Calling Cards

My dear friend Mariana recently surprised me with my own set of personalized calling cards that came in a beautiful rainbow of colors, each with their own tiny envelope.  What a lovely surprise to receive these in the mail, totally unexpected!  Mariana has studied the Spencerian hand and I'm so thrilled she shared her talents with me!  Here is a sample of her art.

DREAM

I was commissioned to do a calligraphy piece for a friend for her doctor's Christmas present. The background was Arches Text Wove paste paper that I created at a week-end workshop. I chose McCaffery's ivory ink and a pointed pen to calligraph the quote. The quote is one I love by Edgar Allan Poe.

There was one day in Bologna that I had all to myself. While my family took the train south to the small village of Riola to see a church designed by architect Alvar Aalto, I walked to town exploring the area on foot, enjoying an opportunity to visit its colorful, lively markets. I headed straight for il Quadrilatero where many gourmet food shops are located. The streets were alive with people. Shopkeepers were as busy as cranberry merchants at Christmas time! The various aromas coming out of the small cafes and restaurants were intoxicating. I joined the many people who were admiring the fresh food and flowers that were situated either in front of or inside centuries-old buildings in narrow alleys. People have shopped here for thousands of years, no wonder it was so close to perfect! What a great place to live! On one corner of Via Pescherie I could have stood there all day just watching the people. However, I had some shopping to do for family and friends back home, and this was my chance to do that without Tim and John having to wait for me. Also, there was lunch to look forward to on my own. If looking at food is fun, tasting it is even better!

Pizza Party in Bologna

Shown here is our pizza party in Bologna with Barbara, her daughter, and friends with my family.  The joy of new friends, an opportunity to sample some the most delicious pizza in Italy at Barbara's friend's pizzeria, great stories that included a "Mama Mia!!" ending, plus good local wine = great time had by all!  This is one of those times that I relive in my memories and remember what a special evening it truly was.  Who would have thought that when I began learning calligraphy that it would open friendship doors like this?  Cheers to pen and ink and to our good friends in Italy!

Connecting Through Calligraphy

When the Nashville Calligraphy Guild hosted IAMPETH (International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers and Teachers of Handwriting) in 2009, that was my first exposure to the calligraphic art of Barbara Calzolari from Bologna, Italy. I really liked what I saw in her work, and found myself both mesmerized and inspired by her unique designs. Also, I loved her personality that came through in her teaching and in her art. I met her briefly as she demonstrated her calligraphy one evening at IAMPETH. Later, I “followed” her periodically online on Facebook and her website, always very impressed with her art and continually fascinated with her abilities.

This year my husband, father-in-law, and I were making final plans to go Italy in May, and Bologna was purposefully included in our itinerary. There were three main reasons I wanted to go to Bologna. My main goal was to see if the Emilia-Romagna region truly had the best food in all of Italy as I had read. Now that is the subject for a much longer discussion! The second reason was because we wanted to explore that particular intriguing city and that area. The third reason was because I thought it would be fun to get together with Barbara if I possibly could!

I tried to contact Barbara a couple of times through Facebook, but I didn’t hear back. I knew she was one very busy lady, so I didn’t give up even after we arrived in Italy. Once we were approaching Bologna, I sent her another message. Still no response, and she didn’t know me, so I was beginning to think the possibility of meeting her was becoming more remote. I was beginning to allow that goal to die.

However, I received an email from my calligraphy mentor back in the USA, Jan Hurst, nudging me, saying, “Aren’t you going to see Barbara?” I explained to Jan how I had not been able to get a response from my FB messages and how we were busy discovering all of these things and I might not pursue it any further. Suddenly, Jan is reigniting my interest to connect with Barbara, even taking it upon herself to find her email address and write her directly. The next thing I know I have Barbara contacting me, plus enthusiastically inviting me to join her pointed brush lettering class she was teaching the next day.

The following afternoon I took a fifteen minute mad cab ride to the art store where Barbara was teaching. I arrived with my heart racing from that adventure! But do you want me to tell you how much FUN it was being in Barbara’s brush lettering class? Oh my! It was a beginner’s class using the Pentel brush with young students and a few adults like myself mixed in the bunch. They all were very welcoming. Barbara is a passionate teacher as many of you know and her class was superb! Although most of the class was taught in Italian, I felt I understood what she was saying. It was like calligraphy itself was this beautiful, fluid, universal language. At one point, she looked up and asked me in English if I thought it was difficult mastering the “thicks and thins?” I replied, “Oh yes, no matter what hand style you are working on, that is a challenge.” Then I thought to myself, “no matter whether I am in Kentucky or Italy, it is definitely a challenge!”

Barbara was so gracious and kind. She insisted my family and I join her that night at her friend’s pizzeria. She was meeting a couple there whose wedding invitation she was designing and she would be finalizing decisions with them before dinner. She promised we would discover the best pizza in Italy if we came!

There were good times shared with Barbara and her friends that evening, a lot of laughter and good stories were told, and the most delicious pizza consumed! Plus, her lovely teenage daughter, Frida, joined us, who is absolutely beautiful like her mother. It was such a treat to get to know them. Barbara had her portfolio with her that we enjoyed looking through that included her commissioned work she did for Pope Benedict XVI, writing and illuminating the national anthems of the countries represented at the 2009 G8 Conference.

I look back on the pictures and memories of our time spent with Barbara in Bologna, and I am always reminded of the wonderful connection that calligraphy gives us to each other and to the world.

FLORENCE: Walking along the Arno, headed towards the Ponte Vecchio, I felt someone was looking over my shoulder. I paused to take photos of the kayakers on the river and then turned my attention to the bridge. I was excited to catch this time of day at this historic place. Still, I kept feeling like someone was watching me. I looked back over my right shoulder, and there he was! I pulled my camera around and captured him gazing at me. The man in the guard tower never sleeps!

Roman Theater in Spoleto

The Spoleto Roman amphitheater (1st century AD) is one of its most famous architectural structures. Its ancient marble floor is one of few remaining in the world. The whole theatre was buried for a long time with medieval structures of a church and convent, but in 1954 was uncovered.

Read more: http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/Italy/Umbria/Spoleto-142134/Things_To_Do-Spoleto-TG-C-1.html#ixzz1W2PvJMK3

Spoleto Aqueduct

On the far left of this picture was where our hotel was located. We hiked from there to across this aqueduct one morning before lunch. Our last day here we walked to the castle, Rocca Albornoziana, built in 1359–1370,that houses a very interesting museum containing ancient sarcophages and has many beautiful frescoes.

Spoleto Back Streets After Dark

Walking back each night after dinner to the Palazzo Leti, this was the last corner we turned. I found myself drawn to this intersection each time we walked by here, and I tried to capture with my camera what caught my eye.

Spoleto After Dark

Spoleto is an intriguing place, and it is a great city for walking. We could walk to wherever we wanted to go. We loved all of its Roman architecture still remaining. There are some excellent restaurants and we enjoyed delicious meals here during our three night stay.

Spoleto Passage

On a morning walk in Spoleto, I paused to photograph this alley. I loved the mixture of weathered stones along the pathway.

Florence at Twilight

Yes, I wish I was back here right now. Captured this shot while walking over the Arno River bridge heading back to our hotel after a wonderful dinner our last night in Florence. May 2011

HOPE is

HOPE IS the name of this angel. . .one of my new flying friends asked me to post some of my art. This is an angel I painted with acrylics on a block of wood left over from our remodel project. Today I decided to use the scanned image of it and paint over the words in Photoshop to give her a bright dress and to make the image more ethereal.

Revitalization in Progress

Joined Kelly Rae Roberts' e-course on "Flying Lessons," and this week it began. She has inspired me to revitalize my blog that has remained dormant for the most part of these last few years. I will be focusing on projects that I'm diving into, what floats my boat, and the world that surrounds me. I'm energized by this course and the many very creative participants who I'm beginning to meet from all over the world.

Back to Italy

Back to Italy this month with the Hacker men (husband and father-in-law) because we loved it so much here two years ago.

We flew into Rome from Chicago, and headed out in our rental car with my husband driving to Spoleto for 3 nights at the Palazzo Leti whose garden is pictured above. It's a very nice beginning to what I know will be a great trip!

Finding our hotel was our first challenge. Spoleto is not easy to navigate as there is a lot of congestion from construction equipment as a major restoration is going on in its cultural center. Its narrow streets limit which direction you can go. The stop lights that were obscure to us the first day are now clearly seen tucked in odd places where no rules seem to apply on their location. At one point coming into the middle of town, we were surrounded from all sides by cars, each wanting to go where the other one was. Driving in Europe is not for the faint of heart!

We are on a mountain, overlooking a green valley out our window of this lovely, historic property.

Fox on Hood Canal

My young friend Fox continues on his journey on Hood Canal. This is one of my first pieces outside of class last summer. Tim and I had just returned from Washington State where we attended his Peace Corps Reunion at Hood Canal when I painted this picture.

"FOX ON HOOD CANAL" by Donna Hacker

acrylic on round canvas
2008



OLIVIA and EMMIE

MADELINE and EMMIE




Tim and I attended his Peace Corps Sri Lanka reunion at Hood Canal on South Puget Sound in July while we were vacationing near there. One of the couples at the reunion had their little boy named Fox with them. I was captivated by him; he was so precious! This weekend I created this painting of Fox. My friend and neighbor's 10 year old granddaughter asked me yesterday, "Why do you want to make him famous? Don't you want to paint my portrait too?" Yes, Madeline's portrait will be next. Oh, and Madeline's 6 year old sister, Olivia, wants to know why she can't have her portait painted too? I tell her it's because Madeline is 10, and when she is 10, I'll paint hers. That won't do she tells me. "Pretty please, Donna, won't you paint mine now too?" Okay Olivia, you'll be next in line; maybe I won't wait till you are 10.


This afternoon Madeline and Olivia spent a few hours with me in my studio. They created some fabric art while I prepped a canvas for Madeline's soon-to-be portrait. It was so much fun having two young friends working in here with me. Madeline introduced me to Loretta Lynn's "Van Lear Rose," and Olivia entertained us singing songs she made up as she painted her pictures. These gals will be here one more week at their grandmother's before returning to San Francisco. We sure are going to miss them when they leave!

My Review

Originally submitted at OhNuts.com

Trail Mix of Cranberries,Sliced Almonds,peanuts,Papitas, Black raisin, Golden Raisins,

I wish I had bought more!

By Hackity Hack from KY on 8/24/2008

 

5out of 5

Pros: Flavorful, Unique, Healthy

Best Uses: Snack

Describe Yourself: Frequent Diner, Health Conscious, Foodie

This is a great snack before dinner while my guests are waiting for dinner to get on the table. It's a hit with everyone!

(legalese)

Seaside Lily

Bright day lilies I saw in someone's garden in Cannon Beach inspired this fabric art piece. An article in Quilting Arts magazine featuring Karin Winter's (http://www.karinwinter.com/apps/blog/) fabric art work caught my attention afterwards, so I incorporated her approach here with the lily. My new Bernina made this project a whole lot of fun! Thank goodness for all of those wonderful resources online that guided me through the bias binding with mitered edges! It was an excellent refresher. The purple petals are from fabric designed by my friend, Elizabeth Tipton, who is an amazing artist (www.elizabethtipton.com) and a great inspiration to me in many ways. As soon as possible I am going to mount this piece on a fabric-covered panel for wall art. I've decided now to create three of these so I can practice my technique, hoping to improve each time.

Yellow Flower Blossom

The cool breezes off of the Pacific Ocean create great conditions for gardens to flourish in the NW. Here is a sample of simple, natural beauty found there in abundance.

Tattoo Sampling

Pictured here is a good reminder of the growing popularity of tattoos for women, especially in the NW. Seemed to me that at least one out of every three women we saw had a tattoo.

This lady was with a group of girlfriends who were wine tasting at the vineyards.

An Oregon vineyard with Mt. Hood in the background.

I would hate to imagine a trip to Oregon without sampling some of their delicious, crisp wines! Here is a shot I took in the sample room at Dumaine Serene, Yamhill County.

Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach, as seen directly across from our room.

Night Fires, Cannon Beach

A view from our balcony in Cannon Beach, OR. This strip of the Oregon coast is one of my favorite places. We were here two nights and I could have stayed forever!

Bing Cherries at Cannon Beach Farmer's Market

It was cherry season in Oregon. These were being sold at the Farmer's Market in Cannon Beach, just up the street from the inn where we stayed.

Sunday Market Lunch

Sunday Market in Milwaukie, OR: A Mexican American prepares my quesadilla for lunch. I believe it was the best one I ever tasted! It contained seasoned pork with freshly shredded, stir-fried vegetables.

Vacationing in the NW

We recently spent 11 days in Oregon and Washington. One of the places we like to return to is Astoria, OR. Tim's great uncle used to live there, and this shot was taken from the street where he and his wife lived for many years. We walked around downtown, making a particular point to visit one of their art galleries featuring work by regional artists, and a special tribute to Harry Bennett. Dinner at the Cannery Cafe on the waterfront was as delicious as ever!

Oysterville, WA: The Old School House

Photo Entries Accepted for Exhibit

I am pleased to announce that two of my photos taken last May in Cordoba, Spain were accepted recently into a juried exhibit for the Paducah Summer Festival . You can see them on display now through Aug. 30th at Tribecca Restaurant in downtown Paducah, KY.

The top photo is titled, "Isabel Believes She is Big Enough and Brave Enough to Ride the Ferris Wheel."

The second photo's title is "Embracing Tradition." There also are 52 photos taken by other photographers that are featured in this show out of 400 submitted.

BREMER PEACHES Best By Far!

Until Saturday it had been two years since I tasted a fresh peach due to a bad freeze in our area killing last year's crop. Little did I know that my planned trip to Paducah for a morning sewing class and an afternoon spent on getting a photo for the Paducah Summer Festival ready for framing, would end up with an insider's tour of a peach orchard in southern Illinois.

While waiting for my photo to be reprinted at an office supply store, which was a test of patience when it took over three hours, I met another customer beside me. We struck up a conversation about his peach orchard business. It was easy to see that he had great pride and passion for growing many acres of peaches and nectarines these past thirty years.

He was getting copies printed of a reflective letter for his customers about the history and future of his peach orchard. As he waited his turn he asked me if I could do a favor for him by editing and lettering a few lines on his original paper before copies were made? He had no idea he was standing beside one of the world's biggest peach fans! Of course I was happy to help him! In return for his appreciation he said his first crop of the season had just come in and he invited me to come by his orchard so he could give me a box of his delicious peaches. He was now throwing in a tour of his orchard. You bet I would be there!

Later that afternoon there I was heading to southern Illinois, a short drive from Paducah. It was beautiful country there, and rather amazing how quickly the landscape changed into rolling hills after crossing the Ohio River. Boy, I bet it is pretty in the fall when the foliage changes!

Soon I was at the orchard's main shed where pecks of peaches sat waiting for the next group of customers to arrive. It was so clean you could have eaten off of the floor! Dale and his wife Jane greeted me warmly and introduced me to some of their "family," their migrant workers who help make this orchard the success it is.

Here is one of two little boys who lives here on the property. He is five years old and loves to draw. He jumped up on this picnic table to show me how he can draw one of the tractors pulling a peach wagon.

My trip to the orchard was highlighted by a guided tour of the property in a John Deere four wheeler with Dale. What a peach crop! Seventy acres of twenty different varieties of peaches plus a few acres of nectarines creating its own Garden of Eden.

Here's Dale enjoying the first nectarine of the season! If you are ever in the area, you should stop by and discover what I think are the best peaches by far!

Gwynnie Girl

What a great opportunity I had last weekend participating in a three day workshop on face painting with DJ Pettit of Medford, OR! Our class was sponsored by the Kentuckiana Calligraphy Guild, and about 15 of us met in downtown New Albany, IN at Preston's Art store for the workshop. We all had a terrific time working on fabric and canvas with our Golden acrylics!

I don't know if you've been there or not, but downtown New Albany is an interesting jewel of a river town. I think it would be fun to live there. It's just across the Ohio River from Louisville, one of my favorite cities. I liked that place a lot---it was probably its tall, ornate, old buildings from the turn of the century that appealed to me most.

I stayed with my calligraphy mentor and dear friend, Jan Hurst who lives in Jeffersonville, IN. We had a whole lot of fun painting together! It was so much fun, in fact, that I didn't want the weekend to end, even though I will confess I did miss my husband Tim, my dog, and cat who were keeping cool indoors back in Fulton, KY where we live. However, I discovered through the workshop that there's something inside me that just wants to keep painting.

This was the first time I ever painted people or pets with acrylic paint. I have lettered a little bit on fabric prior to this, but had given little thought to painting people's faces with acrylics. I'm totally enthused after this class though, and I am bound and determined to finally launch my blog.

My first piece was of a lady I named, "Halida," but her nose kind of looked like a pig's. Tossed that one out as a learning experience! The second piece that I did was on a 9 x 12" canvas. I decided to add my corgi, Gwynnie, to this lady's picture. Several students in the class thought my picture was a self portrait, but I think it was the hairstyle that I chose that made them say that. What do you think?
DJ often finishes off her fabric pieces by machine stitching lines around and over them onto a heavy duty watercolor paper before framing. I can't wait to see how well my machine can handle this. Please stay tuned!

Starting Somewhere

Everyone has to start somewhere. Today is my day to create my blog. It's one of those perfect days in western Kentucky--blue skies, no humidity, a breeze, and temperatures ranging in the 70's! A day like this makes me want to start a new project. In my lap is a copy of the latest issue of Cloth, Paper, and Scissors. Already I've found two ideas I want to explore--small fabric charms for jewelry and creating jewelry from trash on the street.

Another article featured Laini Taylor's art. I love her art! I first bought her whimsical, winged lady cards on the Oregon coast in 2005, at a cheese factory store of all places. It was the link to her website that brought me here today creating my own blog. That's what she did. I like her work and she's from one of my favorite cities--Portland, OR! She's got me going!