Author: Mary Gow

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Fluffy’s Hello

"Fluffy in the Window," Drawing by Mary Gow
“Fluffy in the Window,” Drawing by Mary Gow
While walking in a residential area near the Mission Campus of San Francisco’s City College recently, I spotted a dog that came to look out a window of an old Victorian. I felt her “hello.” She had a delightful energy. (I know the dog was a “she” because someone walking by knew her). This is my first drawing of a dog.

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A New Series Featuring Furry and Feathery Friends

"The View's Better When We're Flying, Isn't It," Digitally Enhanced Photo by Mary Gow
“The View’s Better When We’re Flying, Isn’t It,” Digitally Enhanced Photo by Mary Gow
Let's Take Nest Building 101,
“Let’s Take Nest Building 101,” Photo Illustration by Mary Gow. Photo taken at La Jolla Beach.

I'm Naturally Handsome, I Know." A portrait of Tarzano, photographed by Mary Gow.
I’m Naturally Handsome, I Know.” A portrait of Tarzano, photographed by Mary Gow.
I’ve created my first series of photographs featuring animals. Here are examples of what’s in a current show. At first I had titles like: “Us Two at the Golden Gate Bridge,” or “Us Two Building a Nest a La Jolla Beach,” and then I thought how blah that sounds.

There’s portraits in this series too. Instead of putting the cat’s name as the title I came up with slightly quirky titles. I called this cat portrait “I’m Naturally Handsome, I Know.” Do you think it fits?

As you can see, I love creating in a variety of ways: calligraphy, abstract imagery, landscapes, photography, photograms, scanograms, monotypes.

Oops, I left out fashion illustration and feature writing. The list is like a living organism.

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Awake, Aware, Alive

I thought I’d share this piece I didn’t submit but created for the Friends of Calligraphy member show that’s on display at San Francisco Public Library’s Skylight Gallery.

"Awake, Aware, Alive," by Mary Gow.
“Awake, Aware, Alive,” by Mary Gow.

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Artistry on Display at Friends of Calligraphy’s Kalligraphia XIV Show June 13-Aug. 22

"Be Brave," by Mary Gow. Calligraphy on color reproduction of painting on canvas.
“Be Brave,” by Mary Gow. Calligraphy on color reproduction of painting by Mary Gow.
On an impromptu trip to the main San Francisco Public Library three years ago I stumbled upon a beautiful array of calligraphic artistry that was Kalligraphia XIII. It’s the once every three year exhibition of the members of the Friends of Calligraphy.

I blogged about that experience — loving seeing Monica Dengo’s demo I videotaped it and you can see it in this entry: “Sense the Space: Improvise!.” And I had met Mr. Thomas Ingmire briefly in 1996 so it was a thrill to see him and his work there: “Inspiration from the Work of Master Scribe Thomas Ingmire.”

Three years have passed and it’s time for another Friends of Calligraphy members show at the San Francisco Public Library. The Opening Reception for Kalligraphia XIV is 2-4 p.m., Sunday, June 14, sixth floor, Skylight Gallery, 100 Larkin St.

I decided follow my passion for lively lines and became a member of the Friends of Calligraphy. The “Be Brave” image in this blog post isn’t the piece I have in the current show. Drop by if you can and take a look!

The viewing hours are:

Sunday Noon to 5 p.m.
Monday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tuesday – Thursday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday Noon to 6 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

After the opening reception tomorrow from 2-4 p.m., there’s a full schedule of events at the library this summer that are free and open to the public.

June 20: 2-4 p.m. Gallery Walk & Talk
Meet at Exhibition Entrance, Skylight Gallery, Sixth Floor. Friends of Calligraphy members Georgianna Greenwood, Thomas Ingmire and Chris McDonald will walk through the exhibition and give an overview of the pieces on display.

Calligraphy Demonstrations
Seven Saturdays this summer noted calligraphers will offer demonstrations of calligraphy, materials and methods.
Where: Latino-Hispanic Community Room (lower level), 2-4 p.m.
These demos are free and open to the public.

July 11: Ward Dunham
Blackletter

July 18: Carl Rohrs
Brush versus Pen

July 25: Georgianna Greenwood
Roman & Celts: Early Book Scripts

August 1: International Talents from Passionate Pen
Gemma Black
Words are more than ink on a page

Pat Blair
Letters and Petals: Copperplate, Flourishing & Painted Petals

Monica Dengo
Intercultural Calligraphy

Suzanne Moore
Finesse: Detailing the Zero Edition with Pigment and Leaf

Carol Pallesen
Lots of Boxes

Marcy Robinson
Simple Marbling Techniques Using Pastels & Shaving Cream

August 8: Judy Detrick
The Men in Tights Who Invented Italic

August 15: Sara Loesch Frank & Evelyn Eldridge
Calligraphy Tools & Materials

August 22: Raoul Martinez
Copperplate

See the San Francisco Public Library’s webpage about Kalligraphia XIV here.

Hope you don’t miss this opportunity to see some exquisite work!