I was really THRILLED the other day when I found a calligrapher relatively close to my home that would give me private lessons. I wanted the lessons for two things--one to learn how to improve my just GROSS handwriting (my printing is not bad in case you were wondering) and two to learn how to do pointed pen calligraphy. I took one class in the pointed pen method at Paper Source a year ago and really enjoyed it (very, very basic). I found it relaxing and gosh only knows I need some relaxation in my life. I had asked my Fancy for lessons for Christmas and he obliged, thus far he's indulged me in my every whim: the impossible to get endangered Gocco, the 'real' silk screening classes (messy), the beautiful camera, photography lessons, Polaroid transfer class, the book binding class (I cut like I am drunk), I can't even think of everything at this moment. Suffice to say I LOVE to learn and explore as long as it doesn't lead to any tchotchkes like end result. I don't like tchotchkes. Which leads me to my calligraphy lesson. Oh dear...
Last night was my first lesson and I thought I might implode from excitement. The teacher kindly scheduled me after work which is a little late for most lessons (I am assuming) and I was grateful. Not knowing how long it would take me to get across town I was there a wee bit early, it was 6:42p.m.. I called, the teacher answered and snipped, "I thought you were going to be here at seven!". I was taken aback, I stuttered, "I, uh, well, uh,I can wait in my car, if you want." She answered, "Well, I am in the middle of dinner." Gulp, "Okay, I will see you at seven," I muttered. I guess she was hungry, maybe suffers from low blood sugar? Ace gets grumpy too when he doesn't eat, it happens right? When 7pm rolled around I met the teacher at her apartment she had a studio she said on the bottom floor. She opened the door and? It was like a bad scene out of that Hoarders show. Complete and utter chaos. It looked like it should smell. If it smelled,(which it didn't) BUT if it did I wouldn't have taken the lesson. I recoiled. I don't like messy. Ask Ace I lose my mind when he leaves his shoes out. This could of sent me straight to the nervous hospital. The vapors were rising, I was getting light headed. I couldn't concentrate. Then I took a shallow breath and decided, maybe she's a great teacher? Maybe the best teacher ever? Maybe this will change my life and I will have beautiful handwriting, maybe...So much for optimism. She was the WORSE teacher EVER, she was all over the place, never really concentrating on the subject at hand but in la la land. I was crushed, just crushed. I was also disappointed because the only thing worse for me than wasting time is wasting money. Oh that kills me (especially since we don't have much right now). I was thinking of asking my crazy Mother Marie (which this teacher reminded me of in an odd way) to get me this DVD for Christmas. Anyone know about it or tried it? I know it's important to be able to watch to see how the letters are formed, that's why I was thinking a DVD might be the answer. Any advice for me? Teacher recommendation in Los Angeles? I would love to improve my handwriting as well so I am open to your suggestions. If your method works for me I pinky promise to send you a handwritten note...