Marks and Calligraphy

Words, marks, gestures, music and nature.

My first choice for this blog is to touch upon the subjects of marks and calligraphy.
Mark making to me is the the link between drawing and writing.

Marks/ strokes have a limitless way to be constructed tools, words, gestures and so much more- they all begin with the first mark.

The first time that I linked calligraphy and marks came about as I started developing a workshop, after receiving a request from a high school teacher. She wanted me to teach calligraphy in a two hour class as an introduction. I thought about this for a long while before answering her and suggesting that instead of an actual calligraphy class, I teach a class involving the elements of calligraphy. The strokes (or marks) that make up each stroke to form a calligraphic letter(s).

I designed a class that was a calligraphic mark making workshop: I used: balsa wood - square shape- black ink, gesso and a spot of red. Square balsa wood pieces are the same shape as a calligraphic nib.

I had the students divide the paper into 4 squares- each square used a “traditional” mark/stroke that is used to make a calligraphic letter - 1 square used a big bold strokes/marks, another square used small marks/strokes, and the third square a combination of the two, for the fourth and final square it was the students choice. Gesso was added to send back some parts and then a small splash of red was added. Each piece was as unique as the person making the marks.

This class became the beginning of many variations that I have developed to adapt to the desires of the people taking the course. I am thrilled that this workshop developed into a full week long workshop of discovery for all participants and myself- I always learn from my fellow creatives- that is one of the best parts about teaching, my students amaze me with their own creativity and love of making art.

To me a mark is like the first note of a new song, for writers-the first letter of a new story, song, poem, the first stitch of a new embroidery, the first squeeze of the trigger for a photograph, the first stroke of the brush, the beginning of a creative voyage…

What is your mark? I would love to know…

Karen Wynne Mackay