A current thread of conversation among the calligraphic community has to do with the not yet professional, but always willing to criticize sometimes-practitioner of the lettering arts.
You’ll encounter a lot of these folk passing judgment on people’s work at street fairs and public displays.
The distinguishing line is that you’ll never see any of their work in public. They’ll never do show and tell and they will certainly never break a sweat trying to improve their skills.
Professionals and hobbyists that I have met in most disciplines have always been open, friendly and ready to share the things they do that have improved the level of their pleasure in their chosen activity.
Plus, they and their work demonstrate that they take their work and the results of their efforts seriously - but they are humble and always willing to learn.
Just look at the efforts of the Master Gardeners who will offer advice to folk who have fuschia and black thumbs.
Sharing comes naturally to people who love their art, even to a fault.
At one weekend calligraphers’ retreat I attended the final exercise was separating all the shared gear and gouache. I'd sure love to have my hand-made brass ruling pen back ... someone - out there !? It has the cherry handle. It's mine.
Teaching professionals are also fun and exciting people to be around. Their handouts, demonstrations and encouragement are always worth the investment of dollars and time we make when taking the classes.
I try to be that kind of teacher. I really try to give the people who take my classes much more than they have paid for - in information, samples and goodies. Our classes do run to the very end of the clock when the facility staff tells us it is time to go and there is an audible “Aw.” from the group. The 3 hours do fly. Then we flee.
No camera class this time - maybe starting AFTER Labor Day would have been a better idea.
Another reason for not being snobby is remembering that just 30 years ago I was a totally empty calligraphic pot. What I know I have been given and have learned through practice.
The few of us that helped gather and promote the Carolina Lettering Arts Society and the local Guild have been rewarded time and time again with help, insight and friendships.
I don’t remember a snobbyist in the group.
We still live to learn new tricks, techniques and refine our art.
That is the basis for the word “amateur” - LOVE.
From the Zanerian Manual: written by C.W. Norder.
Learning to do lettering is much like learning to skate. It's a show to see a fellow wrapping his feet around his neck and twisting his mouth around to his ear when he first goes out on the ice, and he'll even laugh at the show himself if he's a good sport. But in a few years, Oh, how graceful! Lettering same way. Except that doing good lettering is more fun than having a skate on. This stuff is not hard to do - only difficult. The first hundred years are the hardest; after that it's easy. I am now about 43, and I have it half digested.
By the way. To look at the work of some young amateurs from another field, visit the West Regional Library. The work of the winners of the Teen Photography Contest is on display there.
This year, due to circumstances beyond anyone’s control, it fell on me to judge the art on my own. It was not the most fun I ever had. However, I am happy with the results, as were the participants and the staff. It was good to meet the young photographers at the reception held in their honor and to talk with them about their pictures. I encouraged many of them to enter their work in the State Fair contest and the NC Wildlife magazine contest.
Those of us led by our hearts get carried away - but only with the best of intentions.
© tim http://www.timjohnsonphoto.com/
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