mixed media canvas art with modeling paste and calligraphy

Ok, I have to trumpet my own horn for a just a second- I just made my first video!!  I cannot begin to describe how stoked I am about this.  Yes, there are some things I need to get better at.  You always have to keep learning.  But I don’t think I did too bad, for my first time.  :)  What do you think?

There something about words and the way that they’re written that fascinates me.  Words are symbols that we ascribe meaning to, in order to communicate.  By themselves, words are simply combinations of lines and curves.  But given meaning, we are able to make combinations that communicate ideas, build relationships, and form the foundation of civilizations.

In this piece, I used calligraphy to create what I had pictured in my mind- a river of words and meaning. Perhaps that meaning is negative, perhaps positive, but really it is a combination of the two.  Sifting through the mess to find the truth underneath is difficult and takes skill and practice, but it’s essential to try.

mixed media canvas art with calligraphy text

12 replies
  1. Susan
    Susan says:

    Your web site is great, keep up the good work. Your tutorials are very helpful, especially when you include the written information re. the supplies you use. Thank you! And also, do yoou “fix” your finished works with anything or leave as is?

    • Anjuli Johnson
      Anjuli Johnson says:

      It depends on the materials I’m using. India ink is permanent once it’s dry, so I don’t need to seal it or anything. Walnut ink, yes I would seal it. Usually, thought I leave it as is.

  2. Susan
    Susan says:

    You did a beautiful job on the video, and the finished project was gorgeous! I am a calligrapher and simply love the “painterly” look. May I ask what you were writing or was some of it for the effect of texture? Hope to see more of these videos…thank you!

    • Anjuli Johnson
      Anjuli Johnson says:

      Thanks Susan! Usually when I write like this on my art, it’s either individual words, or just gibberish, messy writing that focuses more on shapes instead of actual words. I say calligraphy for lack of a better word- I am very unpracticed and the only way I can make it look cool to my own eyes is to go really fast and make it messy and fun. I love to add text to my art, even gibberish text, because I love the look and I find a lot of meaning in written words and letters.

      • Susan
        Susan says:

        Anjuli, thank you for your response. I just found it after all of this time! I had been looking on your website, trying to find this video and could not retrieve it, but finally I thought of googling you and “deluge” and there you were! I appreciate your input. Your work is colorful, original and inspirational. Please continue with the videos as they are very well done and informative. We’ll be in touch…grazie!

  3. Sharon Fritchman
    Sharon Fritchman says:

    Your art work is so inspiring and beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing your video with all of us! And thanks also for your visit to my blog! Yours is amazing!!

Comments are closed.