Enjoy the Imperfect

enjoy

There are so many reasons I should not have posted this graphic. For one thing, I don’t even know how to do calligraphy properly. Yet, here I am posting this for anyone to see! Not only that but I tore the paper too close to the bottom edge so it’s not centered. But you know what? This graphic makes me happy every time I look at it because I know how much I enjoyed creating it. I have this lovely book on Modern Calligraphy and it has some wonderful examples and practice exercises in it. IF I were a patient woman I would have waited until I completed these most valuable lessons, and achieved some kind of fluidity in my penmanship. I am pretty patient when it comes to people, but in the last couple of years….this last year especially, I am becoming much less patient with things that I realize DON’T REALLY MATTER.

Do you care that the “o” in my graphic is way higher than the “n”?

Seriously, it does not bother me. What I think of when I look at this, is how much I enjoyed using real parchment paper. (yes that’s what it is). I delighted in dipping the pen tip into the bottle (straight into the bottle! I didn’t even pour it into another container!) of rich black ink and then swooshing it over the paper. The curves and swirls felt divine. And that “E” is just decadent. This style of writing doesn’t really even go with the little flowers in the background but I picked them because it’s a happy background, and I felt happy using my calligraphy book and pens, and just going for it.

I am happy writing this. I am happy that after years of thinking about it, and half starting it, I have this website that shows (exposes) my art and writing…..all from the heart, all imperfect. But everything you see on this site has been “en-joyed” – filled with joy.

If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.  I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
John 15:10-11