ARABIC CALLIGRAPHY DESIGN

Cleaning your Pilot Parallel Pen

3:54 PM

I recently had a question from Anonymous on cleaning pens, so I’m linking to a recipe for Pen & Brush cleaner which I found on Mary Lawler’s blog. I normally clean my nibs by soaking them in solution of glass cleaner (which contains ammonia) and water. This looks like a stronger version of that, which I’ll try if I have a major pen problem. Another option is Spray Nine, which works really well when a strong pen cleaner is needed.

Also, Anonymous, take your Pilot Parallel pen apart as far as possible... that means right down to pulling out the two metal plates which form the nib. Soak the parts, then rinse and reassemble. Should work.

Another reader also suggested using a ultrasonic cleaner, which I haven't yet tried, but which sounds great.

More Malik

7:41 AM

For those visitors who listened to our CBC radio interview, here’s a direct link to the pages of Malik Anas, who continues to produce amazing contemporary Iraqi calligraphy.

Monograms

3:53 PM

I’ve been creating monograms lately ... using the 6.0mm Pilot Parallel pen and my favorite colour of J.Herbin ink, “Ambre de Birmanie”. Some letters are just so much fun! Like N and K.

On Air!

3:37 PM

Sheryl Mackay, host of CBC Radio’s “North by Northwest” program tells me our “calligraphy conversation” will be on-air tomorrow just after the 7:00 news. So if you’re up at that hour, tune in!

Summer’s over... back to work

3:09 PM

Okay, so I’ve been neglecting this blog! Blame it on the sunshine, the lure of a Canadian summer... maybe too much time spent on facebook or youtube...

Anyway, summer is pretty much over, so I’ll start sharing some of the new links and work I’ve discovered. Let's start with the interesting work of Nikheel Aphale (not Nikhil!) of New Delhi, India. His blog felt so familiar to me... and I love his pieces which combine photography and calligraphy, like this.

Letters in the blood?

6:13 PM

This weekend, I will be exploring my roots: heading east to meet with my family in Ontario, then south to a family reunion in Carlisle, PA, where I was born. I hope to learn a bit more about one of my ancestors: John Bear (1761-1836) who was a scrivener in Berks County, PA. Some of his documents are stored in the Pennsylvania State Archives in Harrisburg.

Which leaves me wondering: this strange interest in letters I have — which seems quite out of place compared to the interests of other members of my family(!) — does it possibly run in the blood? I wonder if any other calligraphers out there have discovered a link to an earlier scribe? Would love to hear from you if you have.

Calligraphy on CBC Radio...

9:37 PM

On Saturday (05/31/08), I head to Vancouver to speak with Sheryl Mackay of CBC's North by Northwest radio program. I’m not sure when our taping will air, but it could be as soon as Sunday morning. I’ll post it here as soon as I know... ! [Link]