Calligraphy by Raoul

Jean-Théophane Venard’s Last Letter to his Father

Posted on March 5, 2018 by raoulpat

A missionary working for the French Foreign Missions in West Tonkin (northern Vietnam) Jean-Théophane Vénard was arrested and executed in 1861 for proselytism. During his captivity, he wrote inspiring letters to his family and superiors, demonstrating his outstanding faith. He was canonized in 1988. I was commissioned to do this piece. #jeanthéophanevénard #catholicmissionaries #christianmartyrs #calligraphy #calligraphybyraoul #calligraphie #copperplatecalligraphy #calligraphieanglaise #pointedpencalligraphy #winsorandnewtongouache #archestextwove

The Call of the Wild

Posted on January 3, 2018 by raoulpat

This quote from Jack London’s Call of the Wild always gives me goosebumps.

My calligraphy is on exhibit at the Saratoga Library through January 31st. I will be giving a calligraphy demo there, with other Pacific Scribes calligraphers, on January 20th, John Hancock Day. Please come to say hello and check out the artwork.

Posted in Blackletter, Calligraphy, Quotes | Tagged Blackletter, Calligraphie, calligraphy, Calligraphy by Raoul, Gold Leaf, Gothic, Gothique, Gouache, Jack London, Pacific Scribes, Saratoga Library, The Call of the Wild | 5 Comments

Speculating on the Nature of Transformation …

Posted on October 26, 2017 by raoulpat

This is a collaborative piece that I did with Delaney and Chin. A tree branch, a trowel and a toy truck carrying logs to the lumber mill are reminders of the gardening and landscaping projects that D&C do.

Posted in Calligraphy, Copperplate, Pointed Pen | Tagged Calligraphie, calligraphy, Calligraphy by Raoul, Copperplate, delaney and chin, Gold Leaf, Pointed Pen, Speculating on the nature of transformation | 6 Comments

Calligraphy on Prayer Wheels

Posted on September 7, 2017 by raoulpat

Doing gilded copperplate on steel prayer wheels for Delaney and Chin. This is the first time I have had to wear knee pads while doing calligraphy.

" the mantra om Mani Padme hum invokes the spiritual power and blessing of Chenrezig, the embodiment of compassion." Dharma / Haven.org St Francis' prayer invokes balance and compassion in our daily lives. The action of turning the cylinder / prayer wheel upon which these prayers are written evokes blessings and healing 4 the person who is physically spinning the wheel of Dharma. This act is said to also benefit the community the person who is spinning the prayer wheel. Has anyone recognized what these metal cylinders are? @raoulpat #tibetanprayerwheel #outdoorart #spiritualart #artinthegarden #artinmotion #goldleafcalligraphy #goldleaf #copperplatecalligraphy #delaneyandchin #topherdelaney #calvinchin #recycledart #transformation #buddhism #prayer #powdercoating

A post shared by Delaney + Chin (@delaneyandchin) on Aug 31, 2017 at 6:50pm PDT

Posted in Calligraphy, Copperplate, Pointed Pen | Tagged Calligraphie, calligraphy, Copperplate, delaney and chin, Gold Leaf, instacoll, prayer wheel, topher and delaney | 3 Comments

Homage to Liu Xiaobo

Posted on July 16, 2017 by raoulpat

In memory of Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo, who died in prison on 13 July 2017. This citation is from the Charter 8 manifesto, which he and other Chinese intellectuals and human rights activists authored in 2008.

Posted in Blackletter, Calligraphy, Quotes | Tagged Calligraphie, calligraphy, Calligraphy by Raoul, citations, free speech, human rights, Liu Xiaobo, Nobel Peace Prize, Quotes, Xiaobo | 1 Comment

I’m With You

Posted on June 19, 2017 by raoulpat

Alan Ginsberg dedicated the third section of Howl to Carl Solomon, whom he met at a psychiatric hospital in 1949. Ginsberg sympathized with Solomon, who, like Ginsberg’s mother, struggled with mental illness and received shock treatment. He describes the events that occurred in Solomon’s life, including the horrors he endured in the psychiatric institution (Rockland.)

This piece was accepted into the Painted Words exhibit at the Sebastopol Center for the Arts. It will be there through July 23rd.

Posted in Blackletter, Calligraphy | Tagged Acrylic paint, Allen Ginsberg, Blackletter, Calligraphie, calligraphy, Calligraphy by Raoul, Carl Solomon, Gothic, Gothique, Howl, Mental Illness, Painted Words, Sebastopol Center for the Art, Sumi ink | 4 Comments

We Stand Together

Posted on May 28, 2017 by raoulpat

In remembrance of the victims of the bombings at Manchester Arena on May 22nd, 2017, and in support of their families and friends.

Posted in Blackletter, Calligraphy | Tagged Calligraphie, calligraphy, Calligraphy by Raoul, manchesterarena, manchesterattack, manchesterunited, prayformanchester, standtogether, standwithmanchester, Sumi ink, Westandtogether | 3 Comments

O Sleep

Posted on May 16, 2017 by raoulpat

I have always sympathized with King Henry IV who desperately laments his inability to go to sleep.

Continue reading →

Posted in Blackletter, Calligraphy, Quotes | Tagged Calligraphie, calligraphy, Calligraphy by Raoul, Ink stick, Pergamenata, Shakespeare, Sleep, Sumi ink | 7 Comments

Happy Birthday William Caslon

Posted on April 22, 2017 by raoulpat

William Caslon put England on the typographic map in 1734 when “Caslon” came out, providing stiff competition for Dutch typefaces. It became the most popular typeface of the 18th century, in particular in the colonies, where it was used to print the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution. George Bernard Shaw admired the typeface so much that he insisted that all his work be set in Caslon. When not designing type, William brewed beer for his monthly soirées.

Posted in Calligraphy, Copperplate, Pointed Pen, Typography | Tagged Calligraphie, calligraphy, Copperplate, William Caslon | Leave a comment

Italian Hand

Posted on April 14, 2017 by raoulpat

Last weekend, I attended the Poetic Pen calligraphy workshop, taught by Heather Held, where we learned Italian Hand, the ancestor of English Roundhand. It’s quirky, but Heather’s enthusiasm is infectious, and I soon fell in love with its blobs and flamboyant curlicues. This is my exemplar.