Anyone fancy a trip to Die Letterhuis, for a course. Here is Heleen's first formal course that she is giving since moving to the farm. 13-15 October 2014 An introduction to Italic The Italic hand is a versatile script that lends itself to both formal, informal and creative applications. In this workshop we will discover our own calligraphic rhythm, learn the basic letter shapes and apply them in various weights using a variety of instruments. 17-20 October 2014 Scriptorium The Silent … [Read more...]
The House of Letters – peep inside
It has taken Heleen and Karel a long time to work out exactly how they were to use their new farm - apart from sheep farming. They knew that they wanted to reach out to other people with their gifts of hospitality and love. And Heleen also has a talent for and love of beautiful lettering. There are two parts to the farm - on either side of the main road, one with the original homestead and the other with the dams and a 1900's labourer's cottage, Die Letterhuis. Die Letterhuis will be a … [Read more...]
Die Letterhuis
As you drive Northwards from George in South Africa, you go through some magnificent krantzes, then suddenly you reach Die Letterhuis. Now imagine two long, low, white curving walls leading into a driveway. The walls have a long inscription in white mounted metal, capitalising on the harsh shadows fo the midday sun (38 - 40 degrees in February). And just at the end of the driveway there are 7 posts. This is a Work-in-Progress, as only some are complete. Our good friend Ley Mboramwe is … [Read more...]
Heleen’s Words
I have been friends with Heleen ever since we met at The Cape friends of Calligraphy, South Africa in 1985. She is one of those talented people who can just write beautiful letters and thoughts in any medium and on any surface. Who else would do lettering on a rusted flattened container and hang it on the wall with plants in it? Or on tree stumps, or floors? This window has been carefully designed and the lettering has been produced on a vinyl "sandblasted" transfer which was stuck to the … [Read more...]