Scribbled Lives Week 49—Weathergrams

New to weathergrams, I was interested to learn its history from the writings of originator Lloyd J. Reynolds. A weathergram is a short poem (ten words or less) written on a strip of paper, then hung outdoors to weather. The poems are simple, spontaneous, and often characterize nature or a season. As a weathergram is exposed to the elements, the paper will fade, develop ragged edges, and eventually return to nature.

Lloyd Reynolds founded The Portland Society for Calligraphy and developed the weathergram as a way to encourage students to create beauty and share their calligraphy. A weathergram is traditionally made from Kraft paper and measures about 2.5 x 10 inches. A recycled grocery sack came in handy.

A short verse is written in Italic. Acrylic vermilion may be used for the initial and Higgins waterproof ink for the remaining text; other inks tend to fade quickly. The artist’s chop may be used as a decorative signature. According to Reynolds: “…cursive Italic is the letter form for the weathergram, not formal calligraphy. The writing should be spontaneous and should not look contrived or self-conscious.” Oh, perfect for lettering practice!

The weathergram is then hung on a branch in the garden, at a campsite, or along a mountain trail and exposed to age in the sun, wind, and rain. My first weathergrams are now suspended from branches in our yard—I tried to photograph them, but today is too windy! I’m looking forward to watching them age over the winter.

I was pleasantly surprised at how well Kraft paper holds a hairline! Higgins Eternal did blob in places where the paper surface was inconsistent or blemished, but that added to the ephemeral nature of the weathergram. Nibs and inks on Kraft paper, linen twine.

More weathergram stories:
Weathergrams
Strength and Resilience
Weathering Winter
Nestergram
Weathering Spring
Chiming In
Heart of a Weathergram