~THE MISUNDERSTOOD CHILD~

I am the child that looks healthy and fine.
I was born with ten fingers and toes.
But something is different, somewhere in my mind,
And what it is, nobody knows.
.
I am the child that struggles in school,
Though they say that I’m perfectly smart.
They tell me I’m lazy — can learn if I try –
But I don’t seem to know where to start.
.
I am the child that won’t wear the clothes
Which hurt me or bother my feet.
I dread sudden noises, can’t handle most smells,
And tastes — there are few foods I’ll eat.
.
I am the child that can’t catch the ball
And runs with an awkward gait.
I am the one chosen last on the team
And I cringe as I stand there and wait.
.
I am the child with whom no one will play –
The one that gets bullied and teased
I try to fit in and I want to be liked,
But nothing I do seems to please.
.
I am the child that tantrums and freaks
Over things that seem petty and trite.
You’ll never know how I panic inside,
When I’m lost in my anger and fright.
.
I am the child that fidgets and squirms
Though I’m told to sit still and be good.
Do you think that I choose to be out of control?
Don’t you know that I would if I could?
.
I am the child with the broken heart
Though I act like I don’t really care.
Perhaps there’s a reason I’m made this way –
Some message I’m sent to share.
.
For I am the child that needs to be loved
And accepted and valued too.
I am the child that is misunderstood.
I am different – but look just like you.

~ Kathy Winters.

So we have 9 verses of 4 lines. The first thing to establish is the format. One row? Two rows of four with one centred under? Or the one we decided on, three rows of three? Having decided this and bearing in mind time and budget constraints we agreed that a black italic script with gold and blue title and versals was the way to go. Using my preferred method of line spacing, see Workshop and Hints and Tips, It was an easy job to write out the longest line, x height 1/8″, on a piece of scrap to establish the complete width required, 26″, and write the text with a fine italic nib and roughly pencilled capitals on to a nice new sheet of Fabriano watercolour paper.

Remember, two clicks to magnify each picture.

Then with double pencils shaved down so that the tips were just 1/16″ apart, the title was written in after first being roughed out on a piece of scrap. A rough chain marked in to the gaps between verses then all drawn in with gold acrylic and filled with Coerulium blue.  Lastly the authors name and my mark added.

Then with help from my friends at Ezeframe, a nice frame and mount.

All this was worked out between the client, (Sue), and myself by Email so it was good, at last to meet when delivering the piece and to know that she approved of the overall effect. I have since heard that the recipient found it “stunning”.

Thank you both. It has been a thought provoking exercise in more ways than one.

Keep watching this Space.

Here’s an excerpt:

Madison Square Garden can seat 20,000 people for a concert. This blog was viewed about 69,000 times in 2013. If it were a concert at Madison Square Garden, it would take about 3 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

Wishing you all a Happy, Healthy, Prosperous & Peaceful New Year.

 Wishing you all

A Very Happy Christmas.

This time I have changed the scale massively from the usual Calligradoodle          x height of 1″, to 8″. The marker points, (nib), set to 2″.                                            As usual, the whole thing was written and filmed in one take, with no editing, so there may be some small anomalies but I hope that teamed with all the previous worksheets and templates at  Lesson 1, and at Luton Calligraphy Workshops 1, it helps to make this most important step in the journey much easier to grasp .

Filmed at Luton Irish Forum Calligraphy Group by Peter Moss.

Don’t forget to PPP and keep watching this space.

Cheers.

Cheers.

Since completing the series of Workshops at Luton Museum, I have had numerous enquiries about when, or if, they might be repeated. Or, perhaps, if there might be evening sessions somewhere. I have floated a few ideas with Luton Culture and will post any response here.

The future of the Wardown Park Museum has been, and still is a concern for the community and for those in the surrounding countryside. The Museum Makers enterprise, recently begun by Luton Culture, could just be the impetus needed to bring in a bit of creativity and muscle  to help the already hard working staff and volunteers.

Meanwhile, many thanks to the staff at Luton Irish Forum who have bent over backwards to provide us with a beautifully equipped room in which to set up the Luton Irish Forum Calligraphy Group. This link is to a Facebook group page which is open only to members, where we can show our work for evaluation, edification, and of course, for fun. This very informal group meets every Tuesday evening from 7 – 9 pm. All are welcome. Come along for a taster session if you are not sure what to expect.  If you are a beginner, what better way of learning, than working alongside those who are more advanced, and if you are experienced or even a master, your skills would be invaluable to us all.

If you are a visitor to the town pop in to say hello and join us for a session or two.

I am looking forward to meeting some more local scribes and to promoting the use of GOOD lettering skills into the future.

DIRECTIONS to LIF :-  Coming from Station Road, or Round Green, proceed along Hitchin Road to Brunswick Road roundabout, then turn into the municipal car-park. Then through the gate into the LIF car-park.

If you have any questions or advice, please use the comments box.

Cheers.

Keep watching this space.