Where is Spring?!

Seems the best laid plans.........out the window!

We have had a busy year so far. Our meetings are always a fun filled day and the April meeting was no exception. In March, we had all made a little book in preparation for the crazy program where we do a collaborative book all in one day! Jo Y. was back from England and helped with the cover for the accordian book. Some choose to have their contribution ready to glue in place on the day but most usually go along with the real deal and write their words right in the books. The theme this time was "Travel" and there was a wide array of quotes and ideas with only a couple of duplicates I think.

This year we decided to assign specific topics for Galleria, although there will still be months where our homework or work generated from a workshop will be our focus. May is our first actual assigned Galleria...........use only watercolours. Have you done yours yet?!

And we are looking forward to June when Thomas Hoyer from Germany will be with us for a workshop on the Introduction to the Ruling Pen. Fay took Thomas' class at Island Magic and he came highly recommended. When Bow Valley Calligraphy Guild contacted us to share Thomas we didn't have too much trouble deciding!

We are planning a field trip this summer to Tacoma to see the St. John's Bible exhibition.

Tacoma Art Museum (Tacoma, Wash.), July 11 – Sept. 5, 2008

Having seen a couple of pages when I took a class with Sally Mae Joseph at the St. Louis International Calligraphy Conference, I think I can say that the trip will be well worth it. I am sure we will also make a stop at Daniel Smith Art Supplies, just in case anyone needs anything! We might find that there is so much to see and do that we have to stay over.

With an exhibition of our own coming up, it is time to be thinking about new exhibition pieces. Our deadline is fast approaching...

There are some wonderful opportunities to study this summer. Red Deer College always has a great lineup of instructors every summer and this one is no exception. Gemma Black from Australia will be there. This would be a perfect setting to spend a week learning with Gemma.

http://www.rdc.ab.ca/continuingeducation/visual_arts/series/index.html

The International Calligraphy Conference will be in Chicago this year. There is still time to register!

http://www.chicagocalligraphy2008.org/

Our upcoming meetings - May 10 - Layered Piece with Trevor

June 14 - Marker Lettering with Kathleen

see your Spring 2008 newsletter for the supply lists.

Don't forget the deadline for the next newsletter is the May meeting if you have something to be included in our Summer issue!

See you at the next meeting!

News!!

I really should attempt to be more frequent in our blog posts! We have a lot planned for this year and although we keep up-to-date via our googlegroup, we aren't letting the rest of the world know what we are up to!

April 2 & 3, 2008 we have Carrie Imai visiting - Art for the Non Artist
see Carrie's work at http://www.carriedesigns.com/
There are still 4 spots open. Better hurry if you wanted to attend as we will open this up to Westcoast members within the next week or so.

April 12, 2008 will be our regular meeting and the program planned will be working on a collaborative book. The book will actually be constructed at the upcoming March meeting. If you have never attended one of the meetings where we work on a book, you have to come! It is crazy, fast paced, and a whole lot of fun. I would encourage everyone to please come prepared to actually work on the books at the meeting. Don't take the easy way out and prepare your page ahead of time! that just takes away from the spontaneity of the moment!! The theme will be announced soon.

Our regular May meeting will be held on the 10th. Galleria topics were chosen at the January meeting and the May Galleria is "using only watercolours".

We have Thomas Hoyer coming in June on the 3rd and 4th for some ruling pen work and I think we will also have our regular meeting on the 7th. Watch for the sign up sheet for Thomas in the March issue of the Broad Edge.

The Galleria topic chosen for October is "Words of Wisdom".

When working on Galleria pieces, think "Exhibition"! we will definitely be needing new pieces by June.

Wishing all our members and friends of calligraphy

a very Happy Christmas and

a wonderfully productive and Prosperous New Year!

Tis the season...

It has been almost a month since anything was added here - how time flies! It is that time of year...

Our Christmas Luncheon was a roaring success in Joyce's new home. Calligraphers do know how to cook! the lunch was great. Our card exchange just gets better and better and the gift exchange was wonderful, with lots of very useful presents from Santa.

I hope everyone has a Happy Christmas and a Wondrous New Year! and then it will be back to work for us.

Our January meeting is on the 12th. Remember! this is our Annual General Meeting and the Elections for a new Executive. Please consider where you would like to volunteer to help this year.

We have a few things to discuss about upcoming months, most importantly what we would like the instructors to teach us - Carrie Imai in March and Thomas Hoyer in June.

We will also be exploring the use of embossing. The list of supplies is in the newsletter - if you have them, otherwise, we will share.

See you in the New Year!

Mark Twain quote

I have darkened the quote in Photoshop but one misses the subtle pencil work.....at least the letter forms are easier to see.

More Island Magic class work

Here is an example of work that we did in Peter Thornton's class where we studied the works of Adolf Bernd. Peter is hoping to have an exhibit of Bernd's work at the Chicago conference in July, 2008.

Upcoming Issues of The Broad Edge

Upcoming issues will feature reports from our members on their classes at Island Magic 2007 and our November workshop with Gwen Weaver on Rascally Romans and Beautiful Babies. Have you submitted your report yet?!

From Peter Thornton's Casual Caps class.....