Alesia Zorn Calligraphy

Life in Nashville, TN

Greetings from Music City, USA - Nashville, Tennesee and the 60th annual convention of International Master Penmen, Engrossers and Teachers of Handwriting - aka IAMPETH .  As these things always go, it's been such a whirlwind I don't know where to begin.  Unfortunately my laptop and the wireless in the hotel are not speaking so I can't upload pictures but I wanted to "say hey" (as they do in the South).  I've been having a great time working on lettering, vining, color theory, more lettering, flourishing, visiting with friends old & new and somehow, STILL shopping with Brenda from Paper & Ink Arts, I would have thought I picked up everything I needed (or even wanted, for that matter) in Minnesota, but apparently not. Good times!  The weather has been hot & humid (as expected) and we've had some spectacular thunderstorms which I adore. 

I can't believe the week is over half done.  Why can't time move this quickly when I'm in a dentist's chair?

Calligraphy Conference Day 1

Greetings from Minnesota - hot & humid Minnesota!  Despite the sticky weather, I'm having a blast.

The first half of this week I'm taking "Pointed Pen Sketchbook" with Patricia Blair.  I'm so very fortunate to be in this class, Pat is the head of the White House calligraphy studio, she certainly knows her stuff!

Look at the welcome she did for us on the black board - simply stunning.

Here are my attempts for Day One - we tested nibs and did practice strokes.  Nothing terribly sexy but  I had so much fun and can't wait to play with this more!

Life at the coast.

What a fantastic weekend!  I went to The Newport Paper Arts Festival in Newport, Oregon.  It's a wonderful time - lovely people, fantastic location, great instructors... I could go on & on, let's leave it with it's a good time for all.

On Saturday I took Double Secret Belgian Binding with Doris Arndt.  I've known about Doris for ages and was thrilled when the planets aligned and I finally got into her class!  She's a lot of fun even while giving very clear instructions and keeping everyone on task.  I LOVE the book I made in her class.

  This is the book's cover... or is it?

    here's the back.  If you'll notice, the little piece of notebook paper is closer to the right side of the front than on the back, otherwise, you'd never know.  It's similar to a dos-a-dos (back to back) book structure.  From the top it looks like this

Tricky, huh?  And cute as a bug's ear.

Speaking of cute, I stayed at the Sylvia Beach Hotel.  Each room is decorated around a different author's theme.  Considering we share a hometown, I had no choice BUT to pick the Dr. Seuss room...

I'm kicking myself because I thought I'd taken a picture of Horton & The Who fluffball peeking non-voyeuristically over the shower wall but I didn't.  For you, Constant Reader*, I'll have to check into the Dr. Seuss room next year when I go the festival again.  I wouldn't miss it for the world!

*in homage to Dottie P.