Calligraphy & Artwork
I learned calligraphy at a young age and taught at the University of Waterloo for a number of years. I made detailed studies of the history of letterform and the development of writing styles, which I wrote about in my first book for young people, Writing: A Fact and Fun Book. In my calligraphic art, I work with line, colour, texture and form to interpret words and meaning.
Fragments of the Leaves of Grass, 2003
A series of 12 pieces, excerpts from Whitman's "Leaves of Grass". The pieces were made using barn board from a barn that was built at approximately the same time that Whitman was writing. They incorporate Japanese and paste papers, grasses, leaves and other natural items.
3-dimensional pieces.
"At the End" is a series of boxes, containing excerpts from The Four Quartets, by T.S. Elliot. I enjoy creating stage-like environments where the viewer gets only glimpses of words, an impression of a thought.
"Song of the Rolling Earth", with text by Walt Whitman, is a book created with barn board and paste paper that explores the sculptural nature of books.
Pieces on Paste Paper
"Paste Paper" is a paper decoration technique that uses wheat paste and dyes to strengthen and decorate paper. Originally used in books for end papers, I use it both from creating book covers and as an expressive medium to translate movement on the page.
