Now based back in Dublin, it was a pleasure to write these envelopes for Ruth and Jan. Not only were they fabulous envelope paper stock in dark midnight blue, but I had some beautiful Dutch addresses to write also - always a nice break from Irish familiarity. 

Following some metallic silver and gold trials, we decided on an off-white to match the invites. I wish these really cool clients a great wedding, loved working with them.

Copperplate with watercolored flowers and gold leaf decoration. 

...on the doorhandle.
Well, there was gouache and watercolour actually. This piece was a special commission which involved collaboration with my client's two young sons, who visited the Scriptorium to apply their hand prints in paint for their mother's special gift.

The poem is a well-known one amongst Irish students and from the pen of Séamus Ó Néill entitled, as gaeilge, 'Subh Milis', meaning "Sweet Jam". It's a poignant poem dedicated to the poet's mother (subtitle: "Ceann do Mhama"), and is one of his best-known works.

Click here for the poem text and translation.

I loved building this piece using the jam reference, the personal hand prints and our fun Saturday morning workshop,  and using the Irish uncial style of calligraphy.

A small commission with a great quotation from the world's greatest writer, 'Anon'!
39 x 49cm (mounted)
Gouache and ink on Fabriano Artistico

Chosen paper stock was Fabriano Artistico 180gsm which is perfect for scrolls as it has that lovely deckled edge top and bottom. But there was a challenge when all the names were scribed; a 80-100mm gap between last line and the end of the paper....illustrate it...or do something creative with the date? So I decided to emboss the year '2014'. The paper stock is perfect for blind-embossing, but it requires careful application so as to not puncture the paper but keep the indentation gentle and consistent. So I cut the template on board very carefully and used my dog-tooth gold burnisher to push out the letters. Here is the result;

It may have been the christmas holidays...but calligraphers NEVER take time off! I was delighted to have a commission to work on and this piece was a family gift; a scroll listing everyone's name along with a special date for the recipient. My client had already produced a draft for the piece and her layout really worked; compressed lines of text which were not centred, and in a modern versal style. Names would be in black Sumi ink, apart from the recipient family who's names would be in a deep Cadmium Red.

Some gold flecks and a matching ribbon completed the piece, here is the final;

Sumi ink, gouache and gold ink on 180gsm Fabriano Artistico, 750mm x 380mm, ©oonatully

Themed wedding table names, as famous romantic films! Each one will be framed in a gold frame for the guests' tables. What a great conversation trigger for the happy guests.
I really need to see some of these great films again, especially Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

Enjoyed writing these. Have a wonderful wedding day, Catherine.

Copperplate calligraphy in black ink on cream card, 105mm x 175mm.

Birth Congrats. piece; 305 x 381mm (12" x 15"). Gouache, ink and gold leaf on Fabriano Artistico 200gsm. 2013.

Something to cherish and an ideal gift for a newborn.

Home from a tough end-of-month deadline at the day job to this welcoming comment on Elance;
Feedback Comments: “Amazing artist! Her work is beautiful.”— jcurrin

All mounted and ready for collection! What an uplifting poem to do.
594 x 420mm
Gouache, ink and gold leaf on Fabriano paper, mounted on board.