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| Susan written by © Anwa of OFAS |
I have wanted to learn Arabic calligraphy for a long time now. I think it is beautiful as an art form in both traditional and modern art. One of the best exhibitions I've been to in the last few years was a Sotherby's pre-sale exhibition featuring
Early Islamic, Ottoman and Contemporary calligraphic art in Doha December 2010. My first attempt was in February, and was posted on my facebook page, trying to copy a whole phrase Knowledge is Enlightenment.
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| First attempts by ©Sue Pownall Feb 2012 |
Whilst my membership application for the Oman Fine Art Society has only just been submitted (fingers & toes crossed for acceptance), twice I've been able to sit with their calligraphic group when they meet to practise and get guidance from more experienced members. The first time I was there, Anwa wrote my name as a gift (above) and it is now on my inspiration board.
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| Talk at calligraphy group OFAS ©Sue Pownall |
Impatient to run before I can walk I am finding repetition of my A, B, Cs (actually alaf, baa', taa') a struggle especially last night, my 2nd evening, when 2 men gave talks to the group in Arabic. Due to the talks there was not the interaction between the group members as they listened and I was left to keep repeating my letters. Consequently I started sketching, including sketching the letters on the chalk board.
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| Sketching takes over my pratice ©Sue Pownall |
Before I left, Anwa took my notebook, I thought to check my letters, and showed my sketches to the other girls and there was a lot of giggling as they recognised the people. She then told me to practise everyday. hmm that's as likely as my studying 3 times a week.
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oh this is really fun. Your name by Anwa is gorgeous! I am certain if I was where you were, I'd be wanting to take that calligraphy class too. Also on my long list of things I'd like to learn is Mandarin calligraphy. Your efforts look heroic, but I love the "doodles" of the people you are watching interspersed with your calligraphy work.
ReplyDeleteMimi Torchia Boothby Watercolors
Wow - This is an art in itself! It really is quite intricate. I wouldn't have the patience! :0)
ReplyDeleteIn college, I took Russian. I remember being a 20-something practicing the Cyrillic alphabet on a preschooler's lettering tablet. Humbling, that.
ReplyDeleteAnd you know, by the end of the semester, my Russian printing was quite nice--even though my handwriting is atrocious.
Your work is lovely. Thanks so much for sharing!
Mimi - when in Shanghai I watched a man practising writing in a temple with a long stick and water on the pavement. Love chinese typography, when it's done as art too.
ReplyDeleteSandra, I don't, like Joe said, I feel like a preschooler especially as I don't even know what the letters stand for - literally don't know my abc
Joe - welcome to my blog and thank you for your comments.
Beautiful work! Good luck with the application.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful new challenge! Such a beautiful alphabet!
ReplyDeleteSue, I love seeing ALL that you are up to. What a fine, fine person and artist you are.
ReplyDelete