N is for Neuland A to Z Challenge

A fine example of Neuland hand lettering done by Maria Montes.

 N is for Neuland. A typeface created by Rudolph Koch in 1923.

It's challenging to hand letter. The entire letter is done using the broadest area

 of your writing tool. It requires turning the nib at unusual angles. This makes it fun to play with.

Images from a class I attened several years ago to learn how to "do" Neuland.

you can tell I'm a newbie! 

 

  Hand drawn & cut out of decorated papers. Solves the nib angle problem. 

The above is by Carol DuBosch, a well known Calligrapher.

I am fortunate to have several OLD copies of the Speedball lettering books that were my father's.

 

This 14th edition is from 1941. When "fonts" were a hand done thing. 

Looks like a version of Neuland to me.

This is the last page & the lettering around the perimeter also looks like Neuland. 

There was a centennial edition printed a few years ago. 

Versions of this typeface have been used in some immediately recognizable places.

Mushrooms & Mosses

Mushrooms seem to have their own subculture of zealots. For their beauty, elusiveness,

 & their culinary applications.

 

In a previous post I focused the importance of looking down to observe.

 In that same post I identified these beauties, thanks to a freind on Instagram.

 Shaggy Mane  Coprinus comatus.  They are edible

There is a local Mycological society. 

 

Not to mention the wild mushrooms on offer at the local Farmers market.

In the next month or so there will be a frenzie to find the delicious Morel Mushroom. 

Several small towns near by have Mushroom Festivals. 

 Lets move on to mosses. A two M word day here on this blog.

 

 

 There was a reference to this book about mosses I ran across somewhere. 

It peaked my interest so I snagged it from the local library. It was fascinating!  

The link above to the GoodReads review tells you more about it.
Often overlooked they are an important part of the natural world we live in.

The vibrant green of the mosses grabs my attention. Learning more about how
 they grow & survive gave me a new appreciation for their delicate nature.

Do you notice little bits of nature in your surroundings?  Ever eat a wild mushroom?

 Ever hunt for them?

Aimee Lee Paper Maker, Artist, Author

Learning to make Hanji paper & what can be made from it with Aimee Lee was a pleasure. 

There is a great video in the above link to her site that informs you about Aimee's starting

 point for learning the process in Korea to make Hanji & her artistic drive.

L is for Aimee Lee 

It was the last time I attended PBI  (Paper & Book Intensive) that I took her class.

She weaves Hanji Ducks from twisted cords from the paper.

I had to have this duck she put on auction at the end of PBI.

Before he was mine hanging out with his friends on the display table at Ox-Bow

I took him to my work to meet a pal one day.

 

I would love to learn in more depth how to crate these lovely vessels. 

You can also knit with the threads from Hanji paper. Right up my alley.

I hope you take the time to look at her story & work. 

Yet another interesting journey by an artist I greatly admire. 

I'll be attending PBI again this year. I'm sure if you follow me 

you will see lots of my inspiration from this year's classes.