Flourishes

MMO
Back in September I fervently hoped for rain ... well, it's perfect example
of BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR ... Between those many showers, we've had
so many exciting activities, starting with a wonderful mini-workshop of
decorated envelopes with our very talented Laura Heye!! Thanks, Laura!

Our calendars are out there and selling well - please see Janice Anabtawi to BUY, BUY!!!

I want to thank those of you who were able to come to our meeting -- swimming
became a prerequisite to attend the meeting with all the water, water, water -- but
those of us who could get there were in for such treats! It all started with the
Early Bird Special as Denise Adler demonstrated that wondrous Zyron mechine.
Thank you, Denise!

Our businexx meeting was busy and some important decisions were made:
The theme for the Spring Exhibit is: "Siver Celebration"

So, everyone! Busy days are ahead -- please volunteer to
contribute to these two central activities of our Guild each
year -- what terrific themes we have for both!

The Guild voted to have the sign-up for mini-workshops begin at our first
official meeting in September, rather than at our exchange in August,
wehn many of our members are still on "summer vactions." I can
hardly wait for our next mini-workship on November 16th with the Legend
letterform and our own Joan Schmitz! Gayle Venticinque reminded us
to keep calling for openings until the last minute on mini's with a limit!

At our December Holiday Party there will be our traditional card/bookmark
exchange, with each participant putting in one item (and one additional item
for a guest, if brought to the party by that participant.) Cards are
being urged -- as many as you want to make -- for donation this year
to the Battered Women's Center -- you may create cards for women or
for children, because this center houses women and their children. It
will feel wonderful to know that we made their holiday season a bit
brighter. Also, please work to display and/or sell. It's always so
wonderful to see our members' work and I, for one, always am looking
to add to my own collection -- everything displays so beautifully at Leslie's
house, so be sure to bring something for our show/sale!

Our 25th anniversary party will occur at our April meeting. Pauline Sager
will design our newsletter cover and invitations (we'll send them to former members
as well); Janice Anabtawi will handle the food, and Pam Thomas will be
doing decorations --- these folks need for us to volunteer to
help them make our party a real B-A-S-H!!

Leslie Winakur presented a clear review of the elements of considering
advertising in our newsletters. The Guild voted to accept the following
as space permits:
$25 / quarter page for art related commercial businesses
$10 / 3 lines for members of the Guild to advertise
Announcements for classes taught by our members will be
printed for free, as always.

Our poster, books and slipcases were presented -- thank you to all of our
many members who contributed to this wonderful, labor-intensive effort.
Please see Jill Adams to pick up sold books or to buy one of the last 23 left!!

Withall this business done, we had a SPECIAL TREAT -- Denise Adler showed us how she
did our incredible June 2000 cover -- she and Camille Storment deserve an award - A
BIG AWARD - for all the hours and hours they put into this beautiful piece -- shown to
us piece by piece by piect -- each technique was so cool --- what a unique
program! It also confirms what talent we have in this Guild!!

Have a wonderful fall season and I look forward to seeing all of you at our
holiday party on December 7th!

bulletin board

The 26 Letter Books are here! If you ordered in advance, please pick up your order from Jill Adams at the Holiday Party. They are beautiful! Thank you so much to all who contributed. This was truly a “labor of love.”

Exhibit Info: We voted at our November meeting, and “Silver Celebration” is the winning theme. Now that we have a theme, we have no excuse for not starting work early! We should have some wonderful work to help us celebrate our 25th Anniversary. Please remember that all work should be for sale, and price your entries accordingly.

Jill Adams reports that we are now 101 members strong. Isn't it nice to have so many friends who like to write the alphabet as much as you do?

Correction: ACA Membership does not include a subscription to Letter Arts Review. But it's still very much worth the money. Please see Pauline Sager if you need an individual membership form.

The theme for our 2002 Calendar was chosen at the November meeting. “A Tribute to Female Poets” was the winning topic. The Calendar Committee will send out the printing details to all who volunteered to submit art work. The guild calendar is a great way to have a “mini exhibit” that hangs for a year. Thank you to all who make this possible.

Jill Adams is still accepting contributions to the Thank You Fund for the Sextons. We really appreciate all that they do for us at the Church by setting up the meeting room twice a month. We'd like to show them we care at Thanksgiving.

Congratulations to the winners of Maggie's first contest. They are Karen Veni, Shirley Ginn, and Pauline Sager. The answer was “N” for November, followed by the “S” in September and “O” in October. The prizes were beautiful watercolor cards painted by Maggie.

Joan Schmitz happily reports that everyone who submitted work to Reggie Ezell was accepted for the yearlong workshop. She will be sending a letter to all participants in the near future.

Thank You to our November hostesses, Pam Braha and Loni Carlson, for their wonderful goodies. And to Denise Adler and Camille Storment for their outstanding program pre- sentation on the story behind the June cover. We are all in awe of you two. Thank you also to Darla Peek for getting our photo into the San Antonio Express News on Saturday, November 4. And thanks to Maggie Gillikin for arranging our Sunday workshop with Sharon Zeugin at Pizza Italia, a fun place for the workshop and lunch. We really appreciate Terry allowing us to invade his kitchen.

Have Party, Must Eat! Please remember to bring your potluck dish to the Holiday Party. If you have not yet signed up to bring food please contact Janice Anabtawi and she will let you know what we still need.

Workshop Review

Roman lettering is not for cowards. I, for one, came to the workshop with some fear and trepidation, but quickly found myself going with the flow, thanks to the warm and encouraging teaching of Mark Van Stone. Gwen Weaver flew in from Virginia to partner up with Mark for this two day workshop. She arrived in San Antonio without her voice, but was a wonderful teacher nonetheless.

On Saturday, we went through some of the basics of Roman letterforms. We then began exercises on applying pen pressure (and pencil as an option) invented by Fritz Poppl, to create beautiful lines. We were given plenty of individual attention as both Mark and Gwen worked with us on our own particular needs.

Sunday morning was cold and wet. Mark and Gwen (her voice coming back a bit) were in good spirits. We were taught “Rascally Romans,” a Gwen Weaver variation of Roman lettering. We moved through this with much success and were all pleased with our results. This was fun, fun, fun and I forgot about being intimidated. Next came the “baby romans” foundational lettering. We made delicate little letters with a tiny pointed nib. That afternoon Mark signed Karen Veni's journal adding a note and some lovely “embellishment” (see below). Soon Mark and Gwen were busy entertaining us all with what we love most, gorgeous letters.

One of the highlights of the weekend was looking through Gwen's magnificent portfolio. This opportunity came very close to not happening as Gwen had mailed the precious portfolio and it had been “lost” in the mail. Thanks to Leslie Winakur, who spent hours driving from one place to another in the beastly weather, finally locating the portfolio, we all got to see the creations of this most accomplished calligrapher.

Mark Van Stone and Gwen Weaver put together a great workshop. We came away with improved technique and much inspiration. I, personally, came away with the satisfaction that came from having taken on the majestic Roman letter and having made “friends” with it.
Joanne Pacelli

December 00 Flourishes' Web Page is proudly sponsored by
Sandee's in Seguin, TX USA - whose web site is:
http://www.axs4u.net/home/riptron

December Birthdays