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I have just finished in time for the post! Another postcard winging it's way to New Zealand. My contributions to this postcard swap seem to have been mostly illuminations. This time the theme was Journeys. Although we had just been on a trip to the United Kingdom and Ireland, I got caught up in thoughts of personal journeys compared to traveling journeys and didn't make any progress for ages. I finally went with personal journeys. 
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Just completed an illuminated letter F for a friend. I have been taking lessons with the most beautiful person. Pamela is 84 and an inspiration to us all. She still goes to the gym, uses the internet all the time to source more and more examples of illumination for us to study and takes classes on a Thursday. At the moment she is unwell so I am wishing her a speedy recovery. 
I am documenting (if very quickly) my progression of illuminating a letter on eco printing. It was commissioned way back before Christmas. Finally it has happened! Part of my concern was that I no longer had the first piece and so couldn't compare to get them to look similar. 
First I choose the right eco print so that there was space enough to see the letter. Then drawing in the letter with pencil and carefully filling in the areas that will be gilded with, in this case, copper leaf. Copper leaf suits the background of the eco printing. 
Next, paint on the gilding mix allowing it to dry to a tacky finish and then laying on the copper leaf. Carefully burnishing it and tidying up the edges. I love the way the gilding has gone. It looks like a satin ribbon. The finished piece is quite different to the first one but that is the beauty of individual pieces of art I guess.
It is the last days of the Canberra Calligraphy Society exhibition. Some lovely, lovely people bought my large eco print as well as my illuminated E on eco print. I also have a commission for a letter M (illuminated on eco print). It is rather lovely to know that someone likes my work enough to buy it. 
Rose helping with the sewing. Hard work but honestly, some people need all the help they can get.
I have been very busy lately sewing a skirt for my granddaughter's year 10 formal. She is so very slim that probably anything would look good. Anyway it is finished and she looks great. I have now moved on to another illuminated letter just to get back into the swing of things. Very satisfying. It is very peaceful choosing the colours and completing illuminated letters. Just what I needed. This illuminated letter is for a friend's birthday. 
Illuminated M
 Back from a road trip along the Murray and Darling Rivers to Broken Hill. Saw some beautiful and awesome scenery. Broken Hill has the most amazing Sculpture Garden. It is quite spectacular .
Since I got back I have been experimenting on how to use my papers to best effect. Not sure if this works but it was fun attempting it. Trying my hand at Illuminated letters again. I need to have a bit more practice with the gold leaf to get it perfect. I'm reasonably happy with these. These illuminated letters are ones adapted from Jim Billingsley's book of Illuminated letters. The B is 14 cm squared and the A is a tiny 6 cm squared. Great fun.   |
