Full Circle — Déjà Vu! • by Linda Schneider

Have you ever wished you had an oasis? A place where time doesn't exist because you're relaxing, breathing deep, and doing what you're meant to do? That is where I am when I pick up my calligraphy-pointed pen. The tip dances like a ballerina with recorded choreography in the graceful flow of ink that is left in its path. (To view some of these dances by past and present calligraphers, visit iampeth.com.)

That Sweet Place in Life
Years ago when I picked up the pointed pen for the first time I was amazed at the beauty of a simple line graduating from thin to thick with just slight pressure on the pen. With a twist and a turn, loops and flourishes danced across the paper. I was in love!

Not a day goes by that I am not drawn to my calligraphy desk, where I find pleasure and escape. Once my pen is dipped into the ink and glides across the paper, I’ve found that sweet place in life. I’ve tripped and fallen a few times in learning my calligraphic steps, but I found pleasure in practicing, and that was the secret to success. Often my process is accompanied by classical music when making my calligraphic strokes, with a piece of dark chocolate by my side.

The Same World of Art
When I was a little girl I enjoyed creating. Art was created on furniture, walls, and any surface that would bear a mark; many times to the dismay of my ever-patient parents.

Recently I received a special envelope in the mail from my mother. Opening it with anxious anticipation, what was inside flooded me with nostalgia and surprise! I carefully removed the aged paper, somewhat tattered, which had images I had drawn over 45 years ago, autographed with my childlike signatures. I walked into my studio. Sitting on my desk were current calligraphic images resembling the same ones I’d forgotten from years earlier. The same world of art I created as a child and young artist came full circle from my innocent beginning. I have become a professional artist, lindaschneiderart.com, creating greeting cards for Papyrus Card Company, writing books on art and calligraphy, and passing on what I love to others through teaching.

Déjà Vu!

To learn more about Linda Schneider, visit lindaschneiderart.com.

Linda Schneider is the author of Designing Faces, Figures and Florals and More. Below are examples of work that she created at a young age, and how those works have evolved over the years.

This is an example of a before work done at a young age, and current work that has evolved.

 

It is in the simplicity of line I had at a young age with imagination for fashion.
I still have that today. Wow!

 

This is so amazing to me! Look at the similar poses! I am using a calligraphic line now. I love how I was working outside the box even as a young artist with blue skin and complementary colors (I am sure that was by accident since I hadn't studied art or color theory yet).

 

This is the last one of my examples of my artwork of faces, figures, and florals done as a young artist. How amazing that that is just what my book is about! Little did I know 45 years ago I would be passing on my love of art to others using the same theme.

Comments

[Kristen Schwark]

I love seeing how similar and how also how crafted and evolved your artwork is! Very interesting and beautiful!