Archive for June, 2009

Where to go: The Sunset Strip

Posted June 8, 2009 by
in Where to Go? | 1 comment »

sunset-strip

Thanks to Erin of La Plume Etoile for our latest “Where to Go” entry… about the iconic Sunset Strip.

One of my favorite places is the Sunset Strip in Hollywood, CA. It has a lot of history as a place where famous movie stars socialized and legendary bands performed. Many important events have happened there. Certain places still have an element of glamour, but it is also gritty and dirty. There are interesting people of all kinds and hanging out on the Strip is never a dull night. There is nothing like rocking out at the clubs, hanging out with the bands and basking in marquis lighting.

Image via bORjAmATiC.

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Writing and sculpture

Posted June 4, 2009 by
in Cabinet of Curiosities, Pens, Paper & People | Add your comment »

nss-008

One of the coolest things I saw last month at the National Stationery Show: the “graphite writing objects” of San Francisco sculptor and artist Agelio Batle, and in particular, this hand, which is made from a cast of the hand of one of his sons. (Unfortunately, my picture came out blurry, but there are better photos on Agelio’s website.)

Because it’s solid graphite, the whole object writes, though I suspect I’d use it sparingly if I actually owned one since it’s such a lovely piece. When I took the hand for a test drive at the NSS, it felt smooth and pleasingly solid, and drew a sharp, dark line on the page. Other items in the series include flowers, leaves, and animals like alligators and owls.

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Ordre et Desordre

Posted June 3, 2009 by
in Pens, Paper & People, Where to Go? | 1 comment »

One of the people who responded to our offer to sample J. Herbin ink was Lorna Mulligan, an artist and calligrapher from Montreal. She received her degree in Fine Arts from the University of British Columbia and also studied at the Banff Centre.

 lornabio

Lorna teaches at the Visual Arts Centre and at Dawson College in the Continuing Education Department. She also does Culture in the Schools workshops through the Quebec Ministry of Education. Lorna is the editor of L’Arabesque, a newsletter/journal for Montreal’s calligraphy society.

Her artwork is being shown as part of the exhibition  “Ordre et Desordre” at Galerie Mile-End, located at 5345, avenue du Parc, Montreal, Quebec.  The exhibition runs through June 6th. She sent me a photo of one of her pieces in which she used Bleu Nuit ink.

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“I am part of the group Les Calmars,” Lorna writes, “and we have been working together for a number of years now on traditional and contemporary calligraphy. This exhibition explores the theme Order and Chaos. The piece which includes the section (done with the J. Herbin blue ink) that I e-mailed you is in this exhibition.”

Delightful!  Lorna, thank you, and best wishes to you and members of your group for the show.  Anyone visiting or living in Montreal, please stop by Galerie Mile-End to see the calligraphy artwork of Les Calmars.

See more of Lorna’s artwork at her website - lornamulligan.com.

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Where to go: Tejal’s attic room/sanctuary

Posted June 2, 2009 by
in Where to Go? | 1 comment »

bedroom1

June’s inaugural “Where to Go” entry comes from Tejal Kuray, who writes about her attic room (and blogs here about inks, paper, pens, and art supplies).

These days I’m spending more and more time in my attic room. Originally a storage space, we completely redesigned it and added carpet, painted the walls, installed an AC, furniture, and now it’s my private abode, far above the distractions and drama that is family life. Having redecorated it myself, I feel a special kind of connection to it. Add in things such as two betta fish, several houseplants, tons of art supplies (everything from oil paints to yarn for crocheting), an overflowing bookshelf, and the colorful origami cranes hanging from the ceiling, and we have a seriously personalized private space where I can be alone with my thoughts, my fish and my plants.

More pictures of Tejal’s room, art supplies and artwork, and sea glass collection after the jump…

Continue reading »

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May’s “Where to Go” contest winner

Posted June 2, 2009 by
in Where to Go? | Add your comment »

Thanks to May’s first (and only) “Where to Go” contest entrant, Bill Bradford, who wrote about Austin’s Lady Bird Lake and won himself a free Clairefontaine basics notebook.

Keep those entries coming! Your odds are good, and we’re feeling generous.

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What do you write with?

Posted June 1, 2009 by
in Pens, Paper & People | 15 comments »

Thanks to everyone who responded to my post about what issues should I bring to this week’s North American meeting.  I plan to print out your suggestions and bring them with me to Montreal.  (Note: it’s not too late to write – everyone is welcome to add a comment to my May 26th post!)

I have one more question for the group… since we will spend time discussing paper selection – color, weight, texture, etc. - it would be helpful to know what do you use to write in your planner or notebook:  fountain pens? pencils? ballpoints? mechanical pencils? rollerballs? highlighters? colored pencils? All of them? Something else? Do you like to sketch as well as write?

book-and-pen

Personally, I have given up writing in planners with fountain pens since I make so many changes.  I usually write with a #2 pencil, although I have a yen to try some antique pencils my grandmother collected and used to use.  I gave up using them years ago when I kept snapping off the lead nib when I was writing.

Your thoughts on paper and writing instruments would be appreciated.

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