If I had to use one word to describe my art and how I approach each artistic project, that word would be “personal”. Art, to me, is a personal decision making process that continues far beyond the creative stages and lasts as long as the piece itself. I use my personal experience, skill and emotion to guide my efforts with the intent of creating a piece of artwork that will elicit a personal response from the observer each time it is viewed.
As a calligrapher, I can “cheat” a little because it’s easy to make that personal connection. After all, who doesn’t love to see their own name beautified and embellished for the world to admire? The challenge in using words as a basis for my art is to capture and exhibit new meaning and expression beyond the apparent message of the written words. That’s why I prefer the term “lettering artist”. My creative endeavors oftentimes go beyond the “beautiful handwriting” itself.
Using the term lettering artist also helps those who want to know what medium I am. Am I a painter?, Do I “do” watercolor? Yes. Because of my formal education in art, I have proficiency in most media. I can do watercolor landscapes, portraits in oil and charcoal drawing. I also do engraving with a high speed drill on glass, metal and wood. I love the elegance an d of paper sculpture. But all these are just tools I have at my disposal to help make that personal connection I am intent on achieving. One image may call for the richness of oils while another subject may need the elegance and sophistication of paper sculpture. I use whatever medium will best convey the message I’m trying to impart.
More often than not, I will use methods and colors that will enhance calligraphy which has always been my passion. I started out at a young age being aware of letters and lettering, instinctively knowing the proper proportions for what looks “right.” I suspect my whole perspective is colored that way. I’m the one who stays to watch the credits to see who wrote the note the actress was holding in the movie. Some love gold jewelry, I swoon over illuminated letters. A properly rendered flourish can make my whole day.
Other artists search to find their niche. My lettering niche has always been at the base of my explorations and where I always come full circle. I did wonder at one point if I was born in the wrong century but I have come to realize, in this computer age that, now more than ever, my type of art may be needed in to order to keep our world “personal”.