Brody Neuenschwander teaches a workshop called Chinese Seal Script where students experiment with mark making using the Asian aesthetic of writing characters in different directions—in this case from top to bottom. I’m using Roman letters, morphing the letter shapes, and connecting them vertically. For visual interest, letters alternate tall/slim and short/wide.

To decipher the message, start with the ‘W’ in the top left and continue from top to bottom and left to right.

“We did not realize we were making memories; we just knew we were having fun.” A.A. Milne

Originally, this piece was created for the members of my calligraphy study group. Following Asian style, I intended to leave this black and white and add my red chop; however, it called for colour when the message was shared more broadly as a new year’s greeting.

Tim’s pen using sumi ink and watercolour on Saunders Waterford 140# CP.