Speaking to the Eyes: Handwriting as Image and Content

Instructor: Suzanne Moore

Day & Date: This class series has 9 total class sessions starting on October 16 and going through November 27, 2023. There will be two weeks in which class meetings will not be held so that artists may have further Studio Time.

There will be:

• 4 Monday Presentation Sessions (2 hours each) 10 AM to 12 PM Pacific Time
• 4 Friday Discussion Sessions (approximately one hour), 10 AM Pacific Time
• A Final Sharing Session on Monday, November 27, 10 AM to Noon which completes the class series.

Specifics by 2023 Calendar Dates:
Monday, October 16—Monday Presentation Session
Friday, October 20—Friday Discussion Session
Monday, October 23—Monday Presentation Session
Friday, October 27—Friday Discussion Session
October 29th through November 4th for further Studio Time
Monday, November 6—Monday Presentation Session
Friday, November 10—Friday Discussion Session
Monday, November 13—Monday Presentation Session
Friday, November 17—Friday Discussion Session
November 19th through 25th for further Studio Time
Monday, November 27, 10-noon (2 hours) Final Sharing Session will complete the series.

Time: All class start times are 10:00 AM, Pacific Time. Classroom doors open at 9:45 AM.

Venue: SDBA’s Zoom Account, to be recorded with access through December 27, 2023

Skill Level: All Levels Welcome

Materials Fee: None

Class Description: Speaking to the Eyes: Handwriting as Image and Content

“Whence did the wond-rous mystic art arise,
Of painting speech and speaking to the eyes?
That we by tracing magic lines are taught
How to embody and to colour thought? “
William Massey, from The Progress and Origin of Letters, First published before 1763

This 18th Century passage inspires an array of letter-based visions – legible and abstract. The possibilities of rendering verbal content as an image, in black and white or color, is underused and potentially powerful. In this class, you will use your handwriting as the vehicle for our journey to colorful and spirited expression of a word or phrase of your choosing.

Whether you love your handwriting or not, it is as unique to you as your DNA. Through a series of guided exercises and explorations, you will discover methods and techniques, based on handwriting (or your day-to-day “printing”) to create expressive new work. Experimentation with color media will offer both subtle and dramatic options for your finished work – coloring thought.

This exploration has the potential and was designed a inspiration for book artists, painters, printers/printmakers, and lettering artists, as a jumping off place to explore word-based image-making for book design, binding design, titling, painting and contemporary “illumination”, or in stand alone pieces in any medium.

This online class will consist of live Zoom sessions (recorded) offering demonstration and assignments. You may join the Zoom sessions, or play the Zoom recordings at your convenience, working as much as you wish between classes. Written content, PDF documents, and images will support each session. Assignments are open to broad interpretation, and all are encouraged to join the live Zoom “Discussion” sessions, to ask questions and exchange ideas.

In this course you will:

• Develop and morph your handwriting (or printing) to create a unique “voice”with which to render words as imagery.
• Explore the concept of hand written words becoming imagery for an array of creative work: painting, drawing, letterpress and various print techniques, for use in 2D and book work.
• Experiment with various mark-making tools and color options.
• Create a single work, or a series, applying the writing and color applications as needed.

A pre-class letter and assignment will “open the door” to the class.

Plan to work between classes, as much as your schedule allows, and posting on our classroom platform will allowing Suzanne and fellow students to ask questions and make comments. Since each student will take a distinct approach, based on their chosen word/phrase, this resource will be valuable to everyone.

Class Fees: Members-only Early Enrollment Price (EEP): $225, MEMBER: $280, NON-MEMBER: $355

EEP Deadline: August 16, 2023

Registration Deadline: October 1, 2023

Artist Bio: Suzanne Moore