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Saint John's Bible & Ronald Searle illustrations

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Erica McPhee:
Hi Everyone,
We took an impromptu field trip to West Palm Beach to see the Saint John's Bible pages in person. I can't even describe to you all how beautiful they are. The prints and pictures of them just do not do them justice. They are absolutely spectacular to see in person. If you ever get the chance to see them on display, do it! They are magnificent!  :)

We also saw an exhibit of a children's poetry author named Robert L. Forbes. His poems are marvelous. His books (Beastly Feasts) are illustrated by Ronald Searle. They are really awesome! They have a calligraphic feel to them. He uses a pointed pen to do the sketches in black ink and then colors them with water color and sometimes colored pencil and crayon over them. They were really sweet!

We had so much fun! Sorry I am about 50 posts behind. Will catch up soon!

jafix:
I'll never forget when the Saint Johns Bible came to Omaha on it's first tour of the US.  It was the most well attended art exhibit EVER at our major museum, Joslyn. 

I made sure I was as close as I could get in the museum auditorium when Donald Jackson spoke.  One of the most eloquent, well spoken, charming and true gentlemen I've ever had the pleasure of listening to.  He brought tears to my eyes!  Almost tops the first time I saw U2 in concert:)

Now, I'm off to look up the children's poet you mentioned:)

Thanks for bringing back such a wonderful flashback for me:)

Jenny

Erica McPhee:
That sounds like it was wonderful Jenny! I wish I could have heard him speak! I took a four day workshop with Sue Hufton (one of the scribes) - she was wonderful!

Thanks for sharing!

Estefa:
I'd so love to see that Bible – it must be something. What a great opportunity for you, Erica! Were you able to see it up real close? It's always difficult to present such unique books at exhibitions …

Erica McPhee:
Yes - it was great! We could look at them very close up - they had them behind glass but they are rather large pages and you can get within inches of the pages. Photographs were not allowed, though. I have a few posters one of our guild members shared with us but they just don't do it justice. The colors are so vibrant and the gold just sparkles. The designs are absolutely amazing. I know I gush a lot about people's work but seeing these in person was just magnificent. One of the highlights of my calligraphy adventures so far. The lettering was just superb and so much of it. And the designs - the work involved is just mind boggling. It was very humbling and enlightening to see in person.  :)

They also had several bibles hand calligraphed from the 1500's and 1600's. They were mostly done in Gothic. You would have enjoyed it!

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