Art Preferences, Opinion and Personal Responsibility

"You're the artist, you decide", some of my clients tell me. I can certainly make decisions about a calligraphy layout that can fit many people's preferences, but I think that everyone must realize that they DO have a preference. Even little children know what colors and kinds of clothes they like to wear. Within any decision, there is room for your personal preference.

It's not about being right or wrong. It's about honoring your unique view of the world. Yes, art can be expressed in countless ways, and to give over that choice to someone else is negating the importance of your vision. Many people say to me "I'm not creative, I don't know what's the best decision; I don't know what I like." But just think about it, if you are buying something for yourself, unless you will not be using or seeing your purchase, it will be part of your life. You might as well put some of yourself into that decision and LEARN about your preferences.

An unexamined life is not worth living.

Socrates, in Plato

Personal choice is one of the most important characteristics of our lives as human beings. Unlike animals that live primarily by instincts, we get to choose our path through life. Whether the choice works out the way we had envisioned or not, and what we tell ourselves about our choices is a determining factor as to how we define our lives: happy, successful, or whatever terms we use. People who have strong self-esteem are willing to take personal responsibility and make choices; and accept and deal with the consequences.

Getting back to art and calligraphy, many times the choice that you are being asked to make is about a decision for a gift. Oftentimes I find people making a choice based upon their own preferences rather than the preference of the person receiving a gift! That's probably not the best way to make a choice for your recipient. Think about THEIR preferences instead! If you don't know, maybe that's an indication you need to learn more about that person! Think about the clothes they wear, the colors they prefer, even their food choices can tell you something about them! You can also ask them questions and find out things about them that make you feel closer to them! It's a great opportunity. And if you get them a gift that really fits their preferences, they will appreciate it even more! (that's why I have custom gift choices available on my website)

So here's my latest calligraphy border that I would describe as "Contemporary and Colorful". See if that's something that you like, or get to know your preferences - do you like something more traditional, historical, muted colors, or pastels? Honor your opinions, but don't get stuck and stubborn. Being open to considering other choices is a sign of healthy flexibility. And please, realize that there is no right or wrong - If someone doesn't like this border design, I know, it is THEIR opinion, not a statement about my self-worth! How much better we could all get along if we realized that statements from others are simply their opinion and no reason for disagreement or anger!

So, those are my Words To Live By for now!

Love Quotes

We never know what life holds for us. Therefore it's important to make sure that we express what is in our hearts to those we care about, and never live with the statement, "I should have said". Expressing love and gratitude puts the "Law of Attraction" into gear, and you'll get back what you put out.

There are so many Love poems that I've done. I even written marriage proposals in calligraphy. I'm happy to report that every proposals was accepted with a happy YES answer. I've also written many personalized poems that some talented and caring person had written for their loved one. The sentiment is more important than being a Shakespeare, I can assure you.

Sit down and think about what that person means to you; how they have enriched your life and brought you joy. Let them know. If you don't want to have it written in Beautiful Calligraphy, write it yourself. Say those words, and open your heart.

BTW, for those of you who may not realize it, I am also a counselor and teach "heartfelt stress relief". I can assure you that while you are writing those words, you are giving yourself a big dose of stress relief, and making your body healthier!

So expressing love is important for both our emotional and physical health. Say those words, feel the love, be happy and healthy!

Love Poems and Romantic Gifts for Valentine's Day

I'd bet that from the beginning of time when humans first started communicating, words of love had been exchanged. Love poems for Valentine's Day gifts and poetry are some of my favorite calligraphy projects. Oftentimes, I receive a request of personally written poem that a man has written for a woman. I've even written some wonderful marriage proposals! How romantic! Who can reject the lover who expresses him or herself with poetic panache? (by the way, EVERY marriage proposal has been answered with an emphatic "YES".

There would be no story of Roxane be without Cyrano's beautiful love poems. (Make sure you see Steve Martin's funny and tender remake of this famous tale: "Roxanne").

Nowadays with computer research, if you're not a Cyrano, you can still have a romantic and personalized love poem written for you to give to your loved one! There are many services that can provide a made to order poem with specific details that you give the writer about your beloved. Make sure you read some of their work before you decide which author or service to use!

Some of the favorite love poems that I do regularly are ee cummings "I carry your heart", Shakespeare, Corinthians 13 (from the Bible), Emily Dickinson, and the "Apache Wedding Blessing". Some of them are in my store, and can be personalized with names and dates.

Love poems also make great Valentine's Days presents, birthday gifts, and anniversary gifts. Don't forget, even if you don't prefer a love poem, you can still write a Love Letter that shows your appreciation and care for that special person in your life.

Poetry for our friends is also a great way to show them how much they mean to us. Yes, email is great; but computers crash and correspondence gets "lost" on your computer. Somehow, there's a big difference between holding that love letter in your hand and reading the words inscribed in beautiful calligraphy.

Now men, if you want to complete the romantic scene, remember you can always add more to the gift by sending flowers! Personally, I'm very concerned about the environment, and prefer making sure that my flowers are organic. Many companies have flowers that are artificially colored, have pesticides, and aren't very healthy.

And what woman (sorry if this sounds sexist) doesn't love chocolate? Remember those romantic movies "Like Water For Chocolate", or "Chocolat"? Well, you too can be a hero by bringing or sending chocolate.

Remember, whenever you're thinking about getting a gift for a person you care about, think about what HE or SHE would like - not necessarily the things that YOU want them to have. That's the spirit of true giving.

Desiderata: Go Placidly amid the noise

The inspirational quote Desiderata by Max Ehrmann has been a calligraphy project that I've planned for a long time. "Go placidly amid the noise and haste" it begins, and continues to give you a recipe for the way to live a good life. I have been waiting to find a use for the amazing photographs from the NASA Spitzer Space telescope, and here it is: The Orion Constellation as a background for this beautiful quote.

I'm now making digital downloads available - you can print the calligraphy on your own printer, or have it printed in a number of wonderful places (I can give you referrals). This spiritual quote can be personalized for gift giving, or get it for yourself!

The entire text is below.

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.


Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.


Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.


Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.


Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.


You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.


Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.


With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Words To Live By

Did you ever realize that almost every house you walk into has some written words on their wall? Even in homes where there is not much art work, you'll find a house blessing, a favorite scripture, a funny quote magnet on a refrigerator, wedding vows... People like to have words around them to motivate, inspire and remind us about what is important in our lives.

On my website Beautiful Calligraphy, I seek to take these meaningful quotes, and then design them so that the meaning is evident in the design. You can see from this quote that there is emphasis with color and change in the "hand" (we don't call it font - that's a computer term). That helps to both beautify the quote and bring out the sentiment.

When people ask me to do a custom quote and say: I only want black writing on cream color paper, I first ask them to "stretch" and consider color and design. I tell them I don't work in b/w only - there's always a design feature - and that's probably why they like it. Otherwise you could just use a font on your computer and print on a nice piece of paper. When they get their finished work, they always agree with me.

Another thing is: LEARN about what makes beautiful calligraphy. Anyone can put up a website and claim they are experienced. And that could be true: But what they are doing in not quality work. Go to "about" on my site and learn how to spot quality calligraphy, so that you will get what you pay for! Yes, artwork is in the eye of the beholder, but in calligraphy there are "rules" about how to do lettering.

The thing that many people like about my work is that I personalize it for you: if it's a gift, with the recipient's name, date, etc.. I love to collaborate with my clients so that they know they YES, they too are creative and we work together to get exactly what will please them. So that they now have Words To Live By!