About | Ruth Sutherland Calligraphy
Since a very early age I have been fascinated by pens and paper, the different types of fountain pens and styles of writing. At the age of 14 I was given a very nice Rotring pen, was this was to be the tool that transformed my writing. calligraphy very quickly became a serious hobby, and living on Dartmoor, there didn’t seem to be much else to do. At school my new hobby provided me with a skill that others could admire.
At about this time a television programme appeared on the BBC showing a calligrapher at work, and this left me transfixed, I knew this is what I wanted to do, even though I was only young at the time. As luck would have it, I found that such a course existed, at Reigate in Surrey. This course was an intense study of calligraphy Heraldry and illumination, taught by a Master Anthony Wood and was to be for two years. It taught me how to use vellum, gold leaf gesso and other interesting materials, all of which to me is pure alchemy. So my dream had been reached, obtaining a HND in Calligraphy.
Time went by and I didn’t lose the vision of my original dream. Although I was out of practise, I began to enter work into local exhibitions and have been fortunate enough to have various pieces in recent years accepted into major calligraphy exhibitions held by CLAS (Calligraphy lettering Arts Society) and SSI (The Society of Scribes and Illuminators). Since then, my dream is now becoming a reality. So here are a few of my most recent pieces, of which I hope you enjoy looking at.
In 2016, I was awarded a bursary for Devon's Emerging Artist (one of five) from the Devon Artists' Network. My calligraphic work has also been included in exhibitions at Buckfast Abbey, the Oakroom Tiverton and York Minster. In addition, some of my illustrations have been displayed at the Dartmoor Artists Exhibition and Devon Open Studios. In 2019, I took part in a national exhibition, Ways with Words VI, which was hosted by CLAS.
Since then I have been held my own small teaching group and some local workshops, including Exeter Letterers, Plymouth Calligraphers and Westcountry Scribes. I have been undertaking many commissions, including wedding calligraphy and family trees, and Freedom Scrolls for Exeter City Council and Hononary Scrolls
Some of my clients include:
Various churches for Rolls of Honour
Various local parishes
F W Marshall (Memorial work for Exeter Crematorium)
Ashburton Town Council
Ashburton Royal British Legion
Exeter Royal Albert Museum
Exeter City Council
Falmouth Town Council
Private clients
Molton Brown
Simon Petherick
Fatface
Christophe Szpajdel - Lord of the Logos
Shakti Ellenwood Jeweller
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Recent Events
Teaching at Exeter Letterers & Plymouth Calligraphers
Teaching at U3A & Ilminster Art Centre
Exhibition - Kennaway House (Sidmouth)
2018 WI Calligraphic Workshop
Greenhill Arts Exhibition
CLAS Exhibition Way with Words VI
Numerous private commissions
Craft Fair - Ashburton Makers Market
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If you are looking to work with me on a commission or for local teaching sessions, please contact me at ruthsutherlandcalligraphy@gmail.com or through the form on the Contact page.
Thank-you!
