On September 12th I had the extreme pleasure of taking a pointed pen sketchbook class with the one and only Pat Blair! Pat Blair is a Master Penman and also the current chief calligrapher at the White House. When I found out that the Friends of Calligraphy were hosting her to teach a few classes, I jumped at the opportunity. I originally signed up to be in a 2-day Copperplate class, but was waitlisted pretty low, so when they opened up this sketchbook class I was more than thrilled to sign up.
Even though I've been practicing calligraphy for almost 4 years now, this workshop was actually my first real class. So far I have been self taught by reading books and watching videos online. This was also my first time meeting other calligraphers in real life, not just online. I have to say, the experience more than surpassed my expectations. Pat proved to be an excellent and approachable teacher, and I just loved being around other calligraphers, some of them practicing for more than 30 years! I really felt like I was around "my people". Calligraphers are really some of the most generous and kind people I have met.
Since this was a sketchbook class, it was really more about doodling and creating pictures and designs with the pointed pen rather than practicing letters. It was really fun and I feel like I learned a lot. Here is some of my work from that day:
Also, Friends of Calligraphy often holds classes at Fort Mason in San Francisco. Just being there near the water was so rejuvenating to me; it was nice to get away for a day and learn about something I love in such a beautiful location.
Pat also wrote our names on the front of all our folders. Look! Pat Blair wrote my name!
