Inky
I’ve had a long relationship with ink. Maybe as long as thread. We were not allowed to use ballpoint pens in my Catholic grade school to learn penmanship. We had to use fountain pens because they required less pressure, supposedly allowing our letters to flow more evenly. We all had Schaefer fountain pens with cartridges. I loved them. I took penmanship very seriously.
I studied calligraphy briefly but only in an adult ed class. That was back in Napa, California. Must have been 1978-80 timeframe. I used to practice, but had the self-defeating feeling that I’d never become as accomplished as “real” calligraphers, so I let it go.
But it keeps cropping up. I’m currently taking an online class from Suzanne Moore via Book Paper Thread called “Painted Speech.” It’s been challenging but feels exactly right for me. The letterforms are supposed to be free and distorted! My specialty! It’s a very inky process but my skill at controlling the blobs is improving.
The word shown here is “solarpunk.” I just recently heard this word for the first time and I love everything about it. This Yes magazine article (also linked below) relates the word to “painting the positive future.”
Why “Solarpunk†Gives Me Hope for a More Sustainable Future, by Sarah Lazarovic
I too loved fountain pens, but never had the kind of instruction that enabled me to love my penmanship … Painted Speech looks like a wondrous way to break free of such self-criticism … better yet, it looks like great fun
I don’t remember penmanship class, but I must have had it. I do remember my fountain pen though, fiddling with the little cartridges. I hope I can carry the fun of the class forward after it’s over in two weeks.
i love ink, still have a bit of dad’s india ink
When I think of ink as really strong dye, it becomes even more interesting! I’m going to make some from plants.
my father gave a fountain pen for High School Graduation. I loved them….but then…the kind you dip into the ink bottle to fill…that
little “lever” on the side to draw ink in. and bottles of ink….
From very young, he taught me by Palmer Method. Interesting to think about this, it’s the only thing he did with me. ever. I wonder
what it meant to him?
That is a precious memory, Grace.