More Progress

Once again I'm amazed at what this place has done for me.

Today as I began work I found myself feeling somewhat gloomy and I couldn't for the life of me think why. I was getting stuck in to a job that had been growing on me for weeks, but the feeling was like a malevolent tick. But suddenly it struck me. In the past I've worked in various roles, many of which I hadn't liked at the time. During these unpleasant hours I'd drifted off somewhere in my own head, just to get things done. I had begun to slink back into my old habits when I had no need to. There was no invisible Sword of Damocles, no other shoe to drop. Another pleasant day at work held no unpleasant surprises for me, and what unpleasant surprises there are in stonecarving are remarkably pleasant in comparison to anything else I've had to deal with before. As soon as I dropped my habitual defenses all was as it should be, and I experienced such a profound elation that it was difficult not to grin stupidly at an inanimate piece of stone.

Just a few days ago I had the privelege to hear Ewan Clayton deliver a lecture on an upcoming exhibition, and have since been siezed by an even madder enthusiasm for all things calligraphy. I met a great many kind and wonderful people as well, whose aquaintence I shall also treasure.

S

Progress Report

Since beginning this journey I am consistently amazed at the new wonders I'm experiencing every day.

For instance the Portuguese limestone I've been carving recently is hard and resistant to work, but comes up with beautiful crisp letters, and with enough depth and the right lighting the shadows within the cuts on the white stone are magnificent.

To cut to the chase I'm beginning to appreciate the different ways letters move in stone, and they do move. Spacing, depth, shape, all of these things contrive to create movement within meaning. A flow to the letters. I've seen good work done with more industrial methods like sandblasting, and for many jobs it's adequate, but even the best cannot in no way compete with the life imbued in hand cut lettering, and indeed this is what connoisseurs of good stonework are glad to pay for.

Once again I feel the need to extend my sincere thanks to the Lettering Arts Trust. I can never thank them enough for their benevolence and kindness in issuing me their Journeyman Grant, which has already allowed me to pay for an excellent calligraphy course with the famous Gaynor Goffe. My teacher has encouraged me to study calligraphy as it will aid my understanding of how letters move and flow and seem almost alive, which is one of the secrets to great lettering. I'll be going in April so there will be plenty to see here in the meantime, but I'll be sure to post my efforts when the time comes.

S