Cover Art

[K-2]

The University of Minnesota Duluth Alumni Office just published my drawing of Andrew F. Hilyer on the cover of the February Newsletter celebrating Black History Month!

"Andrew Hilyer was born into slavery in Georgia in 1858. Hilyer arrived in Minneapolis and enrolled at the University of Minnesota in 1878, graduated in four years with a B.A., and in doing so became the university’s first Black alumnus. His life’s distinguished journey led him to the nation’s capital to earn a law degree from Howard University, serve the federal government, found the Union League of the District of Columbia, and invent a hot-air register which was a mainstay of the time."

This image is drawn from a photograph of Hilyer published in 1902.

[Zivio]

Beautiful portrait and story!

[TeresaS]

Congrats!  Very nice!

[AnasaziWrites]

Outstanding. Big congrats.

[Erica McPhee]

Fantastic! Congrats!!!

[darrin1200]

Congratulations K-2. Your beautiful work deserves the recognition and to be shown to the world.

[K-2]

Thanks so much for your kind thoughts, @AnasaziWrites @Erica McPhee @Zivio @TeresaS @darrin1200 @Gary -- I'm always a little self-conscious posting random drawings to the forum, since it's supposed to focus on calligraphy.  So here's a look at the the ink, which is actually formulated and marketed as a fountain pen ink: Wearingeul's "Queen of Hearts" from the Alice in Wonderland line.  Here's my swatch card, plus some writing samples and a close-up of the beautiful gold shimmer.  I bought specifically because it features the University of Minnesota colors, maroon & gold.  The blackletter texts are done at x=10mm with a Pilot Parallel 3mm fountain pen nib; the italics are done with a No.1 Mitchell witch pen. Text on Rhodia dot-grid paper. Swatch on Col-O-Ring paper.

[Cyril Jayant]

@K-2 . Lovely  story K-2 and thank you for sharing your talents!!
Congrats on your your work publishing too.

[K-2]

Thanks for your good thoughts, everyone!  Here's another drawing from the University of Minnesota Black History Month series: Josie Johnson (b.1930), a ferocious advocate for equity in housing, education, and voting rights, became the first African American Regent of the University of Minnesota in 1971. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josie_R._Johnson

[tiffany.c.a]

Both are wonderful portraits. Congrats! Thanks for sharing and for the history lessons. 

[Zivio]

... I'm always a little self-conscious posting random drawings to the forum, since it's supposed to focus on calligraphy ...

Against such things there is no law. And just in case there was, I checked the description for the "Show & Tell" topic area on the forum, and I quote:

"The place to show us your beautiful work and tell us all about it."

Your work is astoundingly beautiful, and your descriptions just make it all that much more enjoyable. Please do keep showing and telling!

~Karl

[K-2]

@Zivio - you make me blush.  What a compliment.  Thank you too, @tiffany.c.a @Cyril Jayant @Erica McPhee for your latest shows of support.  Here's another portrait in the series - Harry Oden (BA 1964; MEd 1980) - Hall of Famer, Educator, Humanitarian: the first African American basketball player ever recruited at the University of Minnesota; the first black starter on any UMN team. https://news.d.umn.edu/articles/harry-oden-2022; https://cehsp.d.umn.edu/articles/125-harry-oden
* drawing from a 1965 photo - and I'm pleased to say that Harry was tickled by his portrait when we shared it with him.

[Erica McPhee]

Gorgeous!

[Zivio]

I've enjoyed your contributions to Black History Month very much! These portraits all have contributed justly-earned homage to these individuals and their stories. How wonderful, too, that Harry Oden was able to see your work! I understand Josie Johnson is still alive ... maybe someone will find way to make your art available to her.

[KacyBG]

Congratulations!!! Beautiful work!!!!