Being able to create art for friends is one of the best feelings in the world. I desire so deeply to capture the friendship, comradery, laughter, and respect that I have with those that I know, because this is a way that I can say “thank you” without tripping over my words or being completely awkward (as I most often am). When I was approached to create the calligraphy for my friend Devillin’s Master of Defense scroll, I could not have been more excited, because I had been wanting to show my appreciation to this human for quite some time.

The illuminator (Mistress Camille desJardins) and I talked about creating a Mira calligraphiae style scroll because it would allow us to add alllll of the things that makes Devillin, well, Devillin! For instance, we *needed* a fox and thistles, there was just no doubt in that!

My job was “simple”… flip through the Mira Calligraphiae Monumenta and choose a calligraphy style to recreate… which I have to say is not actually simple. This manuscript is one of my favorites, for the very same reason that it was difficult to complete this task – every single page in that manuscript is completely different; each page has calligraphy completely unique to that page.

Eventually I chose fol 15. I loved the way the calligraphy moved on the page; how the shape the words created was just as much art as the words that were written. I thought this was a perfect description for someone who lives, and speaks courtesy, honesty, and truth.

Once the calligraphy was laid it was shipped off to Mistress Camille for the illumination. And oh, what a breathtaking job indeed! Together, the movement of the calligraphy and the illumination mirror Devillin in motion; a fencer and their bought. A deadly dance.

I also had the pleasure of creating these patches for Devillin’s MoD gauntlets. A depiction of the MoD badge surrounded by thistles completed on linen with cotton DMC (stem, chain, and satin stitches).

To my dear friend – vivat!