[Ansteorra] Question 01/02

[Elaine Crittenden]

AHHHhhh, New Year's Resolution(s) time again...

Some I have said so many times that they are now a joke in some circles.

This time I'm adding a new one:

Encouraging my calligraphy students, especially the ones in the 6-month
class I had in Steppes in 2004, to step off the cliff, so to speak, and to
fly their way into taking on text designing and lettering of award scrolls.
They will be a verrrrry special group, because not that many gentles do
lettering, although painters are a large group.

And now some personal philosophy:

For about 5 years, I once was the mundane protege of a national calligraphy
teacher. Saucily and in great ignorance of what I was saying, I asked him if
he could handle it if I got better at it than he was. His indignant reply
was something I treasure and try to live by:

"Handle it? I expect it!!!! If you don't exceed what I do, I won't have been
that good a teacher!  (R.I.P.,  Dick Jackson.)

To honor his teachings, I continue my unending road of remaining teachable
by fresh studies with other teachers, self-directed studies, commissioned
projects, and lots and lots of practice--to the point that I am known in
some areas of the mundane world, if not the SCA. Jackson's legacy is not
lost on me. I hope my students will do the same.

HL Lete Bithespring, Steppes, Ansteorra
Elaine Crittenden/Calligraphy Heaven, Dallas TX