Marking Time: Introduction to a Daily Practice

Cover of book by Sherrie Lovler — Hand-painted cover of 3x4” book by Sherrie Lovler

It began as a project to hold the pandemic in a positive light — to create art in a 3x4 inch book I had made. By painting a page spread every day, creativity flowed through me. These pages were not planned — I used whatever tools and paints were on my desk from earlier projects (one of the benefits of NOT cleaning up after I paint) and let my imagination flow.

This idea seems to have a life of its own. First, I got accepted to teach a class inspired by the book at Write on the Edge, the calligraphy conference planned for last June in Northern California (canceled due to the pandemic), which led to an article in the Friends of Calligraphy quarterly magazine, Alphabet, which, serendipitously, led to an article about my work in Letter Arts Review. And now, it has led to teaching the class online in segments.

Marking Time: Introduction to a Daily Practice (offered prerecorded) is a two-hour class in two parts — first we make the book, then we paint a page spread (the two facing pages of a book). Instruction begins with a prep video on how to cut the paper along with written directions. During the Zoom class we work together to assemble the book and sew it using a 4-needle binding technique.

Handouts for *Making it Your Daily Practice*

If this practice grabs you, there is the follow up: Making it YOUR Daily Practice — four more lessons on Tuesday mornings from 11–12 noon Pacific Time. (All lessons are recorded, so if that time doesn’t work, you can view it at your leisure.) These lessons come in sets of 4. Lesson 1 was included with making the book. Lessons 2–5 are filled with art tips, guidance and fundamental lessons in art. So far we have covered the double primary palette and how to mix “clean” colors, how to mix “muddy colors,” working with the value scale with color and with just ink and water. We’ve worked with gold leaf and design concepts. Lessons 6–9 covers making harmonizing colors, wabi-sabi, asemic writing and folded pens.

The next set of 4 lessons begins on June 13th. Lessons 22–25 do not rest on the previous lessons, so you can sign up for this group at the same time as you sign up for Marking Time or after you take that class. No art or calligraphy experience is needed.

My intention is to create 31 lessons (one for every day of the month), each covering an aspect of art. These include harmonizing color, writing with different tools, making a folded ruling pen, the Japanese Zen circle (ensō), asemic writing, traditional book page layout, principles of design. Basically, a course in art unfolding in small steps, all captured in the book that you make.

Where can a daily practice take you?

Marking Time: Introduction to a Daily Practice
Prerecorded Video with handouts and supply list

Making it Your Daily Practice
Tuesdays, June 13, 20, July 11, 18. 11am–12 noon PDT