Join us for the Clinton River Arts Center Holiday Open House Nov 24!!!

This coming weekend, November 24 noon to 4 pm. The Clinton River Arts Center, Clinton, Iowa, will host a Holiday Open House Art Sale.

There will be a wide variety of at media available for sale. See my work and many others featured.

REMEMBER to shop local and support working artists and artisans in our area!

Here are some examples of my work that will be available!  I have designed a line of calligraphy greeting cards, just in time for Holiday letter writing!

Hope to see you there!

Back to Basics-Cutting Letters in Slate AGAIN!!!

Over the past few weeks I have taken up the chisel again. Paul Herrera has been guiding me through the fundamentals of cutting letters into slate. It has been over 25 years since my hand held a chisel and I find the experience exciting and challenging at the same time!  Holding onto the shaft of the chisel, guiding into the channel of the v-cut, and trying not to under or overcut that channel is a bit maddening!  I am having fun though, and will post progress in the coming months.

Advanced Calligraphy and Advanced Brush Writing Combined!!!

The CATFISH Letter Arts School will be combining two workshops into one!!!

ADVANCED CALLIGRAPHY AND ADVANCED BRUSH WRITING will be team taught by Amy Nielsen and Paul Herrera on Saturday, May 18 from 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., and Sunday May 19, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. at The Bettendorf Community Center, 2204 Grant St, Bettendorf, IA 52722.

Participants need to bring their own calligraphy pens and bottles of ink to this course. Practice paper will be provided at the workshop. 

This workshop will build on the experience a novice has with brush and dip pen calligraphy. Participants will review their current knowledge and learn new techniques for proper layout and
design of the calligraphic broadside using both brush an dip pen techniques. Instruction will be given in the harmonic balance of primary and secondary elements in good composition. Participants will be introduced to 2 new calligraphic hands, UNCIAL and REED ROMAN.


In addition, participants will be given advanced instruction in writing sign-writers script informal brush Romans, Brush Petrarch and Uncial. Instruction will also be given for the proper layout and design for show-cards, posters, and brush written broadsides. Emphasis will be placed on mastering techniques and completing one finished broadside with color. Instruction will be given in group and one-on-one. Students will take home their finished work, 2 brushes, exercise examples, and a workbook. COST: $65, plus $25 materials fee (Maximum 25 students; Materials fee covers workbook, paper and poster board, set of two brushes, and tempera paint for letter practice.) Students with photo id from their school will receive a $10 discount on the course fee.

Please email us at artlegacyleague@gmail.com to pre-register or with questions!

CATFISH Letter Arts School-Upcoming!

I am so excited to announce my next course for The CATFISH Letter Arts School!! Here is the course description.
ADVANCED CALLIGRAPHY TECHNIQUES
Saturday APR 20, 9:00 .m. – 4:30 p.m./Sunday APR 21, 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

INSTRUCTOR: Amy Nielsen

This workshop will build on the experience a novice has with calligraphy. Participantswill review their current knowledge and learn new techniques for proper layout and design of the calligraphic broadside. Instruction will be given in the harmonic balance of primary and secondary elements in good composition. Participants will be introduced to 2 new calligraphic hands, UNCIAL and BLACK LETTER in addition to being shown examples of illumination and engrossing techniques. Instruction will be given in group and one-on-one. Students will take home their finished work, exercise examples and a workbook. COST: $75*, plus $15 materials fee  (Maximum 25 students.)  To register, please email me at amysnielsen@gmail.com. The first ten people to email me and register through my website will receive 15% off the registration fee, which is payable at the workshop.  For more information on the rest of The CATFISH Letter Arts School courses, please visit the Art Legacy League website, www.artlegacyleague.org.

Introduction to Calligraphy THIS SATURDAY! Spaces still available!

Amy demonstrating while we set the room!

The CATFISH Letter Arts School held an Open House this past Saturday at our new home, The Bettendorf Community Center, 2204 Grant Street, Bettendorf, Iowa. Most of the Core Faculty were on hand to demonstrate calligraphy, stone inscription cutting, paper marbling and more!

The CATFISH Letter Arts School is a working division of The Art Legacy League. Check out the ALL website HERE.

I am teaching a two day Introduction to  Calligraphy seminar this Saturday and Sunday at the Bettendorf Community Center. You will leave being able to write beautifully. Very affordable. Supplies are included in the price $90. Discounts for students are available. Just bring your student ID along.

The ALL website has all the course descriptions and registration information. Email me if you would like to sign up. You can bring your form and class fees to the first meeting on Saturday morning. 

Calligraphy rocks.