Note: Click to enlarge images
Here are two paintings that are part of a series on women’s rights. I am not sure they are what you want. If not just delete them. — Kathleen
Here is one of my headings for a recent day of the week in my daily journal that I mentioned that I do. If you have never tried lettering, do give it a go! And share it with us. If you are an expert in calligraphy, we would love to see that too. I find that when I take the time to letter a quote artistically, it sinks into me more. —Lynn
I was inspired by the bravery of June to jump in and just do. Started with torn paper in layers.
“What was I thinking?
We are powerless over far more things in life than we realize.
In the very beginning of our lives
we are powerless over
our own conception,
birth, and nurturing
And still,
By the will and grace
of God and others,
we grow and mature.
So too, at the very end of our lives
we are powerless over much
And still
we trust, that in our weakness
we will be loved enough
by enough people
and our God,
that we will be
born into new life
in heaven, and
gathered into our
Heavenly Family.
If God can make dry bones stand up and walk, imagine what he can do with and for everyone that has blossomed for a time on this earth?
Though we are powerless
Our God and Savior is all powerful!
This is what we learn by being still
in our times of powerlessness.
This is a beautiful reminder for me,
and I hope it is for you too.”
LETTERING
For many years I copied text in Russian that I did not fully understand, but was able to guess its meaning based on the image. In particular, magnificent lettering on icons can be found in the Russian, Slavonic and Greek languages. The text is not always legible, using upper and lower case with letters being distorted or abbreviated, making reading the words challenging. One of the main components concerning text is that the lettering influences the beauty of the icon. Take time to look at many examples closely as you approach designing the lettering for your own icon. When choosing the lettering language, consider the icon’s final home and who will see it.
When you design lettering, there are a few tricks you can remember for making them more interesting. Consider running the letters together, like in Hebrew or writing them backwards. Try changing the case size, using two colors, or writing vertically rather than horizontally. Like me, you may be a collector of images and ideas. I have an extensive library of icon books to use for reference and inspiration. I also create reference cards to store details and styles.
The two Mary icons I have used the biblical text as the background. I found that while gazing at an icon, the text can help the viewer focus on an idea that may not be immediate in the mind. Reading a short message can add to the experience of looking at sacred art.
— Mary Jane Miller
Iconography is a Visual Language: A to Z Symbolism and Meaning
