Anne Elser

Left Handed Hourglass Adjustable Oblique Pen Holder!

2012-02-01T11:13:00.003-05:00

Many of my copperplate calligraphy students have lamented over the fact that there is a serious lack of beautiful wooden hand turned oblique pen holders available for those who favor the left hand.

I have good news!

Last week a left-handed student arrived in my class with a beautiful wooden Hourglass Adjustable Oblique holder for the left hand. I about fell over. She purchased it from Paper & Ink Arts but had to send them an email requesting the left handed version, as they do not offer this pen on line. (The link above is the right handed pen.Make sure to call them or email to specifically ask for the left handed pen.)

This is fabulous news. While this penholder is not cheap ($40.95) I DO think it's an honorable and wise investment, as there is nothing quite like writing/drawing with a tool that's well-made and with natural materials. Valentine's Day is right around the corner and your fingers deserve a luxury once in a while. :)

If you order this pen, also order some walnut ink crystals, while you're at it. The two work beautifully together, especially when used on beautiful paper. Try a sheet of Arches hot press water color paper and watch your heart swoon.

Thank you Paper & Ink Arts!

Item # hourgl

Description - This beautiful and functional holder features a waterproof, wood/resin handle for many years of use, a comfortable hourglass handle and the versatile adjustable flange which hold all nibs securely. Thanks to Joe Vitolo for suggesting that we combine the best qualities of our Oblique Holders and for his advice on how to set the angle of this terrific holder! Joe recommends it highly! Rosewood color. (Nib not included.)

From Nib to Brush with Barbara Calzolari

2012-01-31T07:59:00.001-05:00

Friends! Barbara Calzolari is coming to Atlanta again this summer (August 2012) for an even more fabulous workshop in Pointed Pen Variation - this time with a twist. She's showing us how to use the brush as if it were performing as a nib. She's uploaded many short videos of this technique with a Pentel Brush Pen (and many other tools) and they're all fascinating to watch.

Her workshop is a long and mighty three days long, that begins with a lecture called Passion for Calligraphy on Thursday evening (which you can purchase separately if you can't attend the workshop.) She is an amazing calligrapher, whose work has been broadened profoundly by life experience. Grace, movement, and strength are the three things that stand out when I feel through her work and watch her in action. She creates a "living letter" with hands connected by the same.

To sign up for this class, read the information below and if you've got any questions, please contact either me (anne@anneelser.com) or Jacob Gunter (jacob@bindersart.com), the Education Director at Binders.

The class is geared toward the advanced beginner or intermediate advanced. This means you'll need to have had a solid introduction to copperplate or anything pointed pen. There are classes all over Atlanta in the pointed pen (copperplate, spencerian, etc) and I'd have at least taken one of these classes before you take Barbara's Nib to Brush.

Here are a couple classes taught by me that are still available for registration:

Calligraphy 2: Copperplate (EVE)

Calligraphy 2: Copperplate (DAY)

And if you go to the FOTA (Atlanta Friends of the Alphabet) website, you'll find a many great links to classes offered all over the city at your disposal. We are a strong group of friends and calligraphers who all have something beautiful to offer.

If you'd like to take part in Barbara's daily inspiration, friend her on Facebook, tell her you've signed up for her class, and watch your newsfeed come to LIFE. By the time August rolls around, you'll be ready to take the deep plunge into her soulful world and you'll be changed forever!

From Nib to Brush 8/2 (ARTZ1188)

From Nib to Brush with Barbara Calzolari

Advanced Beginner to Intermediate| Price: $190 (includes demo)

Course fee is not refundable unless another student can take your space

Registration Deadline: July 12 | Min. 10/ Max. 15ARTZ1188 |

Thurs. Evening Lecture: Passion for Calligraphy, 6 - 8pm |

Workshop: Fri. - Sun. Aug. 3 - 5, Fri. & Sat. 10am - 6:30pm, Sun. 11am - 5pm

Variation on Pointed Pen with Italian calligrapher Barbara Calzolari will be a once in a lifetime opportunity, not to be missed! Delve into the understanding of lines that become letters with pencil, letters with the oblique pen holder and nibs, focus on words...spacing between them, space between lines and how to give power to a simple text. Look at the object that can live a second life with our writing. Why not inside a coat, on a cigar box, on the pillow or your cat? Calligraphy can be wherever you envision it to be! Learn how to write with a round brush and ink to fit your desired surface. Celebrate your new found expressions at the end of class with merriment and presentation of your work!

Illuminated Letters Beauty Shots

2012-01-30T10:07:00.004-05:00

Illuminated Letters

Watching the slideshow was beautiful - especially seeing the look of awe in the faces of viewers. There's a performance on both sides and I felt every ounce of good will offered from the other side of the pen.

Thank you, Minh Doan for such beautiful work.

Work from FOTA's Calligraphic Performance Event: Illuminated Letter

2012-01-28T09:07:00.001-05:00

I had four uninterrupted hours of fun during FOTA's first Illuminated Letter event and MAN, did I enjoy myself. Here's some of the work I did! Will post the complete photos of these pieces after I've scanned them in. Also writing an article about the event soon with the help of my fine FOTA friends. What an amazing group of people we have there. :)

A beautiful Anais Nin quote about friendship and how it broadens us. I really went to town on her signature.

From Mark Strand's poem "The Garden."

Detail flourish from Mark Strand's "The Coming of Light."

From Mark Strand's "The Garden."

One of my all time and current favorite phrases, "Pimp my downstroke." Don't know if I've heard it somewhere, but I can't get it out of my head! Oh baby! There were a few fellow calligraphers there that night who got a good chuckle out of it. Tee hee.

From Mark Strand's poem " Giving Myself Up." Again, I think it's about surrender. The sleeve if my voice is his metaphor used to describe his throat. SO BEAUTIFUL.

From Mark Strand's "The Dress." I think it's a piece about surrendering to the creative process.

Illuminated Letters tomorrow night!

2012-01-25T12:34:00.003-05:00

Don't forget to drop by tomorrow afternoon from 3:30-7:30 for Atlanta's first Calligraphic Performance Event! I will be demonstrating among a fine group of talented, soulful calligraphers.

January Calligraphy Performance Event, “Illuminated Letters”, puts artistic handwriting in the spotlight

The Atlanta Calligraphy Guild, Friends of the Alphabet, will be staging a calligraphic performance on Thursday, January 26th, from 3:30 to 7:30pm, downtown at Trinity United Methodist Church, 265 Washington Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303

The event, called “Illuminated Letters,” will feature 20 calligraphers demonstrating 20 different calligraphic styles, or “hands,” as visitors are able to walk through and view the artists in action. Presented in a spot-lit and silent setting, the performance hopes to focus on the act of writing itself, drawing attention to the power, vitality, and variety of the letterforms.

With the onset of the digital age, handwriting is now often more art form than everyday activity. Highly stylized handwriting, known as Calligraphy, has expressions found in places as diverse as on wedding invitations, in typographic design, in consumer product labeling, and in tattoo artistry.

The featured calligraphers will demonstrate many styles including Italic, ornate Copperplate and Spencerian scripts, Celtic “Uncial”, Hebraic, and Gothic hands. They will also use various media used in modern and traditional manuscripts such as animal vellum, quill pens, illumination, and gilding. Modeled on similar events occurring in Germany and Japan, this art evening is organized purely to draw attention to the aesthetic and athletic beauties of artistic lettering. Information will be available on all demonstrated styles, as well as guides to area calligraphers and calligraphy instruction.

The event is secular and free to the public. Friends of the Alphabet encourages anyone interested in the beauty of handwritten letterforms to come and enjoy this unusual experience.

ABOUT FRIENDS OF THE ALPHABET

The Atlanta Calligraphy Guild, Friends of the Alphabet, is a group of people who share an interest in the history and techniques of the written letter. The group meets on the second Monday of each month at Trinity United Methodist Church, from 7:00 to 9:00 with a program presented at each meeting. The guild also hosts workshops taught by national and internationally renowned instructors.

For more information on this event and the guild in general, see the website – friendsofthealphabet.org – or call 678-463-7500.

OR:

Emily Canter

678-463-7500

info@friendsofthealphabet.org

New Italic Calligraphy class Beginning Feb. 2, 2012

2012-01-23T17:35:00.003-05:00

Hi friends,

The Italic evening class scheduled to begin this Wednesday night (January 25th, 2012) has been filled. There's a waiting list that has gotten large enough for us to consider creating a new class that will begin next Thursday, February 2nd, 2012. We just need to fill a couple more seats for it to make. Spread the word!

To sign up, contact Jacob Gunter at Jacob@bindersart.com.

Here are the official dates the class would meet and following that is a course description.

February 2, 9, 16, 23 and March 1 & 8.

The Italic calligraphic hand is one of the most widely used and versatile alphabets around. It is highly legible and can easily be dressed up or down. Italic is the perfect hand to learn for the beginning calligrapher yet versatile enough to experiment with for the advanced.

During the six week course, students will be given handouts and guide sheets, learning the upper and lower case characters. We will also address spacing and layout for addressing envelopes.

Calligraphy is less about pretty handwriting, but more about DRAWING each and every letter. Its about establishing a pacing and rhythmic motion as you write - giving you a consistency of shapes and letters, and spaces in between words and lines. It is highly relaxing and meditative. Like yoga for the hands.

White on Sparkle!

2012-01-17T13:14:00.000-05:00

Doing escort cards today. This calligraphic hand (upright copperplate) is penned in Dr. Martin's White India Ink upon a metallic stock called Burnt Sugar from Envelopments.

Have heard that metallic stock can be difficult to work with - but this stock has just enough tooth and spring to give the ink something to grab onto. Did not have to spray these with workable fix, as I thought.

Chalk Bubble

2012-01-14T13:05:00.002-05:00

These coffee mugs from World Market come in either white or red. One side is a black unglazed speech bubble onto which you can write or draw anything with the two pieces of white chalk that come inside the cup. GREAT idea - especially for an artist/calligrapher. Bravo!

Anne Elser: Binding the Belgian Book

2012-01-06T10:08:00.001-05:00

Friends! Currently finishing up an 8.5 x 11 Secret Belgian Bound Book. Lined pages, about 8-10 signatures, covered with washi paper from the Paper Source and pages from a large print vintage copy of Treasure Island. The cover button is my own made a couple years ago when I couldn't get enough of sculpey.

There are descriptions of each stage of the process in the file names of the photos you see. But I will write a complete instruction manual for this book to accompany the photos soon. Right now, the pictures will have to do.

I think I will keep this journal for myself. Very excited!

Signature 1 completed: started from the bottom at the tail,
left a 3 inch tail we'll use later to tie off with at the end of sig 2

Head of Sig 1, looping around top station before attaching sig 2.

Scooting Sig 1 down the Spine

Head of Sig 2.

Belting stations to inner lacing within spine

Tying off sig 2 to sig 1's tail

Animated Calligraphy

2012-01-04T22:48:00.000-05:00

Nice, huh? Did this for Brunner. Fun, fun, fun!
Audio clip from the Pride & Prejudice Soundtrack. Beautiful stuff!

A Gazillion Dollars

2012-01-04T11:37:00.000-05:00

My new "Gazillion Dollars" James Victore t-shirt!
What Anne Elser Calligraphy will be making in 2012.
http://www.zazzle.com/one_gazillion_dollars_tshirt-235441773981077082

Calligraphic Performance Event: Illuminated Letters 2012

2012-01-01T15:07:00.000-05:00

Friends! I will be demonstrating Flourishing and copperplate/pointed pen variations at this event. So excited!

January Calligraphy Performance Event, “Illuminated Letters”, puts artistic handwriting in the spotlight

The event is secular and free to the public. Friends of the Alphabet encourages anyone interested in the beauty of handwritten letterforms to come and enjoy this unusual experience.

ABOUT FRIENDS OF THE ALPHABET

For more information on this event and the guild in general, see the website – friendsofthealphabet.org – or call 678-463-7500.

OR:

Emily Canter

678-463-7500

info@friendsofthealphabet.org

January Italic Calligraphy & Bookbinding classes

2012-01-01T14:21:00.001-05:00

New Anne Elser classes beginning this month!

Calligraphy Supply Lists & Links

Calligraphy Supply Lists & Links

*7 seats left Bookmaking 1: Beginning Bookmaking (EVE) Tuesdays, 6 sessions|Jan 24-Feb 28|6-8:30 PM|Sale price for early enrollment: $190, Regular Price: $205|Min. 3/Max.7|Location: Atlanta, Georgia - Binders Art Supply

Bookmaking Supply Lists & Links

Calligraphic iPhone Case

2011-12-21T06:00:00.000-05:00

This year's xmas card now has a new home in the back of my iPhone. I bought this Griffin iPhone 4 Reveal Case because it had the largest, most transparent back and protects the beautiful calligraphy beneath.

I should really start selling these, no?!

See? I'm NOT crazy.

2011-12-20T06:28:00.000-05:00

“She makes these like needlework embroideries on set in the tedium of filming”, says MacFadyen, “but they are all: ‘You Are a Cunt’. And she gives them as presents. And it’s Dame Judi Dench. And she is doing this beautifully, intricate, ornate (work). You kind of see the work materializing as the shoot goes on. Like: ‘You Are a Fucking Shit.’ Knightley never received her embroidered cushion from Dench but remarks: “I love that! She gives this fantastic air. She just sits there and she embroiders and you think: ‘Oh, that’s so nice! It’s Judi Dench. It’s so quaint; she’s embroidering a cushion,’ and you go: ‘What are you embroidering?’ And (it says): ‘Fuck!’ Apparently she’s got hundreds of them just covered in swear words or rude sayings.”

http://pemberley-state-of-mind.tumblr.com/post/2176341697/she-makes-these-like-needlework-embroideries-on

It's Here!

2011-12-19T16:34:00.002-05:00

Italian calligrapher Barbara Calzolari sent me a beautiful box and it just arrived Saturday. Inside was the happiest traveling inkwell I've ever seen. I think I will use it both as an inkwell and a water container: a metal container with threaded lid, painted in cheery red with a glass insert that can easily be removed. To keep it from dancing around in the container is an inner metal cap with a rubber insert that keeps the liquid airtight. Ingenious and lovely.

The box came calligraphed in a lovely sepia ink addressed in Barbara's own pointed pen variation. I will be studying that capital A for months, not to mention the daisies, leaves, and branches.

Animated Calligraphy: Tap the Snowflake

2011-12-15T10:12:00.002-05:00

A couple months back I did this piece for Eaton through the Brunner agency. Really fun group of people to work with and this piece illustrates that. This holiday e-card is a game where you Tap The Snowflake with your mouse to keep it afloat. I tried the game and scored terribly. Never fear, though, because even if you fail 3X at keeping your flake afloat, the calligraphy animates at the end. Take a look!

New Envelopes

2011-12-14T10:01:00.003-05:00

These are for Anton's teachers at Coralwood. All three have been so instrumental in his growth thus far in school. I could not be more grateful. They've been a friend to Anton and a friend to both me and Doug.

Notes on the materials I used:
Paper Source's Moss green A2 envelopes inked with a Nikko G nib, white Dr. Martin's India Ink and Liquitex Acrylic Ink! in transparent Raw Umber.

Notes on the techniques I used:
The look and feel of these cards were heavily influenced by two calligraphy workshops I took this summer, both in pointed pen, from Barbara Calzolari at Binders Art Supply and from Heather Held, hosted by FOTA (the Atlanta Calligraphy Guild called Friends of the Alphabet.)

2011 Christmas Card Fin!

2011-12-13T07:32:00.000-05:00

Wrapping up the production of this year's Christmas Cards. It's been my most labor intensive yet. My list almost hit 80 and I've just about reached my limit. Have sworn (please remind me of this next year) that this is the last year of making them by hand. Counted up the hours and I put 2 solid weeks of work into these. Time well spent, BUT dang. A sister's gotta get some rest and a gift that comes from love shouldn't hurt.

SO, next year I will get them letter pressed! Will be working with Jon at Vote For Letterpress. Really excited!

A note about the meaning of this year's card "You are my gift." My attempt to deepen the meaning of Christmas each year continues and this year was no exception. Trying to understand the meaning of generosity, a gift, grace and forgiveness... it's a journey. Right now, as I understand it, the most generous gift I can give is something made from my hands. That is where I place my value and where it stands in grace. So instead of simply signing my cards with a signature and date, I turned it into a price tag, stating its value. Originally, I had a little box with a bow at the bottom of the card. My friend Mary Ferguson (really smart lady) suggested the tag. She was spot on. THANK YOU.

An additional note: I've realized that the stocking stuffers and manic search for the perfect gift to ask for and the one to give is not only the card itself, but the RECIPIENT. My gratitude to the people who I share my life with has grown SO MUCH. My new friends, the students, mentors, buddies... even adversaries are all an offering for me to accept or push away. The content of my life is beautiful - even that which is at times uncomfortable, is a gift. All of it a gift.

These Christmas Cards are a big thank you, a big nod of gratitude to everyone who has heard me and let me know so.

About the materials, I used Paper Source's Moss green A2 envelopes and a hand torn Canson red textured paper (it's a brick red and I can't remember the name exactly.) These were inked with a Nikko G nib, white Dr. Martin's India Ink and Liquitex Acrylic Ink! in transparent raw umber. To achieve the heavy downstrokes on the card, I passed over each twice while the ink was super wet. Learned this technique from Barbara Calzolari this summer at a Pointed Pen Variation Calligraphy workshop at Binders.

The look and feel of these cards were heavily influenced by two calligraphy workshops I took this summer, both in pointed pen, from Barbara Calzolari at Binders Art Supply and from Heather Held , hosted by FOTA (the Atlanta Calligraphy Guild called Friends of the Alphabet.)

And that's it!

Love,

~Anne

Left-Handed Tips for Calligraphy Students

2011-12-08T07:27:00.001-05:00

Found a great looking pamphlet just now loaded with tips and tricks for those who favor their left hand. I have not yet purchased this, but have heard good things about it.

Keep in mind that there are master penmen out there who are left handed! Take heart and stick with it.

Insights Into Left-Handed Calligraphy by Betsy Rivers.

Xmas 2011 Envelopes

2011-12-07T10:04:00.001-05:00

I am in the thick of producing my 2011 Christmas Cards. Went to the Paper Source in Virginia Highlands yesterday to pick up 80 Moss green A2 envelopes. I am set! These are my most detailed xmas cards thus far. I think next year I should seriously consider getting them letter pressed. Whew!

These were inked with a Nikko G nib, white Dr. Martin's India Ink and Liquitex Acrylic Ink! in transparent raw umber. Yumminess.

New Copperplate Class begins tomorrow night!

2011-12-05T17:57:00.001-05:00

Hello Inkers,

We've got a new Copperplate Calligraphy class that begins tomorrow night (Tuesday, December 6, 2011.) It was created from the waiting list (overflow) of a previous class and we still have 4 seats left.

The class meets every Tuesday night from 6-8:30 PM on the following dates:
Dec. 6, 13, 20
Jan. 3, 10, 17

Sign up via phone (404.237.6331) and ask to speak with Jacob Gunter at Binders or shoot him an e-mail at Jacob@bindersart.com.

Here's a supply list.

And here's a description:

Calligraphy Two: Copperplate with Anne Elser

Beginner to Intermediate | Fee: $190 | Min. 3/ Max. 7

This is an introductory look at Copperplate, an elegant and elastic hand frequently used for formal invitations, documents and bridal events. Completely enchanting, the dramatic thicks and thins of this delicate hand will make you swoon.

During the six week course, students will be given handouts and guide sheets, learning the upper and lower case characters. We will also address spacing and layout for addressing envelopes.

Come sit next to me in Reggie's Class

2011-12-02T12:00:00.001-05:00

Hallo fellow Inkers,

On the Saturday morning of February 11th, I will be taking my first Reggie Ezell Calligraphy workshop called Primitive to Modern, presented by The Atlanta Friends of the Alphabet (FOTA). It lasts all year long and meets every other month from February to December.

This class is my big christmas present this year and I am so excited about how much it will stretch me into new areas of personal and professional growth. My intention is to channel the numerous epiphanies I've had over the past 3 years into the techniques I learn from Reggie. I will have six chances to express myself and I intend to use every one of them.

Though you've probably already received and email from me soliciting you for your participation, I am sending one more and crossing my fingers as I do. We are having a little trouble filling the class to its maximum, thereby making it more affordable and fun for all. Right now we have 9 students and the maximum is 15. We need six more soul searching, ink dipping, and paper loving enthusiasts to come join in the fun! Won't you come sit next to me? Below is the info sent previously - ask the Santa in your house to be extra generous with you!

XO,
~Anne

My good friend & artist Victoria Landsford is currently finishing up another workshop by Reggie this year and I've been drooling over the works she's done, progress made and stories, techniques with new materials she's told me about... everything she's learned from the experience. I've also heard a lot of other warm stories from other FOTA members about Reggie's approach, his attention to detail in his work, how he presents information to his students, how he structures his classes. Not one moment or opportunity for the sharing of information is wasted in his classes and I understand it to be a very fulfilling and intense experience.

For me as a calligrapher, I see this first as fun and nourishing (why else would I do it, right?) and second as an investment in my personal & professional growth. Every time I take a workshop, I've added a new set of skills and tools to my studio and waste no time in applying them to my work. The benefits are immediate as new clients arrive like magic to sample and purchase new work. It really is a beautiful cycle. I do more, make more, buy more, learn more, sell more... and it's all art, all love.

I also can't say enough about the social aspects of participating in workshops. I find it fun and nourishing. I leave each class feeling very loved, whether taking a class or teaching it.

Victoria can answer your questions about the class and Mamie Valez is accepting payments/deposits.

Learn more about Reggie, his approach and to see examples of the work that comes out of his classes.

Here is more info about Primitive to Modern.

Please join us for this rare opportunity to study with Reggie Ezell in one of his year long workshop series, presented by the Friends of the Alphabet.

The techniques and topics covered include:

•Modernizing a Traditional Calligraphic Hand

•Writing Using Color and Gilding on Vellum

•Illumination on Vellum, inspired byThe Book of Kells and Codex Aureus

•Gilding on Vellum Stained with Brazilwood Dye

•Modernizing Design aka “Over the Edge: Deconstructing the Grid”

•Experiencing the Book as a New Structure

Class meets on the following dates:

from approx 8:30 am-6:30pm at The Mendez Art and Education Foundation, Atlanta, GA:

Feb 11 & 12

Apri 14 &15

June 9 & 10

Aug 4 & 5

Oct 27 & 28

Dec 1 & 2

Cost: $1460. for the year based on enrollment of 15 (+approx $20/class for supplies that Reggie brings). Deposit of $100 required to hold your spot. Three and six installment payment plans will be available. The tuition is an estimate, based on airfare and venue. Any money leftover will be refunded at the end of the year.

Send deposit checks to

Mamie Valez

6135 Grand Marina Circle

Gainesville, GA 30506

About Reggie:

"Reggie Ezell is an internationally known calligrapher and lettering artist. For the last 18 years his independent courses in calligraphy, letter design, and innovative materials and techniques have been among the most highly regarded and sought after in the world. For a decade he was an instructor at Loyola University and the Newberry Library of Chicago. His works and writings appear all over the world in galleries, libraries, books, and periodicals. His most current works are three dimensional: sandblasted into redwood, 3 x 5 foot panels of figbark with gilding on impastoed acrylic, and sculptures in Utah alabaster with images and words emerging out of the undulating surfaces."

For examples (to drool over) and more info, please visit ReggieEzell.com.

Primitive to Modern: Year Long Workshop Series with Reggie Ezell

If you have any questions regarding the class, please email Victoria at

victoria@victorialansford.com

Holiday Gift Boxes Workshop T H I S Weekend: Dec 3rd & 4th

2011-11-30T11:29:00.001-05:00

This weekend's workshop has 5 seats left and we need just one more seat for the workshop to make.

We'll be making two containers - one is a collapsable box with six sides.

They're great for mailing as a gift and I use them all the time to hold brushes and tools.

The other structure is a hinged lidded box. They can be dressed up or down and are tons of fun to make.

If you'd like to sign up online, do it before Thursday evening because that's when we'll cancel in case we need to.

Happy Holidays!

~Anne

PS: If you've gotten this e-mail more than once, sorry. I'm working on streamlining my mailing lists... time to get on the MailChimp train!

Holiday Gift Box Workshop With Anne Elser

Hallo friends,

Bookmaking Workshop with Anne Elser: Holiday Gift Boxes Saturday/Sunday Dec. 3rd-4th|11:00AM-4:30PM|Price: $205|Min. 3/Max.7

Make a Collapsable Container and a Keepsake Box in one weekend workshop. Both are made from chipboard covered with decorative Washi Paper and can be used to hold supplies, brushes, pens, q-tips, jewelry, gifts, trinkets, ribbon and more. Handouts supplied and hands on advice ready to help you with all the loving details needed to make your structures sound and beautiful. Make them for yourself or as a gift. Supplies needed can be purchased at Binders right before the workshop.

$190.00

Suggested Supply List:

Shop with Anne the first half hour of class. E-mail her for questions: Anne@AnneElser.com.

Lineco® medium-duty awl
Lineco® bookbinding needles
Lineco® bone folder
2-ply chipboard (30 x 40 sheet, cut into quarters)
Washi Paper, 2 coordinating sheets
This is decorative handmade paper that comes in many different patterns, textures and weights. Pick two sheets you like that are not tissue paper thin.
Mechanical Pencil
Exacto Knife & blades
Self-healing cutting mat (at least 12 x 18)
Stiff & springy glue brush
Non-slip metal ruler
Brushable Adhesive: 8oz tub of Acrylic Gel Medium or Sobo & Methyl Cellulose Mixture

Bring from Home

Scissors
Roll of Wax Paper
Ribbon to consider using as a closure method for your lidded box.

Anne@AnneElser.com

AnneElser.com

404.509.9676

Holiday Cards & Envelopes Workshop

2011-11-29T11:46:00.001-05:00

Oh, the fun we had on November 19th & 20th! My first Holiday Cards & Envelopes workshop at Binders was a success, thanks to the brave mark-makers, inkers, painters, calligraphers, typographers & printmakers. Everyone did something different and all the cards were amazing - not to mention the envelopes.

This is Noah. Hard at work and having fun. He did a lot of experimenting and mixing of styles. For his "Holidays card" he worked on flourishing and adding weight to his downstroke.

The MEH card comes from his great sense of humor.

And he did an amazing job of scripting, inking and printing his addresses. This zip code knocks me out.

Norma created two sets of cards. Saturday she made a series of cards using Uncial both with a steel nib and a flat brush. Go Norma! On Sunday she worked on a candy cane card - white ink on red paper. She's really good with that brush!

Jeannie created a collaged, calligraphed and zentangle card series using white ink on red paper - torn out and pasted to the larger card. She finished up with a silver hairline to dangle the snowflake ornaments from. It was wonderful to watch her.

Julia got DOWN with the ruling pen and a series of beautiful ochre and umber inks. Her message was all about gratitude - very appropriate with Thanksgiving around the corner.

Mary did a lot of experimenting with colored pencil to get her swing on. Once the flow was there, she switched techniques and bought a Speedball block printing set and carved her message, inked it up and pressed hot red candy ink into thirsty white paper. LOVE that Mary. To finish up, she used red ink on a pointed pen nib. Great contrast!

And lastly, I worked on the composition of my message, yet to be finished. I should probably stop writing now and get to work on those cards!

Bill Lilly's Wooden Hand Turned Oblique Pen Holders

2011-11-28T10:58:00.000-05:00

Want one? Bill Lilly's Oblique Olivewood Penholders are the only pens I use for pointed pen. I have two and would be lost without them. They fit so beautifully in my small hands and the brass elbow is slanted gently upwards for a more delicate upstroked hairline. I LOVE.

Here's how to order one:

"THE OLIVEWOOD PENHOLDERS ARE $40.00 BY CHECK OR MONEY ORDER CONTACT BILL LILLY BY E-MAIL OR PHONE CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION"

(Note. I can't find an address or phone for Bill. When I do, I'll post!)

Christmas Ink

2011-11-21T18:53:00.001-05:00

I've always wanted to get my shit together enough and post about the handmade Christmas cards I've done over the years. I should have been saving them all along, because I've wasted a good hour hunting these images down and there are a few years I can't find. I started in 1998. I think the first card I made was a slice of cake and the middle filling layer of icing said "peace." Wish I still had it. I should make another.

I now have a folder on my drive dedicated to my ever growing collection of cards. Someday when I'm long gone, someone might publish them. And then reprint. :) Wouldn't that be nice?

So here are the cards I cold find, with a little story about each one.

The 2002 card I made in response to 911. Sentimental, patriotic and full of optimism. What I love most about America.

The 2005 card got gutsy. I really made two versions. This was the naughty one. A lino print and MAN did I love sending these out. :)

2006 must have been a really good year for me. I remember making these and feeling really peaceful. I zipped through them. I think this was the first year out on my own as a freelance designer/calligrapher. Great year!

2007 was another lino cut. I added a little red bird in the snow. I sent these to clients, too, who framed them!

I loved making these red flirty mittens.

2009 marked the birth of My Real Self. It was the year I officially left the church, found God on my own and learned to forgive. I had been seeing my good friend Debra Armentrout, who showed me to myself as nothing but Love and Light. Since then I've been seeing it in other people. Oh, what a beautiful life this is.

So I have found God again and this time we're really singing. 2010 was a year of immense change for us and has showed no signs of stopping or slowing down. This card is my favorite yet. No longer pining for love of a kiss underneath the mistletoe, I realized I was the mistletoe itself. Fuck YES, this has been an AWESOME year. T H A N K Y O U G O D.

This year's card will be even more fun. I've taken two enlightening calligraphic workshops and they've put me on a clear path to an enriching calligraphic career. I am STOKED. So! This is the sketch and I've been working on the inked version for a few days now.

Last weekend I led a "Holiday Cards and Envelopes" calligraphy workshop at Binders and sat side by side with everyone. We had a blast and everyone used a different technique. Will post pictures soon.

I will be making the 2011 cards soon whilst baking cookies during the next month. You'll see the final version soon. Woo hoo! Christmas is almost HERE!

My Naughty Ledger Completed!

2011-11-15T11:58:00.001-05:00

Finally finished Maren Smith's Ledger last week. This is a secret belgian bound book that opens to a healthy 17 x 11 full spread. About an inch thick, each page is lovingly lined in delicate gray hairlines on a smooth ivory sheet.

Collaged on the front are various hand made and vintage papers in a blue/green family. Customized calligraphic title "My Naughty Ledger" is hand painted on the front using FW inks and a 00 round sable brush.

This book is housed in a snug case with a window that can reveal which ever part of the title you like. Had I more time, I would have painted on the opposite cover "My Good Girl Ledger."

Cheers! If you're interested, contact me for a quote. Christmas is just around the corner!

Holiday Greetings in color!

2011-11-09T12:05:00.003-05:00

First version of a Holiday greeting. Sketched in pencil, traced in Illustrator using the new Width tool. Palette chosen: warm winter hugs, soft lambswool socks and scarves, snowflakes, marshmallows, eggnog, shortcake, white chocolate, and mint. Y U M.

Second version - a warm glow from the center, more typical holiday colors, zing, cinnamon, spice, fireplace, snuggling, and a good zesty debate over where to put the Xmas tree this year.

Final chosen by client. Still a glow, but more of a snowy feel with the soft teal. Lots of crisp snowfall that blankets the letterforms.

This will be animated and is in the developer's hands right now. I'll post new pics soon!

Anne Elser Workshop Rates & Policies

2011-11-06T12:25:00.001-05:00

I offer workshops all year round in both Calligraphy and Bookbinding and have over 15 years of teaching experience.

My workshops are intense, informative, fun, and fulfilling for both me and my students. Handouts, supply lists, individual instruction, and mentorship are always included. Inkgasms, papergasms, epiphanies, and merriment guaranteed.

Here's how happy your students will be after an Anne Elser Workshop!
Caligraphy Student Testimonials
Bookbinding Student Testimonials
Graphic Design/Hand Lettering/Typopgraphy Student Testimonials

Day Rate*: $800
Student Maximum: 15
Once the workshop has made (or 30 days previous to workshop date - whichever comes sooner,) a non-refundable deposit of 1/2 workshop fee is required to hold your spot.

* Travel & accommodation expenses not included.
* Day=8 hours

Contact me for more information or to book a workshop.

Primitive to Modern: Year Long Workshop Series with Reggie Ezell

2011-11-01T11:33:00.000-04:00

Hallo fellow Inkers,

I will be taking my first Reggie Ezell Calligraphy workshop next year called Primitive to Modern, presented by The Atlanta Friends of the Alphabet (FOTA). It lasts all year long and meets every other month from February to December. It's a project-based class and MAN, I can't wait to see how much I grow after taking it.

My good friend & artist Victoria Landsford is currently finishing up another workshop by Reggie this year and I've been drooling over the works she's done, progress made and stories, techniques with new materials she's told me about... everything she's learned from the experience. I've also heard a lot of other warm stories from other FOTA members about Reggie's approach, his attention to detail in his work, how he presents information to his students, how he structures his classes. Not one moment or opportunity for the sharing of information is wasted in his classes and I understand it to be a very fulfilling and intense experience.

For me as a calligrapher, I see this first as fun and nourishing (why else would I do it, right?) and second as an investment in my personal & professional growth. Every time I take a workshop, I've added a new set of skills and tools to my studio and waste no time in applying them to my work. The benefits are immediate as new clients arrive like magic to sample and purchase new work. It really is a beautiful cycle. I do more, make more, buy more, learn more, sell more... and it's all art, all love.

I also can't say enough about the social aspects of participating in workshops. I find it fun and nourishing. I leave each class feeling very loved, whether taking a class or teaching it.

Victoria can answer your questions about the class and Mamie Valez is accepting payments/deposits.

Learn more about Reggie, his approach and to see examples of the work that comes out of his classes.

Here is more info about Primitive to Modern.

Please join us for this rare opportunity to study with Reggie Ezell in one of his year long workshop series, presented by the Friends of the Alphabet.

The techniques and topics covered include:

•Modernizing a Traditional Calligraphic Hand

•Writing Using Color and Gilding on Vellum

•Illumination on Vellum, inspired byThe Book of Kells and Codex Aureus

•Gilding on Vellum Stained with Brazilwood Dye

•Modernizing Design aka “Over the Edge: Deconstructing the Grid”

•Experiencing the Book as a New Structure

Class meets on the following dates:

from approx 8:30 am-6:30pm at The Mendez Art and Education Foundation, Atlanta, GA:

Feb 11 & 12

Apri 14 &15

June 9 & 10

Aug 4 & 5

Oct 27 & 28

Dec 1 & 2

Send deposit checks to

Mamie Valez

6135 Grand Marina Circle

Gainesville, GA 30506

About Reggie:

For examples (to drool over) and more info, please visit ReggieEzell.com.

Primitive to Modern: Year Long Workshop Series with Reggie Ezell

If you have any questions regarding the class, please email Victoria at

victoria@victorialansford.com

Last Two Chrismons: Baptism Shell & Fruit of the Vine

2011-10-14T12:51:00.002-04:00

Alpha & Omega Final!

2011-10-13T15:44:00.000-04:00

More Final Chrismons!

2011-10-12T13:12:00.002-04:00

Final Advent Chrismons

2011-10-10T10:31:00.005-04:00

Beginning to complete the final calligraphic Chrismons for Advent. Stay tuned for uploads as I finish each one!

Revised Christ Monogram

2011-10-06T14:30:00.002-04:00

Flowering at last.

Alpha & Omega Revision

2011-10-06T12:46:00.003-04:00

Here's a revision of the Alpha & Omega Chrismon - this time as a logotype. The bouquet of flowers stands in as an ampersand and cross, while being created and supported by each opposite. The whole idea in the first place, I think. :)

Chrismons in Ink

2011-10-05T13:50:00.004-04:00

This week is devoted to inking up many of the Chrismons I've been commissioned to create. These will all be scanned in and cleaned up in Photoshop - things like smudges and dust and distractions that take from the overall piece will be delicately removed with a fine tooth comb.

The only one of these I'll need to redraw is the Easter Lily - I've got the leaves right, but the flower itself needs to be redrawn.

Inking a final in calligraphy is so rewarding, but tricky. It's an instantaneous process and one really has to warm up, loosen up and quietly focus before things really start to flow. I've had far more practice with a pencil, and to some degree, feel my pencil sketches are always better than the final work. But devoting this job to strictly to a pen and ink final, instead of a more graphic touch as in Adobe Illustrator, has been a real labor of love so far. It's a look I want to develop more and more and there is an elusive trust between your hands and the tools (paper, timing, ink, nib) that is so fine, so delicate, so instantaneous. It's broken very easily. But when you're in it - MAN, there is nothing like it. It's flow. It's god. It's trust. It's love.

Halloween Pin-Up Kickstarter Project

2011-10-05T08:25:00.004-04:00

Friends! I have arrived at the pinnacle of my Calligraphic career having been dubbed a "Naughty Calligrapher" at last. Check out the project I'll be involved in - a Halloween-themed pinup coffee table book. I'll be painting live luscious models with all kinds of calligraphic phrases and more. Watch the video to see my hands in action (on paper.) And if you've got the energy in the form of green paper - why not fund!?

Chrismons

2011-10-02T06:49:00.007-04:00

These are the first sketches I'm developing for a set of Advent logos called Chrismons. The client, a beautiful and thriving church here in Atlanta, has commissioned me to create 11 marks within the theme "Rethink Advent."

My goal here for each overall look is that each have an interpretive, explosive expansiveness - each in a state of flowering growth and movement. That they are regenerative and ever-changing, expanding and evolving. There is no fear, nothing wrong or bad, no judgement. It's all beautiful.

Very exciting, because I've been trying to reframe Christmas these past years also. These will be part of a booklet the church is putting together and they'll all be calligraphic. I still don't know if I'll draw them with pen and ink or within Illustrator, and maybe I'll do a combination of the two. Who knows?

But they are fun. And it's been very refreshing to revisit these themes, now that my own idea of God has changed so much recently. I am beginning to feel a little more peace about my past. It's still all very good. All of it.

Hand Painted Monograms now in Subtle Color

2011-09-27T10:20:00.004-04:00

I've recently taken the idea of a hand painted monogram a little further with the addition of color. These are turning out lovely and there is more experimentation I'd like to consider doing - mainly with the looser application of color.

These are pretty tight and delicate. I love them, but want to splatter the paint a little and treat the fabric as less precious. The direction will be in the example of the Bill & Tracey painted monogram you see below.

We buy practice paper for calligraphy experiments- why not treat fabric the same way? I can't buy a pad of fabric - so instead pick up linens at the thrift store to practice on. It's a great reuse and give me permission to play, with little expense. :)

New Copperplate Class Oct-Nov 2011

2011-09-27T09:45:00.003-04:00

Hi Friends,

It's official! A new Copperplate Calligraphy class has been created and to sign up, you'll need to email Eli Pelizza directly at eli@bindersart.com.

The class is $190 and meets on Tuesday nights from 6-8:30PM.

You can get your supplies ahead of time or the first night of class with me touring you around the store. It's fun. :)

Here are the dates:

Oct. 11, Oct. 18, Oct. 25, Nov. 1, Nov. 8, Nov. 15

Below is a supply list and course description.

Happy inking!

~Anne

Calligraphy Two: Copperplate with Anne Elser

Beginner to Intermediate | Fee: $190 | Min. 3/ Max. 7

During the six week course, students will be given handouts and guide sheets, learning the upper and lower case characters. We will also address spacing and layout for addressing envelopes.

Calligraphic Kudos From Shira Savada

2011-09-26T16:44:00.004-04:00

Anne Elser got a calligraphic kudos from Martha Stewart Wedding's editor Shira Savada recently on the PaperCupSketchbook.com blog from a story named "Inside Shira's Sketchbook." Can't resist sharing with all of you. :)

~Anne

Fabric Hankies & Hand Towels

2011-09-26T08:48:00.001-04:00

New product from Anne Elser Calligraphy. Color version coming soon!

Completed Wedding Monogram

2011-09-19T13:09:00.001-04:00

All done!

My Naughty Ledger

2011-09-18T08:25:00.005-04:00

Let me first say that this past Summer has been my busiest and most fulfilling yet as a professional calligrapher. The interest in the subject has recently exploded and I see no signs yet of it slowing. My Calligraphy classes are selling out at Binders and brides and their families are knocking excitedly at my door for work, work and more work. I am very happy. VERY happy.

Been taking more Calligraphy workshops because of this, and therefore, am learning as fast as I am creating. All new tricks to add to my toolbox and a wider range of products result for my customers.

My new mantra is "Invest in Your Value." And I am doing exactly that. Here is an example.

I have recently made a connection with one my of favorite erotica authors, Maren Smith and have found her to be just as gracious, fun, daring, witty and as wise as her work. I am making her a 8.5 x 11 journal with lined pages to use as a ledger for her ever-growing collection of published works. This book folds out to a very generous 17 x 11 spread, with lots of room in which to list, write, tabulate, etc. Her only request was to have the book covered in shades of blue and green and to include a quote on the inside about the inspiration of her craft. I kid you not, I wrote that quote out no less than FIVE times before I managed to NOT misspell a word. She and I had a good laugh over that.

This book is finished being stitched. I've only to paint the title "My Naughty Ledger" on the front cover and make a lovely simple case to protect it. I believe the case will have a window on the front, to reveal the title once inside. It's going to be splendid when finished and I can't wait to hear what she has to say about it once it's in her hands being used and loved for years to come.

I have another friend who has recently decided to seriously begin her career as a professional erotica author. I could not be more proud or excited for her. She's an amazing writer and has a lot of love and passion to give back to the world, as we all do.

I am so happy.

New Monogram

2011-09-17T07:59:00.001-04:00

New Calligraphic sketch for a monogram. This mark is begging for symmetry - I plan on curving the elements to the left of the B inward, pointing to the center of everything. And she loves this!

Italic Calligraphy: Calligraphy One

2011-08-29T11:37:00.004-04:00

Calligraphy One: Italic with Anne Elser

Beginner to Intermediate | Sale price for early enrollment: $190, Regular price $205| Min. 3/ Max. 7

During the six week course, students will be given handouts and guide sheets, learning the upper and lower case characters. We will also address spacing and layout for addressing envelopes.

Palatial Palm Tree

2011-08-28T15:07:00.002-04:00

It's finished! Save the Date monogram for a wedding in Miami. Stay tuned for the Invite monogram next.

Pixel/Paint

2011-08-26T07:59:00.004-04:00

Working on a monogram today and within Illustrator CS5. With this new version comes a WIDTH tool and it's pretty amazing. It gives you the ability to mimic up and down strokes, creating stress where you want it. Totally different from what I used to do - trace the drawing from the outside contour. It feels more calligraphic now. Really, really interesting.

I love the asymmetry of this piece and can't wait to see how it changes when we do the wedding invitation version.

An Amorous Palm Tree

2011-08-25T09:46:00.002-04:00

New sketch for a couple to be wed in Miami, who asked for a monogram with palm leaf accents and tropical flair. I will bring this sketch into Illustrator today and have some fun. Wish me luck!

Tool Bed

2011-08-19T06:44:00.003-04:00

A fellow dribbbler asked me recently to upload shots of the tools I use. This is a pouch Barbara Calzolari made to carry her own tools. She's an amazing Italian calligrapher from Bologna, who just did a workshop here in Atlanta at Binders called Pointed Pen Variation.

I traded a book I'd made for this pouch. The brushes I use for brush calligraphy are sized 00, 0, 1 and 2. The strange looking pen in the middle with the large screw at the top is called a Ruling Pen. It makes similar strokes that a brush makes and the screw increases or decreases the distance between the 2 parallel plates. Can be dipped in ink and drawn at the very tip for a fine line, or on the side at any angle. An amazing tool.

There are a couple of calligraphy pen holders next that are set at an oblique angle I use for Copperplate. In this oblique pen holder is a pointed pen nib. Currently my favorites are the Nikko G and the Zebra G nib.

For broad edge work I use a Brause nib. The three pens at the very end are automatic broad edge pens called Pilot Parallel pens. Another amazing tool.

This tool pouch came SPOTLESS with no ink spills, splatters or stains. That's how clean a good calligrapher keeps their tools. It's all about a sense of care, wonder and very good craft.

Brush Work

2011-08-17T09:42:00.002-04:00

Writing with a brush is tough to learn. Creating interest in your strokes and crisp, defined marks is tricky, too. Been doing a lot of brush work practice lately, especially since Barbara Calzolari's Pointed Pen Variation Workshop.

She had me practicing with a brush, then the pointed pen and back again to the brush. They are essentially the same tool - just the brush is more sensitive. HIGHLY sensitive - which can be maddening. But it's good. I am in search of a brush lettering workshop and my goal is to take one from John Stevens.

While practicing with the brush, I started with black in. Then Barbara introduced me to the idea of using gouache. Now gouache is my preference. It makes my brush slow down because there is a slight chalky texture to it. It takes curves nice and slowly and I can feel the slight vibration in my hands. It's an amazing feeling.

I've been using the cheapest brushes I can find to practice with, but have just upgraded to a nicer version - Windsor Newton Series 7 Miniature Sable brushes in #00, 0, 1 and 2. They have a lovely waist on their short blue handles.

Hand Painted Calligraphy on Vintage Handkerchief

2011-08-15T09:40:00.003-04:00

More hand painted calligraphy on fabric. Created with thinned fabric paint in black and white, onto a vintage linen handkerchief. I used a #0 brush, kept it clean and sharp and went very slowly.

This particular item is a gift to the Martha Stewart Weddings Magazine editor, Shira Savada. Came with my most recent package of calligraphy wedding envelope samples. Wish me luck!

Hand Painted Monogram on Fabric

2011-08-11T07:43:00.005-04:00

I am still digesting all of the fabulous things I learned from Barbara Calzolari's Pointed Pen Variation workshop last weekend. And I think you'll see a good many posts about the new tools and techniques I've adopted. My most urgent need was to get better at brush lettering. And this is a start. Barbara had me switch back and forth between the brush and nib - each sift improving the other. Then, with a very clean, size 0 brush, I used thinned fabric paint on this cotton doily. I am in LOVE. Will show you a handkerchief tomorrow. :)

Bjork: Virus

2011-08-10T08:38:00.003-04:00

I have just listened to Bjork's new Biophilia single, "Virus" and am completely blown away. This is an enchanting, loving and entirely different view of our relationship with viruses. "My sweet adversary" nudges me closer to the opportunity illness brings. Take a deeper look at your body the next time you're down with the flu, sniffles or even something greater. Understanding always brings opportunity. Opportunity brings change. And that's a good thing.

Anton's first day of school!

2011-08-08T08:34:00.005-04:00

My little bird goes to school (Coralwood) via school bus this morning. I kept it together until waving goodbye to him and blowing a kiss. Just feeling wonder at the flow of life - picking me up, picking Anton up - higher and higher and higher. I can't stop crying. Heavy morning.

And here he is coming home after a great first day. :) Sigh. Of. Relief.

F as grape vine final

2011-07-29T10:08:00.002-04:00

And here's the final!

Letter as Grape Vine

2011-07-27T08:04:00.004-04:00

This is a new sketch for a Save The Date I'm currently working into. Delving into the twists and turns of William Morris patterns, I used his manner of bringing plant life to the surface as a breathing art form.

This couple share the same first letter in their last name, so when they told me they wanted a logo of a grape vine and leaves for their wedding materials, I thought it would be smart to combine the letterform with the plant. Theirs will be a destination wedding in a vineyard/flower farm in California.

Address List Guide

2011-07-21T19:57:00.009-04:00

Anne Elser Calligraphy Address List Guide

After you've reviewed what kind of etiquette guidelines you wish to follow (here's Crane's link to every etiquette question you can imagine), list and number your addresses as you want them to appear on your envelopes. List them in one column only and centered on the page without any other columns or addendums. When numbering, you can put it on top of the address itself, so I know not to include it on the envelope. Numbering your list makes it easier for you and I to refer to a specific address quickly, if needed.

Your job will not begin until the address list is formatted in the manner you wish me to copy them.

My role in your envelope addressing is to provide technically accurate, legible and aesthetically pleasing envelopes. If there are unmarked columns, unclear directions or handwritten notes and addendums in the list you provide me to copy, I must then attempt to interpret through the etiquette filter you have in mind, your intention for each address. My guess is not always accurate and misinterpretations are often made.

So before you provide your list, make sure it's one that I can literally copy word for ford and line for line. Spell out words like Northwest, Road and Street and make sure the punctuation you provide falls within the etiquette standard you're comfortable with.

E-mail a PDF file of your list or provide a printed copy with your envelopes. If you have both outer and inner envelopes, list the outer first.

Mr. and Mrs. John Henry Smith

1234 Beautiful Street

Atlanta, Georgia

30030

Mr. and Mrs. Smith

Tom and Glenda Applegate

5678 Lovely Lane

Atlanta, Georgia

30030

Tom and Glenda Applegate

Audrey

Ms. Flora Phew

Mr. Alphonse Protti

7890 Austin Avenue, Northwest

Atlanta, Georgia

30033

Ms. Phew

Mr. Protti

The Big C.

2011-07-20T21:56:00.005-04:00

Hello Friends,

I have had a glass of wine, so I'll be braver than usual in this post.

If you are wondering why we are wearing pink in this picture, you guessed right - my mom has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. I won't tell you what we were doing in the second picture down, but we were feeling frisky and bold and so that's enough details for now. :)

I just bought a copy of Louise Hay's Heal Your Body and accidentally bought two. Mom's getting my second copy. I don't ever want to get breast cancer, so I'm currently devouring Louise's love-infused wisdom and am totally blown away by her story of healing her own cancer. I am also buying a lot of pink things and sending prayers to my mother.

I am sad for my mother - who is robust and wild and loving and very, very funny. It's the quality I love in her most - her willingness to bring on the party. You'll hardly ever hear her say no.

I am thinking that this is a party of a different kind - one where she is gathering her cells together and putting tiny fuzzy pink hats on each one all the while oxygenating her blood through laughter, sleeping and healing and loving her body through this challenge.

I know there are many success stories for people fighting cancer. And I want hers to be one.

My husband Doug and sister-in-law Gloria are running the Chicago marathon this year in honor of Mom's battle with cancer, through the American Cancer Society. They have pledged, through forming "Team Nanny," (that's what her grandchildren call her) to reach their fundraising goal of $10,000.

If you would like to contribute to this story in a positive way through prayers, thoughts or a donation of any amount via this link to the Team Nanny page, all who love Nanny would love it, most especially her.

Life Loves Me.

2011-07-17T18:10:00.001-04:00

Life Loves Us.

And don't you forget it!

Methyl Cellulose & Sobo Glue Mixture

2011-07-17T16:14:00.005-04:00

Follow this recipe for a brushable bookbinding glue mixture.

Mix one Tablespoon of Lineco's Methyl Cellulose powder with water. It'll be clumpy. Stir a little and let sit overnight. In the morning it'll be mixable enough to be smooth.

Then mix 3 parts Sobo Glue to 1 part Methyl Cellulose mixture.

If you're using Lineco's Neutral PH Adhesive, use less MC.

Try this ratio: 3.5 parts Neutral PH Adhesive to .5 part Methyl Cellulose mixture.

As you're working, your glue mixture will be continually exposed to air and will get thick and clumpy. Simply add a little of the MC mixture to thin it out again. This works both ways - if your glue is too runny, add more Sobo back in.

My favorite glue containers are the 2 cup Ziploc containers with a blue threaded lid. I put a little square of wax paper in between the lid and base as I close it. That way it's easier to open, when you're ready to work again.

And that's it! I've tried Elmer's glue, but it really isn't as nice. If you're en route and need an easy no-mess replacement, use Acrylic Gel Medium. It works great as a low-moisture adhesive, BUT will dry very quickly on your brush. Keep an eye on it as you're working.

~Anne

Brush Script Envelope

2011-07-08T07:53:00.002-04:00

This inner envelope was done with a round brush and a healthy dose of black flourished ink. Making a statement to your guest that their name is beautiful enough to take up this much space on the page is loving in a dramatically generous way.

Sarah & Luke Monogram Finished!

2011-06-29T21:43:00.004-04:00

Here's another wedding monogram - this time for my side of the family. My cousin Lucas is getting married this weekend. Their lovely invitation in blue, white and red inspired my palette and floral accents. Here's the original sketch.

I used round sable brushes with FW Liquid Acrylic inks atop a very thin wash of blue over a cradled board. This piece can hang on the wall or stand by itself on a flat surface such as a bookshelf or table.

Congratulations Sarah and Luke!

Two new seats open for Wednesday Night's Copperplate Class

2011-06-27T20:19:00.001-04:00

Hi friends,

Since creating a new calligraphy class, we've had two seats open back up for the Wednesday night class that begins next week on July 6th.

Calligraphy 2: Copperplate (EVE) Wednesdays, 6 sessions|Jul. 6-Aug. 10|6-8:30PM|Sale price for early enrollment: $190, Regular Price: $205|Min. 3/Max.7|Location: Binders Art Supply 2 seats left.

If you're interested in signing up, please contact eli@bindersart.com.

Sarah and Luke Wedding Monogram Sketch

2011-06-26T22:07:00.003-04:00

Yet another wedding gift for an event this weekend. Sarah and Lucas are getting married. Their invitation was in blue and red and white with black text. Going to have fun with this one which will include little red and white flowers.

Finished Wedding Monogram

2011-06-24T22:02:00.005-04:00

Aaaannnnnnnd here's the final. Tomorrow Doug and Anton drive up to deliver her to the wedding.

Painted with FW acrylic inks, round sable brushes on a slightly textured cradled board surface atop an inky wash.

Color palette was in response to their Save The Date and of course, I could not ignore the suggested palette of the beautiful family name Sterling.

New Wedding Monogram

2011-06-24T19:34:00.004-04:00

Sorry I've been away so long, friends. We've moved to a new area of Atlanta (Decatur) to be closer to Anton's new school - which begins in a month! Most of what we have has been unpacked and I have begun working again. My new studio is kick-ass with more light than ever and french doors that lead out to the patio. Niiiiiiice.

This is my first project in this new room. I'm finishing it up tonight but thought I'd upload the sketch first. Sterling is Doug's cousin who is getting married tomorrow in Augusta.

Happy wedding Katie and Sterling!

New Calligraphy 2: Copperplate Class begins Tuesday next week!

2011-06-24T12:54:00.002-04:00

Hello friends!

The Calligraphy classes have been selling out this summer, and our waiting list got large enough to create a new class.

We've just created a new one that's not been advertised on the Binders site.

So far we have 4 people signed up and there are only 3 more seats left!

Here are details:

Calligraphy 2: Copperplate (EVE)
Tuesdays, 6 sessions
Jun. 28-Aug. 2
6-8:30PM
Price: $205
Min. 3/Max.7
Location: Binders Art Supply

Please e-mail eli@bindersart.com to enroll.

A Walk In The Park

2011-06-10T07:41:00.003-04:00

If you're interested in discussing ox gasses, canine art projects and the plastic lined dog poop collection grid, then you will love this new Doug, Talking video post called A Walk In The Park.

Doug, Talking.

2011-06-08T21:37:00.002-04:00

Visit my hubbie's new blog: Doug, Talking.

Good stuff!

Private Long Stitch Book Workshop

2011-05-17T15:13:00.004-04:00

Private Long Stitch Book Workshop
Sunday, July 10th, 2011: 10am-6pm
Location: Anne Elser Private Residence

Spend a full day making your very own Long Stitch Book with folded blank or lined pages, sewn together with needle and thread. The cover is cut from one single piece of leather, book cloth or two layers of Washi Paper glued back to back.Signatures are then sewn into the spine of the cover through previously pierced holes. This very flexible and semi-visible spine allows it to open completely flat and makes a fabulous sketchbook or journal. Add stitch a strap from the back to the font cover to keep your book closed. This functional, decorative work of art makes a great gift for you or someone who would enjoy filling it! We’ll take a break to eat lunch and by the end of class, you’ll be very proud of your first coptic bound book. Anne’s private workshops are meaningful and fun and are conducted in her cozy home in Atlanta. Bring your lunch or order out. Min 5/Max 7 students. Non-refundable pre-payment of $90.00 reserves your spot.
Reservations & Supply List Questions:
Anne Elser or 404.509.9676

SUPPLY LIST
E-mail her for supply questions: Anne@AnneElser.com.
Approximate supply cost: $70.00
Lunch & supply costs are not included in tuition.
-----------------
blank or lined paper for book pages • Scissors
Roll of Wax Paper
Lineco® bone folder
Book cloth, Leather or
Washi Paper (2-3 coordinating sheets)
Mechanical Pencil • Exacto Knife & blades
12 x 18 Self-healing cutting mat
18 inch Non-slip metal ruler
Stiff & springy glue brush
Adhesive: 8oz container of Acrylic Gel Medium or
mixture of Methyl Cellulose & Sobo (e-mail Anne for recipe.)

Private Case Bound Book Workshop

2011-05-17T14:34:00.005-04:00

Private Bookbinding Workshop: Case Bound Book
Saturday, July 9th: 10am-6pm.
$90.00
Location: Anne Elser Private Residence

Spend a full day making your Case Bound Book with folded blank or lined pages, stitched and glued together. Both the front/back covers and spine are cut from raw chipboard you then cover with imported handmade papers (Washi Paper). This functional, decorative work of art makes a great gift for you or someone who would enjoy filling it! Case books are both sturdy and handsome and feature a supported spine, bookmark and headbands. It is the most commonly used book made to last on the library bookshelf. We’ll take a break to eat lunch and by the end of class, you’ll be very proud of your first case bound book. Anne’s private workshops are meaningful and fun and are conducted in her cozy home in Atlanta. Bring your lunch or order out. Min 5/Max 7 students.

Non-refundable pre-payment of $90.00 reserves your spot.
Reservations & Supply List Questions:
Anne Elser: Anne@AnneElser.com or 404.509.9676

SUPPLY LIST
E-mail her for supply questions: Anne@AnneElser.com.
Approximate supply cost: $70.00
Lunch & supply costs are not included in tuition.
-----------------
Book block sewn to tapes • Ribbon for bookmark
Scissors • Roll of Wax Paper
Lineco® bone folder
2-ply chipboard
Washi Paper (2-3 coordinating sheets)
Mechanical Pencil • Exacto Knife & blades
12 x 18 Self-healing cutting mat
18 inch Non-slip metal ruler
Stiff & springy glue brush
Adhesive: 8oz container of Acrylic Gel Medium or mixture of Methyl Cellulose & Sobo (e-mail Anne for recipe.)

Healing Music

2011-05-12T11:10:00.000-04:00

Hello inkers,

I've found some beautiful meditative music that is perfect when trying to strengthen your calligraphic rhythm.
This is also good to listen to while meditating, for yoga, journaling, praying, etc.

The Album:
ALINA, by Arvo Part.

In particular, the three pieces entitled Spiegel im Spiegel for violin & piano.

Translation is Mirror in Mirror.
Here's a little review:
Arvo Pärt's Alina follows a simple-enough formula. Two stark instrumental works from the master of holy minimalism repeat each other, each time slightly different. But the blissful results--quiet, haunting, and thoroughly hypnotizing--meld to create one of classical music's best albums of 2000. It's as intense and sublime as contemporary classical music can be. --Jason Verlinde

I've also found this to be very healing music.
Listen to some samples and see what happens. If you love it, buy it!
Would love to hear your reactions.

Anne Elser Private Coptic Bound Workshop

2011-05-11T10:32:00.003-04:00

This workshop has only 2 seats left!

Spend a full day making your very own Coptic Book with folded blank or lined pages, sewn together with needle and thread. Front and back covers are cut from raw chipboard you then cover with imported handmade papers (Washi Paper.) The Coptic Bound Book, developed by early Christians in Egypt, began its origins way back in the 2nd century AD. This functional, decorative work of art makes a great gift for you or someone who would enjoy filling it! A very flexible and visible spine allows it to open completely flat and makes a fabulous sketchbook or journal. We’ll take a break to eat lunch and by the end of class, you’ll be very proud of your first coptic bound book. Anne’s private workshops are meaningful and fun and are conducted in her cozy home in Atlanta. Bring your lunch or order out. Min 5/Max 7 students. Non-refundable pre-payment of $45.00 reserves your spot and remaining $45.00 due after class.
Reservations & Supply List Questions: Anne Elser or 404.509.9676

SUPPLY LIST
E-mail her for supply questions: Anne@AnneElser.com.
Approximate supply cost: $70.00
Lunch & supply costs are not included in tuition.
-----------------
blank or lined paper for book pages • Scissors
Roll of Wax Paper
Lineco® bone folder
2-ply chipboard
Washi Paper (2-3 coordinating sheets)
Mechanical Pencil • Exacto Knife & blades
12 x 18 Self-healing cutting mat
18 inch Non-slip metal ruler
Stiff & springy glue brush
Adhesive: 8oz container of Acrylic Gel Medium or
mixture of Methyl Cellulose & Sobo (e-mail Anne for recipe.)

The Story of Flora: Artist Talk

2011-05-10T15:20:00.003-04:00

Hello Friends,

FLORA closes in just over 2 weeks. This Friday, May 13th from 5-7pm is an Artist Talk for those of you who wish to hear the real story behind the pieces, from the artists themselves. Art at it's very best is accessible to all - and this is an opportunity to strengthen the bond between artist/art/audience.

If a piece resonates with you - ask the artist to tell you the story. You will be delightfully surprised to learn something new about yourself. Everything you're drawn to is a mirror. When people share their interpretations of a piece of mine, I always learn something new about myself. This revelation is pure magic and I would love to share that experience with you.

This relationship is why people buy the art that fills their home. It's story directly and sometimes indirectly changes a part of you and everyone who sees it. It is more than a visual/decorative work of art. It is an entity that opens you to something new.

To whet your appetite for what you might see this Friday night, check out this article about the show by Erin Hollenbank of Art In The City.

And if you can't make it - I've talked in depth about many of my Flora works here - every stroke has meaning.

Happy Spring to all of you!

Kindly RSVP to info@kailinart.com.

For more information about Flora and the exhibition, please visit us at www.kailinart.com. We hope that you’ll be able to make it to our talk!

“Flora” Through May 27. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays;
11-5 p.m. Saturdays. Kai Lin Art, 800 Peachtree St.,
Suite D, Atlanta. 404-408-4248, www.kailinart.com.
Anne Elser Blush oil on panel 6 x 8 inches

Naughty Girl Book in Case

2011-05-09T08:13:00.004-04:00

And now Miss Monica Loren has a custom slip case to keep her most treasured thoughts in her Naughty Girl Journal and observations safe and "clean." A book this thoughtfully made deserves to be protected. ;)

Monogram on Cradeled Board

2011-05-07T16:19:00.005-04:00

This is a new product I offer - a hand-painted monogram, ready to hang on your wall. No framing necessary. Beautiful! Done for a couple just wed last month. Commissioned by a friend with very good taste. :) It's 9 x 12 and has a 1.5 inch cradle. Sits nicely on the wall or stands freely on a shelf/table which gives it sculptural appeal.

I used FW Liquid Acrylic inks, a round sable brush, liner brush and my rock star hands.

You can have one of your very own, in the color palette you prefer, with as many dates, names quotes or initials as you need for $400.00.

More Flora pics.

2011-05-04T22:44:00.002-04:00

Loving the bodies behind Flora's letters.

Holiday Gift Box Workshop With Anne Elser

2011-05-02T08:17:00.006-04:00

Lineco® medium-duty awl
Lineco® bookbinding needles
Lineco® bone folder
2-ply chipboard (30 x 40 sheet, cut into quarters)
Washi Paper, 2 coordinating sheets
This is decorative handmade paper that comes in many different patterns, textures and weights. Pick two sheets you like that are not tissue paper thin.
Mechanical Pencil
Exacto Knife & blades
Self-healing cutting mat (at least 12 x 18)
Stiff & springy glue brush
Non-slip metal ruler
Brushable Adhesive: 8oz tub of Acrylic Gel Medium or Sobo & Methyl Cellulose Mixture

Bring from Home

Scissors
Roll of Wax Paper
Ribbon to consider using as a closure method for your lidded box.

New Workshop this Fall of 2011: Holiday Cards & Envelopes

2011-05-02T07:57:00.011-04:00

Hallo friends,

I've completed the planning of two new Holiday workshops at Binders Art Supply in Atlanta I'll be teaching this Fall. One's for the Bookbinding crowd, the other for Inkers (Calligraphers.) Signup on line will be available soon (you'll see a link to it here on my site) or you can contact Eli Pelizza (eli@bindersart.com) at Binders to sign up over the phone or by mailing a check.

Calligraphy Workshop With Anne Elser: Holiday Cards & Envelopes Saturday/Sunday Nov 19-20th|11:00AM-4:30PM|Sale price for early enrollment: $190, Regular Price: $205|Min. 3/Max.7

Create your own calligraphic design for whichever holiday you wish to share most. Students will be given customized instruction on layout and technique using the materials they bring to class. We will be writing, flourishing, painting, stenciling, cutting windows, stamping and more! Learn to create your own cards that are easy to reproduce at home by creating a template and adding layers of detail to the card in an enjoyable and systematic fashion. Emphasis will be placed on enhancing the meaning of your message in order to fully engage your audience. Day two is spent finalizing the prototype of your chosen design and with it, a system of producing it. We will also create a perfect envelope template for your card.

$190.00

Suggested Supply List:

• Set of at least 20 blank cards and envelopes you wish to practice on.
• Scrap Paper
• Arches Text Wove Paper
• Materials used to apply color such as watercolor, gouache, inks and stamps.
• Brushes, pens and pencils,
• Ruler, eraser and tape.
• A cover weight sheet of paper to create stencils with.
• Scissors, Exacto blade and cutting mat
• Calligraphy tools and inks.
• Sense of adventure and an open heart.

Pretty Dirty Words Logo

2011-04-30T15:05:00.003-04:00

At last is the final logo for Paper Doll Pin Ups, Pretty Dirty Words. I don't think I'll need to explain the double meaning - and MAN I can't wait for the content to be loaded and up for sale.

The Naughty Girl Journal

2011-04-29T08:23:00.004-04:00

This piece is almost finished. A commission for Paper Doll Pin Ups, via a special order for Monica Loren, this journal is a prototype of more to come. Can be used as a scrapbook, personal or punishment journal or diary of all your naughtiest (or not) thoughts, pictures, musings and otherwise. Each of these journals can be customized for the user on the cover and inside cover, where we dedicate the piece to the end user by including their name and even a "from your...."

Price has yet to be estimated, but you can bet your stinging fanny it'll reflect the hours and love given to each and every detail.

Fun, fun, fun! Photo shoot to follow!

Creative Silence

2011-04-27T18:40:00.005-04:00

Hello friends. I have nothing to show you this week. But I have been doing a lot of inner work. I think this is good! And very different for me.

I just now led myself to a few quotes from Arvo Part - this amazing contemporary composer I am deeply enchanted with.

I am working on being a better listener these days. I want to be God's prism. I want a little quiet, for a little while and to feel the wisdom of a moment of nothingness.

Here are 4 Arvo Part quotes that move me:

"I could compare my music to white light which contains all colours. Only a prism can divide the colours and make them appear; this prism could be the spirit of the listener."

"I have discovered that it is enough when a single note is beautifully played. This one note, or a silent beat, or a moment of silence, comforts me."

"Silence is the pause in me when I am near to God."

"The human voice is the most perfect instrument of all."

I first heard his music in the soundtrack of There Will Be Blood. Shortly after, I bought much of his work and dove right in and really let myself sink into it. Check out his Variations For The Healing Of Arinushka, For Piano. You'll get it.

And here's one last tidbit I found while surfing:

"Arvo Pärt’s contribution to the future of sacred music is wonderfully summed up on the Vale of Glamorgan’s website:

“Possibly the world’s most celebrated living composer, Arvo Pärt is at the centre of the movement which has become known as New Spirituality—a musical philosophy which, for Pärt at least, came out of a long period of creative silence and introspection, and emerged from under the aggressively secular cloud of the Soviet state. This is a pared-down, purified music, which delights in a halo of bell-like sonorities surrounding perfect single notes; and yet this simplicity sustains some of the most hauntingly beautiful and profoundly moving pieces.”"

The Fun we had with FLORA.

2011-04-18T18:53:00.007-04:00

Check out the fun we all had at the FLORA exhibit featuring works by Karen Divine, Drew Watts, Lucha Lucha Rodriguez Art and myself at KAI LIN ART last Friday. Michael Cooke snapped some fun and flirty photos for us. Photos by Mike Cooke http://www.MDSGstudios.com

Check out this article, too by Project Q Atlanta and a cute snap by Omar Vega of the awesome chaste kiss I got from Yu-Kai :).

FLOAT

2011-04-15T05:06:00.001-04:00

This is FLOAT of the Flora series. A tiny 6 x 8 painting packed with this story.

Something happens to us when we are in water. We're in a material that we're made mostly of. We become light and suddenly graceful. We swim. We float. We sink if we want to.

We change in water.

Years ago when I first began my training as a painter out in Cleveland Ohio, I started taking baths. It became a ritual for me. Time for myself to wind down, do nothing, feel weightless. And shit - you KNOW it was cold there. So soaking for a long time made sense.

Sometimes I'd light a candle and bring my boom box with me. Opera was what I loved listening to the most. All I had was Puccini. And that suited me just fine. Then I started bringing my sketchbook with me. So I'd sketch and journal.

Then one day I looked down. Wow - these shapes are beautiful. My legs, my torso, my chest, toes - everything seemed to peak out of the surface of the water. My knees became mountains, my navel a black hole, and the clever distortion of my body as it submitted to what water does best in the bathtub - provide a different lens to view yourself. Moving water making visual waves of how I was made fascinated me.

So I picked up the pencil and looked down and drew. And drew. And drew. That is how Flora really started. Way back in 1986 in blustery wet and dreary Cleveland Ohio. The shapes of my body became my entrance to the world of metaphor and abstraction.

I'll look through those sketchbooks and post some of those drawings soon. I love sharing this with you all.

LAUGH

2011-04-14T05:00:00.002-04:00

I have learned to laugh more. So has Flora. When we laugh, our whole body changes. We get flushed. We warm up. Our core feels lighter, we feel the vibrations of every chuckle throughout every cell in our body. Those vibrations can be global, too. Seeing others laugh makes me respond in kind - or at least want to.

The "speech bubbles" you see are hiccoughs of laughter moving across the surface of Flora's body, as well as inside of her. She is smiling. Her teeth are like little gems of candy - sweet and cheery.

Flora's laughter fills her with joy. She is ready and open for the next wave to hit her, flow through her.

Laughter is enough and needs no explanation, no grounding, no sense of purpose other than it happening. Laughter heals, like a cat purring to speed up its own healing processes. We laugh to bond us to each other, we laugh to heal.

Statement About Flora

2011-04-13T21:47:00.005-04:00

Statement about FLORA

Creating the pieces for Flora brought me to a more intimate understanding of my feminine self. Having long rejected feminine themes as creative subject matter meant I had also rejected those characteristics in myself.

Personifying Flora gave me permission to explore themes deemed taboo, cliché and untouchable by most of my creative peers while in art school.

I used her to heal that loss and as a vehicle to claim once again my birth as a female, from infant, to girl, sister and daughter to woman, partner and mother.

I used her to heal that loss and as a vehicle to claim once again my birth as a female, from infant, to girl, sister and daughter to woman, partner and mother.

Anne Elser 2011 Artist Bio

Anne-Davnes Elser began her education at the Cleveland Institute of Art, graduating in 1991 with a BFA in painting and ceramics. In 1997, after returning to Atlanta to study Graphic Design at The Portfolio Center, she began a long teaching career in Graphic Design, Calligraphy, Book Arts and Painting. Her classes range from graduate level classes to adult continuing education at the Kai Lin Art Gallery and Binders Art Supply in Buckhead. Anne also offers private lessons and weekend workshops in all of these areas.

Her latest teaching venture is a collaboration with artist, Performance Coach, and Emotionally Intuitive Facilitator, Debra Armentrout. Their intention is to provide intensive creative workshops for artists of all levels who are interested in going deeper, and unearthing inherent, unique, gifts and abilities, and subconscious subject matter. This lush depth is then made available, usable, to enrich the content of their creative work, as well as their lives.

Artist, designer, calligrapher and educator in the fields she loves, Anne's award-winning work has been featured in design annuals, calligraphy publications, books and in magazines.

Wife to Douglas, mother to Anton, mentor and friend to her students, Anne is not shy about sharing her creative content and process with others. All creative work has a story and gives voice to the important work of knowing self.

Anne Elser 2011 Artist Statement

I see our universe as a living, breathing organism, rich with color, passion, grace and infinite goodness. Believing our worlds reflect everything about us, I use symbol and metaphor while creating in fullness and in love.

The process of making art is opening to the idea of becoming an open channel for the neutral truth, and being an active participant in the deconstruction of our subconscious prejudices. Art is a snapshot of this process and a soulful reflection of the connections shared by all.

VIEW

2011-04-13T05:00:00.003-04:00

Somewhere in my memories of growing up I decided it was easier to deny my feminine side and remain in shame, rather than embrace my innate power as a female to create life from the simple ability to be alluring. Creating pieces for Flora has helped me heal a great deal of that shame, where my sexuality can remain less in shadow and celebrated more.

Flora here is wearing a blue dress with scalloped edging. Her underwear is pristine white cotton and she's lifting her dress to show you a little skin, a little lingerie (pretty pumpkin colored silk slip) and the depth in between her legs.

Her desire is as big as the horizontal view of the landscape her body suggests. Limitless blue sky with creamy subtle formations of clouds just beginning, a few crops planted to the left suggest some organization on her part - just how much to reveal to you herself and in what order to the layers begin to peel.

She is having a great amount of fun here, teasing you with her performance.

Flora can feel you watching her.

VIRGIN

2011-04-12T13:23:00.005-04:00

This is Virgin, part of the smallest set of paintings I did for FLORA at the Kai Lin Art gallery in Midtown.

She approaches every experience as a new one, and possesses the gift of being a beginner. Her expectations are created within each moment and are enough to keep her fully in them, rather than from a results-driven perspective.

She wears an ermine coat edged with hand-made lace. She is reborn in every single moment. She is egoless and just now beginning to come into color.

Her pages are empty and fresh and clean and white. She is on the verge of filling them with all her thoughts and drawings, yet recording everything isn't as important to her as experiencing the moment. Filling takes time to separate from the moment and to assume a judgement.

She is so at peace, she has no idea others see her as enlightened. Classification doesn't matter to her.

She simply IS.

Garden

2011-04-08T06:02:00.000-04:00

And this is GARDEN.

My Dad has a green thumb and I think I got some of his gift. I really hate getting dirty, but love the feel of dirt in my hands as I garden. Holding a plant in my palms and decorating the ground or a pot with texture, height and color is really very fun. And calming. I always feel centered after planting things.

So the calligraphic elements you see on my envelopes have resurfaced in many different ways. Swirls and swoops and flourishes and cusps are all the same really - they arrive in different media, they are god speaking to us in the very language we each know intuitively.

This is my garden, and I am that plant. I am those seeds that wait patiently for their turn, who negotiate their arrival above ground with every change of season. I am that patient seed who comes too early and decides to wait for another turn to come back. I am that tree whose root system gets bigger in the winter while at the surface is as quiet as a whisper. I creak in the bleak wind and ache to show the fruit of my efforts to someone who will notice my hard work.

I listen. Wait. Emerge and reach towards light.

One Moment

2011-04-07T06:47:00.001-04:00

This is my most layered Flora painting called One Moment.

In one single moment there is layer upon layer of detailed memories, emotions, present and past, within each person and their body, within a conversation between you and your higher self, between your past and present, between you and the person sitting next to you, the mail carrier down the street, the elements around you, all of your senses, your dreams, the things your body remembers and holds onto... all of it - ALL of these things have a greater purpose and it is their destiny to collide. That is friction, that is action and we can barely manage to wrap our heads around one single element. Our worlds are so vast and complex and we see only what we are meant to see and understand.

The painting is a snapshot of the layers I feel I CAN see. That is it's gift. To reveal to us commonalities and metaphors that help reveal us to ourselves. And I cannot tell you much more than that. I see One Moment as bursting with sunlight, as awakening, as a mixture of so many elements I love about my own femininity - needlework, lips, kissing, flowers, tatted lace, hooks and fasteners, motherhood, childhood, scalloped edges, mouths and teeth, fine fingers, spring pink, blushes, freckles, lingerie, lipstick, smiles.

The one moment began as my earliest memory - reaching for light and the colorful burst of pretty flowers, calling what it did to my face, naming my forehead my "happy." This is unashamed, unfiltered, undiluted happiness and joy. It is not afraid to change the painting, to allow the body to move and shift and settle into finding its posture of comfort within the frame.

My heart is open to this very moment.

To see One Moment for yourself, come to the opening Friday, April the 15th at Kai Lin Art. 7-10PM.

Fecundity!

2011-04-05T23:00:00.000-04:00

Here's a little one I finished today entitled Fecundity. She is 6 x 6 and part of a series of seven studies.

Look at all that beautiful blood. Slippery, warm, loaded with life, intense and vibrant, bleeding with enthusiasm, rich and pulsing. Blood cells dividing into a bouquet of flowers, eggs in an ovary waiting to be picked. Feminine Flora. The very best of what we are, how we came to be here, what we already know. Life finding a way.

Come meet her in person at the Flora opening Friday the 15th at 7PM at Kai Lin Art.

FART

2011-04-05T06:36:00.000-04:00

No, this piece is N O T going into Flora. Yu-Kai would have a heart attack. So I gave this instead to my brother Peter who turned 40 in March.

Peter and I share a long history of bathroom talk and dirty words. I remember Mom telling us that those were "bathroom words: poop, fart, farty fart face, pee, peenie, boobs, etc" and so we shrugged shoulders and hung out in the bathroom snickering into the mirror saying as many bathroom dirty words as we could manage before dinner.

Yep. Growing up with Peter and Tommy was pretty fucking awesome when it came to bathroom humor, slapstick comedy, inappropriate stories and comments, practical jokes and more. And no kidding, but my own mother showed us how to make your own poop. NO, not the real stuff. Fake poop out of pumpernickle bread, water and a few pieces of corn. Very realistic!

Anyway, I digress. Back to my story. After grad school I started needlepointing and began to make my own patterns. This one I did right before I met Doug (current husband who also loves potty humor, bless his heart) and I never got it framed. Ten years later Peter turns 40 and I've got the perfect excuse to finally finish the project.

A beautiful Fart pillow that I am told looks beautiful in his house.

Modeling

2011-04-04T17:44:00.006-04:00

Flora's busy finishing up paintings for the show. She's deep in process as her left brain withers away. Ha! It'll grow back at the opening on Friday the 15th at Kai Lin Art. For all you last-minute tax filers, I've heard the deadline has been extended to the 18th this year.

Introducing Modeling. She's a big one (24 x 36) all about the relationship between mother and son. Lots of blue hues and kisses of brick red and yellow ochre, Modeling refers to the example I present on a day to day basis to my son, who is now 4.5 and growing fast. Modeling comes intuitively and can also be an intentional presentation or idea you give your child. At least that's how I see it.

Recent events in Anton's life have rocked our family to its core. Having discovered weeks ago that Anton has sensory related issues surrounding Sensory Processing Disorder (fuck, I really hate that word! Not Fuck! I love the word fuck. Disorder is the word I dislike because it puts a negative connotation to a unique set of elements.) Why does different have to be negative?

You can already see the inner dialogue I am having with myself. These days, I am trying to let them (my issues) all come up and present themselves to me without pushing them away.

So, back to Anton. He's a strong-willed, sensitive, loving and confident young man. He's amazing. My greatest teacher. Two months ago the preschool he attended asked us to leave because of Anton's sensory outbursts. I had made several deep connections with faculty and staff there and we all loved it. They tried and tried to give Anton what he needed but there came a point where we all realized a change needed to happen.

So POOF, my son was home from school every morning and we had no place to go. I had a speech therapist and an occupational therapist working with Anton and every week was a grueling struggle for me as I tried to process all the new info, bring some kind of order to our lives and heal the stuff inside of me that was hurting. All my work was transferred to the weekends as Anton and I spent all day every day together.

Then one day we found Colleen, an amazing and intuitively gifted art student who decided to accept the part time nanny ad we placed. She comes three mornings a week and plays with Anton while I work. Now I've got time to feed myself, so then Anton can get fed. The production of the Flora paintings pumped into fruition and then somehow, all the OT stuff we were doing for Anton kicked in.

There stood a boy who knows his body, who can look at the Incredible Hulk and say, "Mommy, look how high his engine is running. He needs a brushing!" Anton is progressing in leaps and bounds. Next month we have him evaluated at Coralwood and hopefully placed there for the Fall.

During all of this transition, I tried hard to feel and accept everything that came to me. I was angry. Tired. Hurt. Frustrated. Overwhelmed. Bewildered. Ashamed. And then I thought, FUCK, I am modeling for Anton an anxious and afraid woman. Do I really want to show him that's the best he can do? The best he can expect?

So I stopped. And told myself that there was NO way I could do this perfectly. I saw the Black Swan (with my dad - NOT a good movie to see with your dad! and if you don't know why, go see it.) and the moral core was all about the pitfalls of perfectionism. We met with a PhD who told us Anton was lucky to have two right-hemisphere parents. He told us we were capable. And that our biggest hurdle to overcome was not Anton's "disorder" but our own fear. He said, "Enjoy him. Enjoy him or you'll miss it."

And suddenly, with that statement, it was possible for me to digest the information his OT (Kate Drummond of About Play (amazing person) was giving us and do it intuitively, from my heart as his mother and friend, rather than from a place of fear.
And then things began to fall into place.

I realized I didn't have to do all of this well or correctly. That I could care without obsessing. That I could ride this wild ride and that every step was made for me.

All of this reflection to me is a blooming flower. I am blooming. Anton is, too. Our realizations are happening between us - this shared experience of growth. My god. My GOD. God gives us the child we need to have.

One flourish in this painting is mimicking the other. Mirroring, modeling, blooming. Anton and I make track together in more ways than the literal. He's fascinated with trains and wheels and cars and tractors and I spend so much time drawing roads with him. So you see here and in a couple of other paintings roads, dashed lines, tracks that twist and turn. It's a painterly calligraphic element, it's a train track, it's my life.

Save the Date: The Blooming of Flora at Kai Lin Art

2011-03-29T12:16:00.002-04:00

Dear Friends,

The opening of Flora is coming Friday, April 15 and will feature my latest series of paintings of the same name.

I am grateful and very excited to be showing in the very good company of three fabulous artists, Drew Watts, Karen Divine, & Lucha Rodriguez. There are remarkable similarities and differences between us and as a whole, we stand before you with power and grace.

In preparation for the show, I personified Flora in an attempt to explore the core of my journey as a female creative. Diving deep into my earliest memories, initial education as a painter and in homage to the most recent events of my life, I have rediscovered a wealth of subject matter to explore, expand and unravel. It is all truth and there is story behind every stroke.

Come to Flora to see all fifteen of my pieces, some of which you see here.

Below are details. I would love to see you!

~Anne

Exhibtion Opening: Friday, April 15th, 2011

Time: 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Closing Date: Friday, May 27th, 2011

Artists: Anne Elser, Drew Watts, Karen Divine, & Lucha Rodriguez

Concept: Flora is a group show featuring four talented local artist that work in a wide range of mediums from photography to painting to hand-cut paper pieces.

Location: Kai Lin Art / 800 Peachtree Street Suite D / Atlanta GA 30308

Promotions and Marketing: Large viral online, print, and television, media campaign via social media, FaceBook, Twitter, 944, Fenuxe, Midtown Patch, Project Q Atlanta, Yelp, Kailinart.com, MetroMix, Scout Mob, Daily Candy, Common Creativ, Atlanta & Company, GA Voice, Campus Style, Atlanta G Spots, in addition to on-site display. Key members of the art and fashion industry and strong word of mouth promos.

For more info: Contact info@kailinart.com or 404 408 4248

Purge

2011-03-25T07:20:00.001-04:00

And this is PURGE, painting 6 in my Flora series at Kai Lin Art. The anthropomorphic shape at the bottom is still Flora, yet also serves as a flower vase. Our ability to not only recover, but over-blossom when pruned severely always amazes me. I love watching this happen in the garden and let me tell you - we are no different. Life always finds a way.

Last year we severely pruned ourselves by moving swiftly out of a house and lifestyle that drained us. It was chosen during a time when Doug and I didn't really know who we were as a couple, much less as individuals, and we just stepped into the path before us without much thought. So we left the church, sold more than half of our belongings, cars, clothes, furniture and other baggage and squeezed into a more comfortable setting closer in town, closer to Anton's new school at the time, and closer to everywhere I teach. It was a major downsize and hurt very much at the time, but DAMN, just look at the results. Blossoming everywhere. I am no longer hiding behind the facade of my past. I am instead, choosing the present.

PURGE is about purposeful change, transformation and all of its components. It is beautiful. We flourish simply from making a choice.

Private Bookmaking Instruction

2011-03-24T11:02:00.004-04:00

If you're interested in private bookbinding lessons, I offer 2-hour sessions at $120.00 for each session. I teach several bookbinding and container (boxes) making techniques. We can set up at your kitchen table or my private home studio.

Below is a link to both general and extended supply lists of the products and tools you would need to bring with you. Before a class, you would choose a technique to learn and I'd provide handouts and instruction based on your selection(s).

To reserve a lesson slot on my calendar, a non-refundable down payment of $60.00 is required. The best time for a lesson is after breakfast on a Saturday or Sunday morning.

Call 404.509.9676 or e-mail me at Anne@AnneElser.com

Download bookmaking supply list information here.

Kiss

2011-03-24T10:16:00.002-04:00

Introducing KISS, the 5th painting for the Flora exhibit at Kai Lin Art. Kiss is all about embracing beauty. I used a fair amount of linseed oil on this one - lots of thick, juicy paint and carved out some texture with a pencil. Painting flowers is nothing new, but it was really frowned upon during my initial training as a painter way back in undergrad. Flowers, pink and anything feminine was met with caution, as was applying sentiment. It was all considered cliché, as was any female art student who dared talk about that subject matter. I could go on and on about the experiences, but just know that I am grateful for them, because working through the issues I created surrounding them has been and still is an amazing journey.

Kiss is about self kissing, being kissed, kissing others, opening to, and actively surrendering into the feeling enjoyment. Flora here is finding her body and she's eating her dessert first before anything else. She rolls cake icing around with her tongue on the inside of her smiling mouth and it's the icing she's eaten first and she relishes in it. Maybe she'll have the cake later. She's sweet and pink and blushing and blooming. Her stockings are black to add contrast to the colorgasm she's experiencing now.