Finally, I am able to share how my work has changed thanks to this class. In the past, my palette was limited to black, sepia and sometimes red ink. 

As some pals have seen, my first attempt was based on Celtic capital letters.

My proposal simplifies the original patterns for a simpler and readable look but retains the contrast between red, black, green, blue and gold that are typical of that aesthetic.

Later, I bound my own sketchbook and began to apply the methodology exposed by Claire. I practice, mainly, calligraphy of ancient hands and recently began to practice the modern. I used the color inspiration sketchbook to change the way I plan a quotation and to add interest by using a correspondent color scheme.  Here are some examples:

This is a verse of an ancient Nahuatl poem. I´m planning a complete transcription using the colors shown. At the right side, I added the English translation.

 

These blue furniture and pieces of art remembered me this beloved song and tried to give the feeling of a boat sailing on the water. I need to keep working in this style of letters.

The next page inspired me to write a poem to the pansies, the autumn flowers that soon will sprout.

The last example I want to share is a part of another project. My first CD of traditional Mexican songs. 

This is an extract of a song written by Mexican composer Manuel M. Ponce. Based on the idea of a heart beating, and waiting for the fulfillment of his longing, I researched for traditional crafts of hearts and found the "little miracles" (milagritos): traditional offerings that people bring to the Christ, Virgin Mary or other saints to manifest they gratitude for recovering the health or other mercies.

Those handcrafts are made of gold or silver. In this case, I made the mistake to write first and later illuminate the red background. It was difficult to maintain the neatness of the letters. Definitively I need to repeat this work. 

Yesterday a strong earthquake made me wonder about the sense of everything and realized how much we need the art. All kind of art. Not only to distress but to heal our souls and to remember in every circumstance the deepest and more authentic desires of our heart: the peace and goodness for everyone.

I´m adding this pangram in Spanish whose translation is "Cuetlaxóchitl, Mexican girl, embroiders fine geraniums, violets, hyacinths and a Quetzal bird to Wendy Ku".

Thanks for your patience and to be a so awesome creative community.

Eréndira Espinosa Velasco