie McIlvride:

will be held Wednesdays from 7:00 - 9:00 pm

Uncial Part I

February 9

Uncial Part II, a continuation

February 16

Gothic Part I

March 16

Gothic Part II, a continuation

Fee: $25 per evening

Supply list to be provided prior to class

All Day Workshops with Ike Derksen:

Creative Roman Caps

Saturday February 26, 10:00 - 4:00

Neuland

Saturday March 5, 10:00 - 4:00

Supply list will be provided prior to class

Cost per day: Member $55

Non-member $60

For further information and to register, please click the Email button on the right sidebar.

Call for Artists

2011-02-01T16:27:00.000-06:00

Please consider supporting ArtsJunktion mb by donating a piece of art for their annual Art Auction fundraiser on June 16. The deadline for submissions is May 28. For each piece of art that is auctioned for $50 or more, the artist will receive a $50 gift certificate for Cre8ive Arts Supplies as a small gesture of our appreciation. Contact Andrea at the number/email above for more information and a contract.

Calligrapher Wanted

2010-12-03T16:28:00.000-06:00

The Calligraphers' Guild received the following request:

hi just wondering if there would be some one there able to write something out in calligraphy , just did my ancestry and would like to have it wrote out in old english calligraphy, if there is can they contact me kathy

Old English is also known as Blackletter or Gothic.

If you are interested, please email the guild by clicking the button on the right, and we will forward your email to Kathy.

Ebru, Turkish Paper Marbling Workshop with Janet Carroll

2010-11-25T19:18:00.000-06:00

Saturday April 2nd, 12:30-4pm,

$55, supplies included

Ebru, Turkish Marbling, is a way of decorating paper that involves floating paints on a tray of thickened water, then manipulating the colours and picking up the resulting image with a piece of treated paper. Join us at this workshop to learn the basics of this fascinating craft and take home several unique prints. These can be beautiful on their own or used as material for more art projects.

The instructor, Janet Carroll is a Winnipeg book artist who has marbled paper for 30 years. She teaches workshops for adults and works with children in the Learning Through the Arts program in Winnipeg schools. She received a Manitoba Arts Council grant in 1991 and served as Bookbinder-in-Residence at the Minnesota Center for Book Arts in 2000.

For further information on registration for this class, contact the Cre8ery Gallery .

Paste Paper Workshop

2010-11-05T11:22:00.000-05:00

If you've always wanted to make your own decorative papers for book making, cards, calligraphy, etc., this is the workshop for you! Paste paper is fun and easy, with amazing results.

This workshop will be at Edith's home. Please click email the guild by clicking the email button on the sidebar for further details.

Workshop with Connie Furgason

2010-10-16T17:39:00.000-05:00

Our weekend watercolour retreat with Connie Furgason began Friday night when most of us arrived at A Rocha, just south of Morden, Manitoba. Susan Pharaoh, a former guild member, welcomed us all with open arms! She cooked us fantastic food (breakfasts such as you have never experienced!) and had maps available for wonderful hikes.

Susan also played her harp for us as we painted, looking out the windows at the Pembina Valley. Our weather, as you can see, was superb.

As we were a group of 13 people, all with different experience levels in watercolour, Connie walked us through the steps of using the 1/2 inch flat brush.

With this brush and some great techniques, we learned how to make many different types of flowers.

Irene was our "Tulip Queen."

We had an inspiring teacher, location and group of people to work with. Our time ended sadly on Sunday at around 4pm. It was quite unanimous that we should come together again for retreats at A Rocha.

Monday morning 6 of us gathered in the basement Studio of Edith's daughter to learn "Making a Mark" with Connie.

We had great fun experimenting with paints, inks, brushes and many different tools trying to make creative marks. Hopefully these marks will be used in future calligraphic pieces!

We were so appreciative of Connie's expertise and willingness to hang out with us prairie women.

Write-up submitted by Charlotte.
Photographs by Charlotte and Michelle.

2010-08-21T11:14:00.000-05:00

A Rocha Canada, in partnership withThe Calligraphers' Guild of Manitoba,

is presenting a Calligraphy Weekend Retreat with Connie Furgason

on Saturday & Sunday, September 25 & 26, 2010.

Watercolour Florals

2 days - All levels

This class will introduce students to a variety of flowers, both abstract and more detailed to be used on broadsides, greeting cards, invitations and journaling. We will explore free form flowers as well as some that will be enhanced with pencil and fine detail pens. If weather and location permit we will venture outdoors to explore nature first hand.

Workshop cost: $135
Location: A Rocha Prairie Canada Field Station, Pembina Valley, MB

There are two options available for overnight stay:

Option #1: Arrive Friday night for a relaxing 2-Night Retreat: $120 includes all meals, snacks & beverages.
Option #2: Arrive Saturday Morning, spend 1 night at the Centre: $80 includes meals, snacks & beverages.

About the instructor:

Connie Furgason has been teaching workshops on the Lettering Arts since 1981. Her university background in Fine Art and English have given her the foundation to teach through the Lethbridge Community College for 20 years. Connie continues to teach weekend and week-long classes hosted by Calligraphy guilds and other groups throughout the world.

Connie's work has been published in several books, ABC Canada, The Spirit of Calligraphy, Speedball Handbook 23rd Edition and most recently, The Art and Craft of Hand Lettering. Her work includes lettering in the commercial card and print industry.

Connie travels throughout North America teaching and lecturing to all levels of ability in the calligraphic arts. She was the director of two conferences held in Lethbride, Alberta: PenUltima '99, the 19th International Calligraphy Conference and Kalligraphia '04, a regional Canadian conference.

Connie values the time spent with her four children and gardening.

About the A Rocha Prairie Field Study Centre:

Nick and Susan Pharaoh are Co-Directors of the ARPC Center. “We would love to see our Winnipeg friends come for a retreat at the Centre on the Edge of the Valley. It is a ‘hidden Gem’ nestled in the hills located next to the Pembina Valley Provincial Park - 30 minutes southwest of Morden, MB. A truly wonderful experience awaits you!”

A Rocha is an international conservation organization working to show God’s love for all of creation. The name “A Rocha” is Portuguese, and means “the Rock.” A Rocha Canada was established in 1999 and works under the umbrella of A Rocha International, founded in 1983.

For more information please send an email through the link on the side bar and we will email you the registration package.

Calligraphy on Fabric Workshop

2010-05-01T22:36:00.005-05:00

The Calligraphy on Fabric workshop with Ike Derksen was wonderful. Here's a little of what we did during the day...

Acrylic paints, thinned slightly with water, were our medium of choice. They dry permanently and won't reactivate if you add layers. Our writing tools were flat watercolour brushes; longer haired brushes hold more paint and are more resilient as you work. Our first fabric was a heavy natural canvas. It took the paint really well, and personally I love the "dry brush" look that is easily achieved. Nice crisp letterforms were easily achieved on the canvas.

Ike is a sign painter by profession, and at his workshops you can be sure that you will pick up some very useful tips for your work. To make speedy lines for your lettering, brace your pencil against a ruler at the place you want your line to be drawn. Brace your other hand against the side of the table, and slide both hands, pencil tip and ruler, along your work surface. The first time Ike did this, we all just shook our heads in amazement, but it really works well, and is a great time saver! Ike also added a few paint strokes to his work later on with this same technique.

We also tried lettering on more delicate fabrics such as lining and drapery fabric. It was interesting to compare the different textures of fabrics, the ease of lettering, and the reaction of the fabric with the paint. On the dark fabric, we drew lines (if desired) with chalk, with the same technique as above.

Being a sign painter, Ike is not afraid to use a really BIG brush, and make really BIG letters!

Ike's lettering on the dark lining fabric.
The paint tended to through the lining a little,

and as it bled a little, the letters appeared a little softer.

Trying different colours on the drapery fabric.
The metallic gold didn't show up as well as expected,

while the (darker) green actually showed up better.

Ike giving a personal demonstration for Edith.

Janet made some beautiful letters and is quickly developing her skills!

Charlotte tried her Pearlescent and FW Acrylics with success.

Doris hard at work. The light yellow showed up quite well on the canvas.

And lastly, the only shot of the photographer behind the camera....

Workshop: Calligraphy on Fabric

2010-04-23T13:15:00.000-05:00

THE CALLIGRAPHERS' GUILD OF MANITOBA

is hosting a workshop

"LETTERING ON FABRIC"

with Ike Derksen

Saturday, May 1, 2010 10:00am - 4:00pm

St. John's Ravenscourt School (The Art Room)

The Guild is happy to offer this workshop to members for the cost of supplies only.

Non-members cost is $40.00 for the day plus supplies.

Bring water colour flat brushes and craft acrylic paints if you have - fabrics will be available at the class.
This stuff is fun, easy and open to all levels!

Pre-register by contacting Charlotte Konrad.

Artists Emporium Open House

2010-04-23T13:00:00.000-05:00

At the request of one of our members, I'm posting a link to the Artists Emporium website here regarding their annual Customer Appreciation Open House:

Click here for further details.

More Envelopes

2010-03-29T10:36:00.000-05:00

To follow up on last November's monthly meeting where Kathie inspired us with a variety of techniques for decorating envelopes, here is a link to a blog you will find interesting. Scribe Jean Wilson's blog, pushing the envelopes displays envelopes she has addressed for brides, and special occasions, using both current and vintage stamps.

Paper Marbling with Janet Carroll

2010-03-20T13:56:00.002-05:00

Saturday, May 29, 2010, 12:30-4:00, $55 (includes all supplies) at cre8ery.

Ebru, Turkish Marbling, is a way of decorating paper using floating paints by manipulating colours, and lifting them onto a treated piece of paper. Learn the basics & take home several unique prints--beautiful on their own or used as material for more art projects.

The instructor, Janet Carroll, is a Winnipeg book artist who has marbled paper for 30 years. She teaches workshops for adults and works with children in the Learning Through the Arts program. She received a Manitoba Arts Council grant (1991) and served as Bookbinder-in-Residence at the Minnesota Center for Book Arts (2000).

A few members of the guild have taken a marbling class with Janet, and can testify that it is a fabulous class, and Janet is a patient and gifted instructor. To see Laura's papers from a class in November, click here.

For information on other creative classes and how to register, go to the cre8ery website here.

ABC 2010

2010-03-13T16:47:00.000-06:00

Hurry! There is still time to register for this summer's 5 day calligraphy conference in Red Deer Alberta!

A five day conference for calligraphers at
all levels of expertise

August 8 – 13, 2010
Red Deer College
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada

They have an amazing lineup of talented instructors.

For all the information, click here to go to the site for

The Lettering Arts Guild of Red Deer.

New Art Store

2010-03-08T20:16:00.002-06:00

There's a new art supply store in town!

Cre8ive supplies & services is downtown, at 312 William Avenue, in the same building as ArtsJunktion and kitty corner to the Colours Warehouse store. They say "We provide high-quality Art Supplies for use in Fine Art, Design, and Drafting — at the fairest prices in town." They also told me they plan on carrying some calligraphy supplies, so if there's something you're looking for, let them know! For members of arts organizations such as the Calligraphers' Guild, there is a 20% discount offered.

Brandon Class: Lending a 'Hand' with Wedding Preparations

2010-02-02T18:10:00.003-06:00

For those in the Brandon area, Kathie McIlvride will be teaching a class on March 27 and April 17 on "Lending a 'Hand' with Wedding Preparations" at the Brandon Art Gallery.

The first class offers participants an introduction to Calligraphy and the tools used to create the beautiful ribbon-like lettering of Italic. Participants will work with a light table to show how Place Cards can be lettered and envelopes can be addressed.

The second workshop will build on the Italic Script previously learned in the first workshop. Participants will explore variations and flourishing, and learn when to add colour and decoration to lettering. This workshop will include an introduction to a script called Copperplate, a derivative of Italic but finer and more elaborate.

For further information and how to register, click here to go to the class page for the Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba.

Supply list for Italics Class

2010-01-15T19:03:00.002-06:00

It's not too late to register to attend Kathie's class on Italics. See previous posts for more details.

If you are coming, here is what you should bring (click on the image for a larger image to read/print out):

And More Italics

2010-01-06T20:49:00.003-06:00

Here is another sample of the fine Italic script that Kathie McIlvride will be teaching on January 23 and February 13. The class is suitable for beginners and those with some calligraphic experience. Isn't this inspiring?

The cost of each day will be $40 for members of the guild, and $45 for nonmembers. If you are interested in attending, email the guild at the address on the sidebar, and we will send you information on how to register.

More on upcoming workshop, Learning Italic

2009-12-29T17:29:00.001-06:00

Here are more images to inspire and tempt you to attend the next workshop with the guild! Please scroll down to the previous post for more details.

Beginner Italic

2009-12-16T21:27:00.004-06:00

The Calligraphers Guild of Manitoba will be offering a Learning Italic class taught by Kathie McIlvride, on January 23 and February 13, 2010. The classes will be held from 10 am - 4 pm in the Art Room at St. John's-Ravenscourt School.

In this workshop, students will learn to create the beautiful script known as Italic. These letters resemble twisted ribbon and have the appearance of dancing across a page!

The class will begin with becoming familiar with the Calligraphic tools as well as creating a comfortable work space. Students will practice exercises with the pen, eventually graduating to the alphabet. The workshop will end with a project which incorporates this lettering.

Come out and enjoy a day of Dancing with Characters!

If you are interested in this class, please contact us at the email address on the right side bar, and we will send you more information on registering.

The Tradition of Exchange

2009-12-09T19:56:00.002-06:00

To enter Charlotte’s home is to embrace tranquility itself.

As we, the members and friends of the Calligraphers’ Guild of Manitoba, arrived for our traditional Christmas Card Exchange, Charlotte, our President, greeted each of us with open heart and open arms. Encouraged to come in from the cold we found ourselves ensconced by the warmth of friends and fireplace alike. The platters of food both sweet and savoury paraded beautifully in a sweep of enticement, as a reminder of what was to follow. With wine glass in hand we happily moved towards the snippets of playful conversation anticipating the exquisite cards soon to be revealed.

Momentarily however, all thoughts of cards vanished as we squealed with delight to see our dear friend, Lorraine Douglas, who had secretly come to join us!! Lorraine, a past enthusiastic member of the Guild as well as President, had previously left us to reside on Vancouver Island. Our loss has been their gain. Such a sweet surprise it was and proved to make the evening all the more special.

As the flurry of excitement settled we began to exchange the designs involved in the creating of the cards which had brought us together. Each person who had brought cards described the inspiration, procedure and/or tools involved.

There was much variance in all categories. Photography, collage, paper folding, stenciling, stamping and embossing were some of the techniques used in the creation of the cards. From the absolute novice to those very familiar with lettering, all cards were presented and created wonderfully. Lettering was the common thread but each person’s preference, personality and creativity took that thread in a different direction. As a result, eleven unique cards circled the eager group.

Left to right, top to bottom:

Nicole, Michelle (inside), Kathie, Michelle (outside)

Anja, Charlotte, Sheila, Laura

Vera, Lorraine, Edith, Vivian

Inspiration had been gleaned. The mingling of those who shared affection as well as a distinct common interest were slow to disperse. Eventually a gradual filtering took place as appetites sought out the prepared platters. Once again mingling and conversation took hold.

Few were eager to leave but reluctantly we finally trickled out leaving the warmth of friends, food, and fine art behind to once again face the cold. Inspiration, however, carried with us and many of us were processing all that we had seen and enjoyed. There may even have been some who were perhaps designing their next year’s card in anticipation of another evening of warmth.

Submitted by Kathie

Christmas Card Exchange

2009-11-26T16:08:00.004-06:00

The event of the season is fast approaching! I'm referring to the annual Christmas Card Exchange of the Calligraphers' Guild of Manitoba, coming soon on December 4. Each year, members bring enough of their handmade calligraphed cards to trade with everyone else. After hearing stories of triumph and misadventure in the creative process, at the end of the evening each person goes home with a selection of beautiful handmade cards and wonderful warm memories!

Here is a selection of cards from previous years:

Decorated Envelopes

2009-11-24T21:06:00.003-06:00

Our monthly meeting last Wednesday provided us with inspiration for decorated envelopes. Our own member, Kathie McIlvride, displayed a large grouping of envelopes from delightfully easy to the more elaborate. It must be a thrill for the mail delivery person just to handle some of these!!

We are now inspired to create those Christmas cards for our exchange on the 4^th of December.

-submitted by Edith

Suzanne Cannon Workshop

2009-11-18T15:40:00.015-06:00

On October 24 & 25, Suzanne Cannon from Quietfire Design came to Winnipeg to teach 2 classes for the Calligraphers' Guild.

Charlotte attended the Calligraphy day on Saturday, and wrote this about the day:

"Saturday, October 24, was spent with Suzanne "Adding Funk to our Foundational". We began the morning with an overview of the basics of the Foundational hand. For some of us this was an initial exposure to Foundational and for others a good review. Suzanne was also very helpful as she discussed and demonstrated the action of different pen nibs and their response to different types of ink. Tips on tools are always so appreciated. After showing us ways to add "funk" to the lettering we also experimented with adding some glitz! This included foil transfers, gold guilding and ink blending. The day was informal, relaxing, informative and fun!"

Suzanne's book.

The topic for Sunday was a Pipe Organ Binding which is a type of binding stitched over cords. It's an interesting book structure in which the text block is first sewn together over thick cords, and then attached to the cover with the ends of the cords which are threaded through the cover and knotted. A variety of coloured threads can be used for the "pipes", which are for decoration only.

Suzanne demonstrating.

Laura's finished book.

If you weren't able to attend the class, but are interested in learning to make this book structure, Suzanne does have this available as a kit for purchase online.