*Originally posted on my Loopy Letters blog*
Although I’m no longer using this blog for the Loopy Letters project there will still be gratuitous shots of calligraphy. Sometimes I forget to upload pictures to Instagram or Flickr so slapping up pictures of my most recent work on this blog will help me keep a personal record.
I wrote this quote out for a blogging chum in exchange for a crochet bunny. I was very happy with the bunny, but not so happy with my attempt at writing the quote. Sometimes I genuinely don’t like my own calligraphy, and this was one of those moments – it looks very stiff to me and ‘try hard’. Whenever I do try hard I seem to lose fluidity. One of my calligraphy goals is to achieve the look of freedom and flow. So, I wrote the quote out again, and made a bit of an effort with the background.
I liked this effort more. It feels more fluid… yet I put more effort into this one than the one above! I like mixing up scripts as well, it gives the work more texture. Anyhow, neither were as good as the crochet bunny I received in exchange! Yes, I know, where is the picture of the crochet bunny?
Wonky Words 
They both look splendid! The first one is very exquisite, precise. The second is lush and thriving and alluring. I like them both, and Mark Twain is a genius! Great art! Thanks for sharing these.
LikeLike
I really enjoy Twain quotes, Mr Swings! They are concise and to the point. Thank you so much for your kind words!
Sx
LikeLike
Super, but I’m always bowled over with your work. As you know I’ve mused long and hard about calligraphy, and one of my conclusions is that it’s a matter of spending decades learning to control the pen with perfect predictability, in order to fake spontaneity. It’s a paradoxical activity in many ways, or perhaps it’s me that’s a bit odd. The first version looks perfectly jaunty to me, whereas the second is positively skipping along. Dorothy Parker for me, by the way!
LikeLike
You are spot on with your assessment of learning calligraphy, Mr Batarde!
Dorothy Parker… sigh… this means I will scrap the birthday idea that I’ve been working on for the last five days and start looking for suitable DP quotes instead!
Sx
LikeLike
Oh lawks, don’t be doing that!
LikeLike
Maybe it is a little late to change the plan… !
Sx
LikeLike
What did you do with the first one? If you’re so dissatisfied with it, I’ll take it! I think it’s splendid. By the way, the inscription on Charles Bukowski’s gravestone is “Don’t Try.” I’m not kidding. His philosophy is that trying always leads to trying too hard. Ride the wave. Find the flow. It’s all very Zen.
LikeLike
Monsieur Pain – I sent both to my exchange buddy, so that she had a choice! Charles Bukowski is right – sometimes it’s best just to go with your gut feeling. And don’t worry, there will be something in the post for you soon!
Sx
LikeLike
They are both lovely, but quite, quite different. I would say the first one is more formal – as if for a wedding or other such “do” – while the second (my favourite, too) is atmospheric and airy, inviting more thought. Or somesuch. Plus, it has a tea/coffee ring – I must go and make myself a cup now.
LikeLike
Thank you, Mr Devine! I love that tea or coffee ring – I might have to add one to everything I do… with a few cake crumbs for good measure…. perhaps people would like to exchange cake for calligraphy???
I like lemon drizzle cake, and also coffee and walnut cake. Just saying.
Sx
LikeLike
I have just seen your very sensible suggestion at Eros’s that he should find himself naked amidst the chocolate, cake and calligraphy enterprise. I will make a lemon drizzle cake (or get The Mother to make one as she’s better at them than I am) if it will secure the occasion?
LikeLike
I know! Genius idea! Perhaps we should let Mr Swings do most of the work and we’ll sit and eat the delicious Lemon drizzle cake…. whilst watching and learning, of course.
Sx
LikeLike
I’m happy we have a choice of calligraphy styles, depending on our mood.
Did someone mention cake?
LikeLike
Well, this is my problem, Ms Mistress – too many styles to choose from…. at least I know where I am with cake.
Sx
LikeLike
Oh, I’m on board with the stained, light-hearted one! Our inexplicable friend beat me to it with the comment about formality.
Now, I must pop across the Big Water and see what this tea party is all about…
LikeLike
Helloooooo, Dinah!
This is a post I imported from Loopy Letters, which I am closing down I didn’t want to lose the posts… so here they are in all their sloppy glory. I seem to have contradicted myself in this one and didn’t bother to correct myself. Sadly I think the tea party is over now!
Sx
LikeLike
All that work for a crochet bunny? Does it fit nicely over your loo roll?
I like the second one, because it looks like any piece of paper that sits by the side of my computer after I’ve left a few mugs of decafe on it.
LikeLike
I love my crochet bunny, Joey!!!
Yes… the second quote has a look of authenticity about it…. my desk does need a wash and brush up [crumbs].
Sx
LikeLike