Monday, March 6, 2017

My Reggie Year

This past weekend began the first of 6 weekends in a year-long workshop. 26 Seeds taught by Reggie Ezell. I'm both excited and nervous about this course. As calligraphers or lettering artists, there is no standard course here in the USA. We either learn on our own or through guilds, we take classes from master penmen and calligraphers. Some of the classes offer basic lettering instructions or variations of letter forms. Some classes are more artsy and don't involve lettering at all. We pick up our knowledge rather piecemeal. Sometimes learning to run before we thoroughly understand learning to crawl. The Reggie class is a back to basics, but also a chance for continuity with a logical progression.

I hope I can keep up. There's a ton of information to digest and an amazing amount of talent among the 22 students. There's an avalanche of homework. I'll do what I can. I have to remind myself I'm not in competition with anyone. It doesn't matter what rung of the experience ladder I'm on. Middle. Bottom. This course is a chance to push me in ways I've never been stretched. To learn and to hone my skills. To go back to school and learn the reasons why we do things the way we do. I'm old enough, now. 

12 comments:

  1. Sounds scary and wonderful all at once! Good luck, I'm sure you'll do well! But don't forget to enjoy the ride! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Enjoy the ride! Great advice. I think that will become my practice phrase

      Delete
  2. Good for you for taking this on, CJ.
    I have to remind myself of the same thing all the time. It's all about personal best:)
    Hugs,

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sometimes it's hard to shut that little, inner critic up. Good advice. Personal best and enjoy the ride.

      Delete
  3. I like to remind myself comparison is the thief of joy. Don't let anyone steal your thunder. Can't wait to hear all about it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Another great piece of advice. Comparison is the thief of joy.

      Delete
  4. CJ.....all the best; most importantly have fun and as da tabbies say; 18 centz anda sack oh friez sayz de other 22 R sayin de same thing ewe did ~~ ☺☺☺♥♥♥

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I will. Boomer, Daisy, and Tuna are so very wise. Thanks, Tabbies.

      Delete
  5. I can't wait to see what you do throughout the class CJ. I bet you will learn tons and improve your own skills, even if it seems like a lot right now. Hope you'll show us your work as you along. Hugs-Erika

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can't wait to see what I do, too, and of course, I'll share

      Delete
  6. Good for you! Sounds wonderful!! Will you show us what you do? I hope so! By the way, thank you for noticing the white plates on my post. Those are my mom's. She was going through things and I said, I want those!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I hope to be able to post homework and work done in class. I love old dishes. Nice that your mother gave them to you now.

      Delete