While reading Stephen Greenblatt’s The Swerve, I became interested in Lucretius, the Roman philosopher and poet who authored De Rerum Natura (On the Nature of Things). This quote from his book expresses one of his principle beliefs: that it is useless and detrimental to fear the afterlife. In a way, it is a Latin version of Don’t Worry, Be Happy. I did this piece as my final project in Judy Detrick’s recent Uncial class.
Until a friend asked me to copy this poem, I had never heard of the Mexican modernist poet Amado Nervo. His poem expresses Nervo’s feelings about his life and how fairly it has treated him. Continue reading
En hommage aux victimes de l’attentat à la rédaction de Charlie Hebdo.
In memory of the victims of the massacre at the editorial offices of Charlie Hebdo.
Media: Moon Palace Sumi ink on Canson Pro-Layout Marker paper. Dimensions: 11″ x 14″ Artist: Raoul Martinez Title: Quelle bonne chose! Author: Pierre Loti (Julien Viaud)
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Media: Gold leaf, watercolor, gouache and sumi ink on white pergamenata. Dimensions: h: 20″, w: 16″. Artist: Raoul Martinez. Commission for the Horizons Foundation. Title: These I Singing in Spring. Author: Walt Whitman
Brush-drawn zoot suit sale sign by Bonnie. Siegel’s Clothing Superstore, 2366 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA.
Blue and turquoise brush alphabet. Calligraphy by Karlgeorg Hoefer. The Harrison Collection of Calligraphy & Lettering, San Francisco Public Library.
This was my final piece for Judy Detrick’s Fraktur class at Fort Mason. Sumi ink, gouache and gold leaf on white pergamenata. If I had to do it all over again, I would have done the title in red.
Hello! I’ve finally started creating a real website for my calligraphy. Stay tuned for more updates. Until then, you can view my work at my web album Calligraphy by Raoul.
Calligraphy by Raoul 