In today's contexts, it is difficult to separate the
role of
scribe from that of artist. I am here defining it specifically to some
of my more archaic looking artwork that may incorporate writing on a
parchment or vellum surface. This may also include Heraldric devices.
Most of it is done for or at some sort of renaissance or medieval
faire.
Here is a general shot of the scriveners booth I once held at the now discontinued King Arthur Faire. It was generally a student art show of calligraphic illumination and heraldry. The work station on the end was for patrons who wanted to try their hand at using quills, ink, brushes and paint. [In the past I have played with traditional materials, including gold and silver leaf. To tell the truth, a good quality modern gold tempera paint looks almost exactly the same as leaf. So, please forgive my use of non traditional materials. It is the look which I often seek more than the process.] This coat of arms is one of many attributed to King Arthur. I selected this one because it is probably the least common depicted. I made up everything beyond the field and motto. Again, it is on a faux parchment paper. In a less secular vein, I often work with scripture illuminations. To the left is a Latin version of the familiar John 3:16 verse on faux parchment.
Here are two layouts for the Lord's Prayer in Latin. The first one uses iconography inspired by the Book of Kells, while the second one is more generic in origin. Again, these are in ink and tempera on museum grade vellum. If you look closely, you can even see the unfinished edge where the paper was molded. Most of my calligraphic work does not necessarily fit neatly into the scrivener's category. When designing, I often use print in conjunction with other art forms both traditional and contemporary. Nor do I necessarily stick to the Uncial hand used in the works shown above.[Of course, these actual artworks depicted here are much larger than presented, ranging anywhere from 8.5 in x 11 in to about 22 in x 28 in.] |