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Messages - Denise R

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1
Spencerian Script / Re: Why Spencerian?
« on: May 21, 2014, 02:41:30 PM »
Erica ~ that was just lovely! I can feel the love for the script in your words. Thank you!


Denise





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Spencerian Script / Re: Business Writing
« on: May 20, 2014, 01:55:06 PM »
Typing was a required subject in my school when I was in 8th grade. That was in the 60s. We also had to learn to use a 10-key, address envelopes and write checks. We were expected to type 60wpm, and we did.

My boys can write cursive, and both do. But it looks terrible. They weren't taught in school to pay proper attention and write legibly. The thought (late 80s) was that handwriting would be obsolete within a few years and was no longer important to learn. I required them to write reports by hand before the final version on the computer when I started homeschooling them in middle school. At first they complained, but before long they realized that it forced them to slow down and put more thought into what they were writing. And because of that their work was more thorough and seemed more complete. However, now that they're adults they've gone back to the hurried scrawl they "practiced" when they were young. In fact I've heard some people say they're proud of their scratched writing. Like speed is impressive, I guess.

For a student to not know what a signature is makes my skin crawl and my heart sink. But I've heard it many times before. Yes, tragic.


Denise

3
Spencerian is definitely more beautiful to my eyes, Ken. Copperplate is gorgeous, no doubt. But there's something in Spencerian that speaks to me on a different level. The more pronounced slant makes it look like it's about to take flight. The oval shapes appeals to me in a way that the round shape does not.

It seems like all of the examples that I see of Spencerian are smaller (x-height) than those of Copperplate. I haven't learned enough to know if that's by design, but I do know that I like that because it brings back warm memories of my grandmother's beautiful handwriting.

I suppose that one reason, maybe THE reason, that more people prefer Copperplate is because it is widely considered more beautiful. I can understand that, because I also find it beautiful to look at. But for some reason it doesn't do for me what Spencerian does.

In any event, anything written by you is wonderful. I look forward to your every post and hope to learn a lot from you. Actually, I'm already learning from you. Your work is so beautiful it just makes me want to practice that much more. Thank you!



Denise

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Spencerian Script / Re: Spencerian example
« on: May 20, 2014, 01:38:49 PM »
Ken, you're a mind reader! I was just saying in another thread that Spencerian Script is like music on a page. The beauty and gracefulness is awe-inspiring.

I love this quote, is it yours? I really like speaking of it as an accomplishment. It truly is.

Thank you so much for sharing this. I know I'm going to look at it over and over and over. Love!!!


Denise

5
Spencerian Script / Re: Writing spencerian letters
« on: May 20, 2014, 01:36:09 PM »
Schin, that's it! It's art!!!

Your work/art is exactly why I want to learn Spencerian. It's like music on paper, so beautiful and graceful. So full of life!

I especially love the green envelope. The color, the shape it takes on the paper, the graceful curve of every single letter, your beautiful hand. It truly is breathtaking!

Thank you so much for sharing this. Absolutely inspirational. Exactly what I needed today!!!


Denise

6
Spencerian Script / Re: Why Spencerian?
« on: May 20, 2014, 01:31:45 PM »
You captured it beautifully, Schin! It's so graceful, sometimes it can nearly bring tears to my eyes. I think of it as art, not merely communication.

It's been a long time since I've wanted to grasp something so perfectly, so completely. I love learning new things in my 50s, and to take on something that requires a long term commitment is exhilarating!

No, you're definitely not the only one who feels this way! And people think I'm nuts regardless of what I'm talking about, so I'm good there :)

7
Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: Slow
« on: May 20, 2014, 01:26:06 PM »
Ha! I wasn't going to use the word addicting, but it absolutely is! I think Moya hit the nail on the head. We don't get to talk about this stuff in real life. At least conversationally. I talk to my husband and sons, but their eyes glaze over and they don't respond.

I'm going to try to post a couple times a day, and participate in different areas. There's so much to learn in each one!


Denise

8
Spencerian Script / Why Spencerian?
« on: May 20, 2014, 12:30:45 AM »
I've noticed that there are many members who are interested in Copperplate and Modern Calligraphy, as well as others, and the interest in Spencerian seems rather small by comparison.

Why do you like Spencerian? Is it one of several hands that you've learned? Where did you first learn about it?

The calligraphy books I've found in stores make no mention of it at all. I first saw Spencerian online, although I don't remember where. I just know that I instantly fell in love with it and knew that I had to learn it.

I think I'm drawn to the oval shapes and the slant. It looks so neat and organized. Maybe that has to do with being a system, rather than a typical alphabet, as I understand it. I know that I'm drawn to it strongly enough that I've made a commitment (to myself) to put in the time to learn it properly and thoroughly. It's obvious that the amount of time this takes will not be insignificant!

Looking forward to learning from all of you and seeing more of your work,
Denise

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Open Flourish | General Discussion / Slow
« on: May 20, 2014, 12:19:11 AM »
The forum is kind of slow today :(

Tomorrow I'll be practicing, practicing, practicing ~ thanks in part to the excellent practice tips and inspiration I've found here. When I allow myself time to check in, I hope I'm pleasantly surprised with tons of new posts to feed my new addiction, the place where people talk about all things calligraphy.

It would be especially exciting if there were new posts on the Spencerian board. I think somewhere in the range of 30-50 new threads would be nice! It seems that Spencerian is the least busy area here, but I've enjoyed every single thing I've read there. Now I'll try to do my part, ask some questions, get some pictures of my practice sheets up.

Do all new members sound this desperate for conversation, news and information about their obsession?


Denise

10
Suggestions & Ideas / Re: Anyone ever said this to you?
« on: May 19, 2014, 12:21:10 AM »
While I'm truly sorry for your experience, Brad, I'm so glad that you started this thread. The responses have been thoughtful and wonderful and funny and sad.

I've read quite a few good threads tonight, I've learned some things of value, I've gotten a peek at the lives of some people I hope to call "Friend" one day. But this particular thread has really struck a chord with me, as it obviously has with many others.

Even at this early stage I get looks of bewilderment from people who think I must have way too much time on my hands. And I haven't even shown anyone my practice sheets (which are all I've done so far). Just bringing up things like oblique pen holders, Nikko G nibs and Spencerian Script being a system..............yeah, people roll their eyes. I imagine it would and will hurt more deeply when I'm able to show someone something I've worked long and hard on, to be met with negativity and lack of understanding. Especially if that person is my father, as it probably will be. Guess I should steel myself in advance.

I'm 58 years old, but I've been very sensitive about my terrible handwriting since 2nd grade (long and very boring story), and learning Spencerian is a way of attempting to overcome that. BONUS ~ finding this forum has been amazing, and much cheaper than therapy :-)

Thank you for opening yourself up and sharing a painful experience. You've made an already excellent forum a better place tonight.


Denise

11
Ken, I'm just starting to learn Spencerian. I mean just BARELY starting. Keeping and dating practice sheets and selecting the best for a scrapbook is a truly wonderful idea!

I was thinking of keeping all of my practice sheets for a while, but it didn't take long to realize that looking through page after page of my very first attempts is actually rather discouraging (and a little comical), rather than an encouraging record of progress.

Tomorrow I'm going to do just what you've mentioned. That would be about 11 minutes from now :-)

Thanks!


Denise

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Suggestions & Ideas / Re: Public announcement
« on: May 18, 2014, 11:44:32 PM »
Best. Thread. Ever.

:-)



Denise

13
Excellent advice ~ very practical and thorough.

Two things that really grabbed me are "Avoid the strong temptation to move onto words until all the letters look right" and Moya's quote, "Better thirty minutes of GOOD practice than three hours of scribble."

These should both be framed and hanging over my desk!


Denise

14
Coffee & Nib-bles / Re: Where in the World?
« on: May 17, 2014, 05:52:02 PM »
Grand Rapids, Michigan

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Show & Tell / Re: Copperplate with metallic inks
« on: May 17, 2014, 04:37:08 PM »
Wow, so beautiful! I've seen metallic inks in our local art supply store, but the thought never appealed to me. If they had a marketing sign with your work, they wouldn't be able to keep it in stock!

If my script is ever half as good as your, Ken, I'll be thrilled to pieces ~ no matter what kind of ink is on the nib!


Denise

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