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The Tao of Calligraphy:Home
What is "the Tao of Calligraphy?"
Simply, "tao" is often used in popular literature to imply the "way" or the "path to follow" of something. The Tao itself, as described in Asian philosophy, has meaning of infinite depth. So I begin my discussion with a caveat: I am attaching a lot of meaning to my approach to art - perhaps more than I should - and I offer a humble bow to anyone who may feel that I am using this term lightly. That is not my intention.
Calligraphy, as defined in western literature, indicates a style of writing which addresses the aesthetic of letters, rather than simply being a writing system everyone uses to communicate. We now have computers, blackberries and other electronic means to convey words; so what is the attraction of the hand-written message?
Anyone who finds graphic design interesting will agree that there is power and mystery in the visual appearance of images beyond what we can type out as I am doing now. The attitude toward the craft of Calligraphy has evolved into a fine art form in Europe and Asia, where it has flourished for thousands of years. In conveying information amongst peoples, the professional scribe was sought after by kings and the lower classes alike; scribes were often the only literate individuals amongst a mostly illiterate populace.
Through the power of the internet and the ability to digitize just about everything, we can find images of messages written or carved into clay, stone, wax, wood and animal skins; much of this work was very finely done - as well as much that can be considered crude. Nevertheless, the people of the past recognized the power and magic of each letter, in whatever language and culture existed at that time. Talismans were made of runic symbols; some written in blood.
What I discovered at the beginning of my lettering journey was the long history associated with becoming a scribe. I came to accept that I had joined a time-honoured and highly skilled guild of craftspersons (yes, there were many women among these, although history has recorded only a few of them) and part of my duty to them was to constantly strive for quality and integrity in my work.
It is my hope on this site to introduce these skills, offer my thoughts and samples of my work and to challenge you to try it for yourself! My studies in calligraphy have extended to Asian brushwork and abstract painting; after more than 30 years of pursuing calligraphy, I am still studying and learning. The 'tao' for me is a lifelong path.....
Simply, "tao" is often used in popular literature to imply the "way" or the "path to follow" of something. The Tao itself, as described in Asian philosophy, has meaning of infinite depth. So I begin my discussion with a caveat: I am attaching a lot of meaning to my approach to art - perhaps more than I should - and I offer a humble bow to anyone who may feel that I am using this term lightly. That is not my intention.
Calligraphy, as defined in western literature, indicates a style of writing which addresses the aesthetic of letters, rather than simply being a writing system everyone uses to communicate. We now have computers, blackberries and other electronic means to convey words; so what is the attraction of the hand-written message?
Anyone who finds graphic design interesting will agree that there is power and mystery in the visual appearance of images beyond what we can type out as I am doing now. The attitude toward the craft of Calligraphy has evolved into a fine art form in Europe and Asia, where it has flourished for thousands of years. In conveying information amongst peoples, the professional scribe was sought after by kings and the lower classes alike; scribes were often the only literate individuals amongst a mostly illiterate populace.
Through the power of the internet and the ability to digitize just about everything, we can find images of messages written or carved into clay, stone, wax, wood and animal skins; much of this work was very finely done - as well as much that can be considered crude. Nevertheless, the people of the past recognized the power and magic of each letter, in whatever language and culture existed at that time. Talismans were made of runic symbols; some written in blood.
What I discovered at the beginning of my lettering journey was the long history associated with becoming a scribe. I came to accept that I had joined a time-honoured and highly skilled guild of craftspersons (yes, there were many women among these, although history has recorded only a few of them) and part of my duty to them was to constantly strive for quality and integrity in my work.
It is my hope on this site to introduce these skills, offer my thoughts and samples of my work and to challenge you to try it for yourself! My studies in calligraphy have extended to Asian brushwork and abstract painting; after more than 30 years of pursuing calligraphy, I am still studying and learning. The 'tao' for me is a lifelong path.....
yohaku |
Latest page update: made by yohaku
, May 19 2009, 4:33 PM EDT
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calligraphy
eastern calligraphy
learning calligraphy
mixed media
tao of calligraphy
western calligraphy
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