Flourishes

Lines by Leslie

Hi, Everyone,

Every spring I feel energized when I see all the new green buds and the beginnings of flowers coming out all over the city. This year, the excitement was especially boosted by the goings on at our March meeting. Many visitors have commented throughout this year on the energy they feel when they come to one of our meetings. I think I've taken it for granted that we have a lot going on and that there's a lot of creative energy in our group. But this time, it was palpable and what a thrill it was to be a part of it.

Thank you to all who provided hospitality, to Maggie Gillikin for another informative Early Bird presentation and to all that brought examples of calligraphy on non-traditional surfaces. Thank you to Sally Gooze and her participants for another enjoyable round robin program in which we all got to use non-traditional lettering tools, and to our nominating committee and our slate of upcoming officers. Thank you also to all that made Paul Freeman Award nominations and to Laura Heye for coordinating that process. Thank you to our original art contributors for the door prize committee.

We had some important decisions to make and needed the support of our entire membership in order to complete something special. And everyone provided that support, more than enough to make things happen and I thank you all for it.

As you know, we've had talk of a 26 letter project for the past several years, in July at our planning meeting for the year, Darla Peek and Bonnie Houser began plans for another composite newsletter cover of 26 letters, and discussions grew out of that meeting to expand the project and get the most out of it. We now have an amazingly complex project that has become a reality. Thanks go to many people including the original planners, the 29 members who contributed the art, the fund raising committee (especially Jill Adams), the exhibit chairs (Maggie Gillikin and Brixey Sutton), and the board members who spent extra time at meetings to help make this happen. I extend a special thank you to the entire membership who have supported the project from the start.

As you know, in our excitement over this project, we neglected to consider the fact that our budget is for the current fiscal year and our huge project spans two fiscal years, the current one in which we "prime the pump," and the next in which we reap the profits. After considerable discussion by the board and the committee, it was decided that the best way to actually fund this fundraiser would be with advance sales of the posters and books. The advance sales were quite successful, and our guild is to be congratulated.

The XXVI Letters project now consists of:

Spring Exhibit: the original artwork, beautifully framed, to be displayed as part of our Spring Exhibit in April at Ventana Gallery. The title, beautifully rendered by BJ Grant, is also used as the invitation to the exhibit, and the invitation is designed by Darla Peek to double as a bookmark.

Traveling Exhibit: this original artwork will become a traveling exhibit after the show, to be used to promote the guild and calligraphic arts in San Antonio for the next 2-3 years, after which it will be returned to the artists, who may keep their art or choose to donate it to the guild for sale in an auction or fundraiser.

Newsletter Cover: this April newsletter cover, the original intent of the art, will be a special one we all want to save

Poster: a professionally printed poster on lovely paper, with the artwork on the front, the history of the letter on the reverse, for sale as a fundraiser.

Book: a limited edition of 100 books, accordion style, in a slipcase, also to be used as a fundraiser.

Now I can hardly wait for summer, when we get to bind the limited edition and make the lined slipcases to go with the books. I believe that more than half of our entire membership will have been actively involved in this project by the time it is complete. That's a wonderful statement of commitment from our members, and we can proudly congratulate ourselves! Thank you once again to all who have worked so hard on this project and to all who have supported and nurtured it along the way.

Leslie

Maggie Gillikin's
COLOR Workshop
Sat., & Sun., April 29th and 30th
Discovery School at 222 Salem Drive

Have you ever blended two colors together, only to come out with a very different result than you anticipated? Well, this workshop is designed to take a large amount of the mystery out of the challenges of color ... while having a good time!!

Since I am most familiar with watercolors, that is the medium that I am suggesting that you bring - but other forms are very welcome!

Please don't go broke buying stuff for this workshop. I have tons of brushes that you are welcome to try. (I can supply the paper at $3.36/sheet.)

A basic supply list follows:

Colors		These brands are ok:
Aureolin yellow		Winsor-Newton
Cadmium yellow		Lightex
Cadmium red		Da Vinci
Alizarin crimson		Senelier
Rose madder genuine		Rembrandt
Indian red		Holbein
Light red		Cotman
Colbalt blue
Phytho (or Winsor) blue
Phytho (or Winsor) green
Ultramarine blue
Cadmium orange (optional)

You are certainly welcome to bring other watercolor colors.

These are not inexpensive! I'll be glad to give you out a squeeze or two.

A small bottle of matte medium (acrylic)
1 cheap bristle brush
A palette (can be a white china plate)
A rag or two; toilet paper on the roll, Kleenex
Pencil
Eraser (magic rub) or kneaded eraser
2 water containers
Masking tape (3/4" or 1" wide)
2 sheets of 140 lb. D'Arches cold press watercolor paper
Brushes - 3 round ... one each in the following sizes: Size 4, Size 8 and Size 12
Brushes - 1 size 1" flat

Also bring a selection of white or fairly pale rice papers that will be painted and then used in collage experiments.

Please bring the usual calligraphy supplies, so we can apply color to paintings with letterforms. (NO experience with letterforms is necessary for this workshop.) These supplies include your favorite colors of gouache.

If you are interested in attending this wonderful weekend of color, sign up with Joan Schmitz. The cost is a very reasonable $20 each day or a total of $40 for both days. I recommend that you come for both days.

This is Darla talking now - once again, Maggie is sharing her time, talent and color knowledge with SACG members and she is donating her workshop fee to the Reggie fund to help defray travel expenses! If you are available the last weekend in April, take advantage of this special opportunity to explore color with Maggie.

We heard great things about Maggie's last workshop (see Shirley Ginn's rave review in the March issue of Flourishes) and we saw wonderful examples of color, creativity and melted letterforms at our February meeting.

Paul Freeman Awards

Each year the SACG awards two framed pieces by the late calligrapher, Paul Freeman, to two SACG members voted by the membership as having contributed and dedicated themselves the most to the benefit of the Guild. The choice is always hard because all of the nominees are deserving. We can only present two awards, so thoroughly read and consider the nominees to select ONE person for whom you will cast your vote at the April meeting. The Awards Committee presents to you the following nominees for the 1999-2000 PAUL FREEMAN AWARDS:

Mavis Caudill has chaired the Newsletter Mailing Committee since it's inception and is in charge of the Notifications Committee, which notifies everyone between newsletters or for urgent messages. Mavis also made a Photo Roster of our guild so we can put a name with a face when we don't know someone's name. These are all behind the scene jobs, but all are very essential to the success of our guild.

Sally Gooze has served as Program Chairperson this year making sure that our meetings are educational in many different disciplines as well as fun with many hands-on programs. Sally was an active member of the Secret Pal Committee last year and this year. She calligraphed the Textura T for the XXVI Letters project. Sally supports the guild by attending all the major and mini workshops; you will also can her smiling and encouraging others.

Bonnie Houser instigated the planning meeting the last two years to dovetail the early birds, programs, and newsletter covers. She has been a part of the XXVI Letter project. Bonnie has spent many hours researching the hand for each letter, gave each calligrapher samples of their letter from different sources to help inspire them and assist them with their design. She then helped with the layout and design of the poster and newsletter cover and submitted the Zoomorphic Z on the poster. She has been working behind the scenes and has been an integral part of bringing this Guild back to life. Bonnie takes part in the workshops, fundraisers and submits art work to the guild exhibits, calendar and one of her calendar pieces was chosen to be used in the notecard fundraiser. Bonnie taught a mini workshop last year on walnut ink that was enjoyed by all that attended.

Darla Peek has cheerfully devoted work, effort and energy over the past two years as the Newsletter Editor. She has put out a beautiful product, that is wonderful to look at and is always on time. She has worked as well on the Coordinat-ing Committee this past year, to make sure that the newsletter covers and activities dovetailed into a cohesive picture for our members. She was instrumental in the XXVI Letters Project and submitted the Uncial U. Darla always submits artwork to the exhibits and the calendar each year. One of her former calendar pieces was selected for the notecard fundraiser.

During the ten years since Joan Schmitz first received the Paul Freeman Award, she has been the Major Workshop Chairman or helped behind the scenes on other projects. She has freely hosted many workshop instructors, monthly board meetings and a Southwest Conference at her home. She has always been available to help members get the correct supplies for the major workshops, cheerfully arriving early to set up and staying late to clean up after the workshops. In many ways Joan has helped produce the guild calendars and set out cookbooks, and has served as Education Chairman since it's creation. Joan also supports our guild with artwork for the Spring Exhibits, calendar and volunteered to calligraph the Whitevine W for the XXVI Letters project. Joan was also working behind the scenes on the XXVI Letters project by putting in many hours in researching the different hands for the letters for participants.

Gayle Venticinque has served as the Mini Workshop Co-Chairperson for the past year helping members sign up for the workshops they want to attend, taking care of collecting money and making sure everything runs smoothly. She has served as Parliamentarian for the past two years helping the advising the guild on the rules of order. Gayle has helped with the door decorations at TCID for the Christmas holidays and did the table decorations for our Spring Exhibit at Ventana last year. Gayle also participated in the XXVI Letters by volunteering to calligraph the Letter Contemporary L.

Karen Veni has chaired the Secret Pal Committee for the past two years and has done an outstanding job of encouraging many members to participate. She made sure that things were not only timely, and well done, but small works of art. After the budget was depleted, Karen used her own funds to supplement the budget. Karen has given a program during the past year and has given several early bird programs during the past two years and is active in the guild major and mini workshops. She also participated in the XXVI Letters project by volunteering to calligrah the Half Uncial H. Karen can always be seen at the meetings sharing and encouraging other members.

Leslie Winakur is currently Guild President and immediately before that she was the secretary - a position she cheerfully accepted as soon as she joined the Guild. She has been involved in every fundraiser; the Paul Freeman Certificates last year and every major and mini workshop the guild has sponsored. Leslie taught the Celtic Knot mini workshop this year, that was enjoyed by all in attendance. She has submitted artwork for Spring Exhibits and the annual calendar and calligraphed the Knotwork Letter K for the XXVI Letters project. She saw a need for clarifying the by laws last year and formed an ad hoc committee to get the job done. Leslie possesses a great sense of humor, joy, common sense and an elevated style that she confers upon our guild and every one of our members.

Studio Tips

Spilled Ink Removal

Pavasa sends us a great studio tip from Cyberscribes as written by Elsie Schalock, President of the Sonora Desert Scribes in Green Valley, AZ.

Last week, one of my student's inkbottles tipped over in her bag on the way into class. She left a trail of ink across the carpet into the lobby and into the classroom. The maintenance people brought out their big rug-cleaning machine, but the ink was still there. On the way home, the lady who had spilled the ink stopped at a rug cleaning place and they sold her some rug cleaner (said they would refund her money if it didn't work). She went right back and applied it to the stains and they all came up. Thought I would share the name of the product with all of you.

MOTSENBOCKER'S LIFT OFF

Call 1-800-346-1663 (listed on the back of the bottle) to find out where it is sold in your area. It is made in San Diego and sells for $9.99 for 22 fl. oz. They have smaller bottles, also.

(I don't know about you, but 22 oz. is probably just a start! I haven't left an ink trail on carpet through a lobby, but I did a pretty good number on one of my favorite t-shirts one time. I'm definitely going to try to find some of this wonderful ink remover. DP)

Ziller Ink Tip

Another e-mail up date from Pavasa, she got this info from Rich & Vivian Mungall with Ziller Inks in Kansas City.

Take a 1 ounce jar, fill half way with distilled water, add the color of your choice - add only enough to get a color you'll like to work with. Say you start with Midnight Blue - deep and dark - when added to the water in diluted strength, you'll get a beautiful medium blue. Add a bit of Northwind White if you want a bit of opacity, add a touch of Cardinal Red to make it a little more like an ultramarine, or add a bit of Sweet Grass Green to take it to a teal-like color. THEN, the trick - add sparingly, a few drops of Ziller Ink Thickener to even the pigment out and to take it back to a consistency you like for your writing tool of choice.

Vivian's been trying this in the studio and is getting some very good results.

Contact Mungall by e-mail at: rmungall@unicom.net


XXVI Letters Poster and Book What an exciting evening we had at the March Guild meeting. A copy of the XXVI Letters poster was unveiled to the oohs and aahs of everyone present. The poster, which sells for $10 (including tax) will be ready the middle of March. The book, an accordion fold in a slipcase, will be a numbered limited edition of 100 and will sell for $25 until the May 4th Guild meeting, after which it will sell for $30. The books, using the same XXVI Letters as the poster, will be made by hand this summer. Advance sales of both the poster and the book were very successful. We sold 112 posters and 45 books at the meeting! Special note, the XXVI Letters cover on your April newsletter is printed on Gilbert Esse smooth (rather than the textured paper we have used this past year for covers - other pages are printed on Gilbert Esse texture) and the official poster is printed on Classic Laid; a nicer paper in a nice off-white color. These XXVI Letters projects are coming to fruition through the love and dedication and hard work of Bonnie Houser, Darla Peek, Maggie Gillikin, Joan Schmitz and all the contributing artists. Many thanks to them for making it all possible. Jill Adams --- Reminder --- The deadline for May Flourishes is Thursday, April 6 - the night of the April meeting. If your copy of Flourishes arrives late, damaged or not at all - please call Mavis Caudill, she has extras until the next meeting, then they go to Jill Adams, Membership Chairperson. Or, if you have Internet access, take a peek at previous editions or view the latest Flourishes on the web at our website http://www.axs4u.net/home/inksmith/sacg.htm where it is posted. A special "Thank You" to Francene Smith and her son-in-law, Frank Rippel, for providing this for our members. Vote in April Remember, we vote on our new slate of officers for 2000-2001 at the April meeting. Come prepared to vote for: President - Maggie Gillikin Vice President - Shirley Ginn Treasurer - Karen Veni Secretary - B. J. Nichol Parliamentarian - Lucy Dalkowitz Members-at-Large: Jill Adams, Beverly Carter, Sally Gooze, Joan Schmitz, and Francene Smith Photos on the Web If you have access to the Internet, go to the Flourishes website and click on one of the few photo pagess. http://www.axs4u.net/home/inksmith/sacg.htm *******

April 2000 Flourishes' Web Page is proudly sponsored by
Sandee's in Seguin, TX USA - whose web site is:
http://www.axs4u.net/home/riptron

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