— خطاط و خوشنويس — س. جون طوماس —
I have been in love with pen and ink for most of my life. My first calligraphic teaching was in the Arabic script, writing out lines of Persian poetry in elementary school. Our teacher would walk around the class and cut a nib on each student’s reed pen and write out a line of poetry at the top of a notebook page. We would lean over our pages, copying the line of poetry over and over again. My, what a mess of indelible blots we made with those reed pens dipped in bottles of ink!
I still use dip pens, both reeds and metal pens with reservoirs. I also love using Chinese brushes, thin strips of flexible wood veneer, or even my fingers!
New Website Now Open
World Callligraphy website now open!
I am please to announce my new website, WorldCalligraphy.com, featuring my world calligraphy and fine art products. You will find greeting cards, wall art with mat and frame options, and limited edition artworks, with more offerings to be posted.
Calligraphy Specialties
I specialize in world calligraphy including most of the major scripts in use in the world today as well as many historical scripts, styles and variants. If you have a project in mind, please let me know. I look forward to hearing from you.
As a calligrapher I bring together skills as an artist, an artisan, a graphic designer and a linguist. I work closely with specialists in different languages to make sure that the work I provide is accurate. I work closely with each client to make sure that you are completely satisfied with the designs that I provide.
My work includes calligraphy in the Latin script in any language and in almost all calligraphic styles; Arabic script as used in Arabic, Persian (Farsi), Urdu, Dari, Balti and other languages; Devanagari script as used for Sanskrit, Hindi and many other Indian languages; and Chinese calligraphy in several styles.
I also do calligraphy work in Amharic (from Ethiopia), Aramaic (Syriac), Greek, Hebrew and host of scripts from South and Southeast Asia, including Kannada, Malayalam, Punjabi, Sinhala, Telugu, Thai, Tibetan, etc.
Illustration and Illumination
Many of my larger calligraphy works include elaborate border designs, illumination and watercolour illustration. I create original border designs in the tradition of manuscripts and miniature paintings from the Middle East, Europe and India.
Areas of Expertise
Calligraphy, Design for Print and Web, Development of Marketing Materials, SEO (Search Engine Optimization), Fine Art Stone Lithography Printing, Watercolour Painting, Illustration and Illumination, Persian Miniature Style Border Design and Painting Styles (Middle Eastern, Iranian, Mughal and Indian style borders and painting), Logo Design, Bookbinding: non-adhesive book structures, pop-up books, Papermaking, Printmaking techniques: lithography, chine collé, monoprinting
Classes
I reside in Gainesville, Florida, where I teach periodic classes in Chinese painting and calligraphy, and offer private tutoring in pen, nib and reed calligraphic methods. I offer occasional workshops in Arabic and Persian Calligraphy, Bookbinding Methods, Printmaking Techniques and special topics in Calligraphy. See the CLASSES page for current offerings.
Click on the Artist Vitae tab above for more detailed information.
S. JOON THOMAS Skills: International Experience: Current Positions: Artist: A lifelong commitment to seeing! Calligrapher: Over 35 years experience in Arabic (Farsi, Persian, Urdu), English (and other Latin-script-based alphabets), Devanagri (Sanskrit) & Chinese calligraphy; additional experience in Kannada, Greek, Hebrew, Amharic, and numerous other languages and scripts Lithographer: 25 years experience, including 16 as a professional edition printer; established my own lithography studio in 1994 Printmaker: Extensive experience in printmaking media: lithography; intaglio; screenprinting; Bookbinder: Specializing in non-adhesive bindings, book design, book structures Designer: 40 years experience in graphic design; skills include book design, PR materials, logos, Educator: over 4 decades of experience, including teaching 1st and 2nd grade; dyslexia tutoring; ESOL; consultant in development of Ichetucknee Classroom education model (2007 – present); coordinator of innovative international education programs at University Museum, Univ. of Pennsylvania; college and university level printmaking and design; seminars and workshops for children, youth and adults; tutoring; mentoring; and apprenticeship opportunities Consultant: Creativity, Organizational Development, Public Relations Strategy Tours: Former coordinator of specialty trips to South India focusing on Art, Yoga, Health, Ecology PALMSTONE STUDIO Calligraphy, Illustration and Original Artworks: as an independent artist, I specialize in calligraphy, brush painting, watercolor, bookbinding and printmaking. Commissions are accepted for calligraphic work in Arabic, Devanagari, Chinese, Hebrew, Latin and many other contemporary and historic scripts. I undertake both commission work and works displayed through solo and group exhibitions. My calligraphic work and illustrations have appeared in books and magazines worldwide. Art Classes in brush painting, calligraphy and bookbinding. My calligraphy has been featured in numerous publications, including: Presenter: Macalaster College, Saint Paul, MN 2021 Artist in Residence Indian School of Art for Peace, Karnataka, India: Collaboration with Jyoti Sahi and other artists at center exploring art across boundaries of gender, caste, and religion 1996 Atheetha Vidyalaya, Tamil Nadu, India: Participant artist at center devoted to natural health; created art on site; provided instruction in bookbinding, calligraphy, watercolour and tai chi to children and adults 1992 EDUCATION BFA Philadelphia College of Art (University of the Arts): Printmaking 1987 APPRENTICESHIPS Lithography apprentice to Tamarind Master Printer, Chen Lok Lee, Philadelphia 1986-1991 EXHIBITION DESIGN Ichetucknee Alliance Travelling Display 2016 – present SOLO ART EXHIBITIONS Thomas & Thomas, Gainesville, FL 2020 GROUP ART EXHIBITIONS (selected) Art of Inquiry, Juried Exhibition, Harn Museum of Art, Gainesville, FL 2019 PAST POSITIONS Creative Director, Florida’s Eden, 2002 – 2012 Non-profit regional alliance working for a sustainable future for North Florida. Florida’s Eden works with a broad spectrum of businesses, organizations and agencies to institute model programs in the areas of the environment, economy and education, with the goal of preserving our natural resources and maintaining the authenticity of the region’s diverse cultural heritage. Programs include The Blue Path water awareness campaign, the Ichetucknee Classroom education model, Scenic Trails professional development, and the Florida’s Eden Source, online regional database. Assistant Professor, Drexel University Assistant Coordinator, International Classroom Gallery Assistant, Barnes Foundation Museum AWARDS New Forms Florida, NEA regional grant 1993-1994 BOARDS Treasurer, Sweetwater Print Cooperative, 2007 – 2009, 2019 – present WORKSHOPS, PRESENTATIONS, AND SEMINARS OFFERED ART TECHNIQUES Basic Printmaking Ten book structures for artists and educators: no glue, no stitching! How to make new and exciting book structures Oriental brush techniques Chine collé: the Oriental collage technique RESOURCES FOR CREATIVE PEOPLE Free and Effective Web Marketing for Creative Individuals and Small Businesses Strategies for keeping creativity alive
Calligrapher Artist Designer
Language Fluency: English, Persian (Farsi), Chinese (Mandarin)
Birthplace: St. Andrews, Scotland
Citizenship: USA / UK
Resided in: Iran, India, USA
Travel: Europe, Mid East, N. Africa, Asia, US, Mexico
Palmstone Studio, proprietor: Offering services in calligraphy, design for print and web, book design, PR strategy and consulting.
Academy for Five Element Acupuncture, faculty: courses offered in Calligraphy, Chinese History.and QiGong
Sweetwater Print Cooperative, member
Work includes extensive calligraphy, watercolour, unique artist books and printmaking; exploration of 3-D work in paper, bookbinding, sculpture and clay; site specific interactive installations; study of architecture and pattern, including collection of over 1000 South Indian kolam designs and study of Persian and Indian sacred space and gardens; and the adventure continues!
relief; batik; silver-based, non-silver and digital photography; letterpress printing; giclee and experimentation with cutting edge digital approaches
digital media, web design; teaching of design, book design, letterforms
established 1994
Public Relations Consultant and Design: organization or company identity, search engine optimization, web marketing, print design, logo design, print brokering offered primarily to the integrative health and arts and culture industries.
Fine Art Editions, 1994 – 2004: worked as Master Printer in Stone Lithography to produce limited edition prints in collaboration with noted Florida artists.
Learn World Calligraphy, by Margaret Shepherd, Perigee, 2010
Todo sobre la Caligrafîa, Paramon, Barcelona, 2009
Arabic Tattoos, Mark Batty Publisher, New York, 2008ARTIST IN RESIDENCE
Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL — Arabic Calligraphy — annually since 2017
Valencia College, Orlando, FL — Arabic and Hebrew Calligraphy — 2019, 2016
Tampa Bay/Hillsborough County Library System — Arabic Calligraphy — 2014
Harn Museum of Art, Gainesville, FL — presenter and training of docents in various subjects, 2012 to present, including Chinese calligraphy, Arabic calligraphy, lithography, book arts, Islamic arts
BA Haverford College: History, Chinese 1981
High School Diploma, Community School, Tehran, Iran 1977
Chinese painting and calligraphy study under Chen Lok Lee and Yao You-xin 1984-1990
Bookbinding study under Master Binders Don and Pam Rash 1981-1983
Ichetucknee Alliance Display in conjunction with Smithsonian WaterWays, High Springs Museum 2016
Travels on the Blue Path, traveling exhibition, originating in Gainesville 2012
The Blue Path, Florida Museum of Natural History (FMNH), Gainesville, 2010
Photography Exhibition, Hippodrome State Theatre, Gainesville, 2009
Portray, Prserve Prosper, Santa Fe College, Gainesville, 2008
Calligraphy Explorations, Drexel University, Nesbitt College of Design Arts Gallery, Philadelphia, 1990
Miaan Saraa, Gainesville, FL 2018
For Syria, Benefit Exhibition, Gainesville, FL 2016
Sweetwater Gallery, Gainesville, FL 2015, 2012, 2011
Sweetwater Print Cooperative, Unspoken Words, Gainesville 2010
Walking in the Garden, Cofrin Gallery, Oak Hall School, Gainesville 2005
Recent Photographs, Terranova, Gainesville 2004
What is Hidden, Who am I? installation, University of Florida and City Hall, Gainesville 1994
Atheetha Vidyalaya, Tamil Nadu, India (permanent collection) 1992
Solo Show, Vox Populi Gallery, Philadelphia, 1989
Senior Show, Philadelphia College of Art 1987
Calligraphies in Conversation, San Francisco Public Library, 2017
Calligraphies in Conversation, Berkeley, CA 2016
Sweetwater Print Cooperative, 1997, and annual group exhibits since 2003
Holiday Invitational, Melrose Bay Art Gallery, Melrose, FL 2016
20th Anniversary Show, Sweetwater Print Cooperative 2014
Art and Poetry: Mahmud Darwish, P21 Gallery Project, London 2015
Hippodrome Theatre Gallery, 2013
The Georgia Perimeter College Fine Arts Gallery, Clarkston Campus, Atlanta, 2012
Bamboo, Academy for Five Element Acupuncture 2009
Bamboo, Academy for Five Element Acupuncture, Gainesville, FL 2009
Art in City Hall, Gainesville, FL 2005
Still Life in G, Gainesville, FL 2004
Thomas Center, Gainesville, FL 2004
More Pressing Matters, J. Wayne Reitz Union, University of Florida, FL 2000
Art at the Airport, Gainesville, FL 2000
Traditional Values, Santa Fe Gallery, Gainesville, FL 1998
Survivors’ Art Exhibit, University of Florida, FL 1998
Collaborations, Kamin Gallery, Van Pelt Dietrich Library, University of Pennsylvania 1995
Hyperdrome, University of Florida, Gainesville 1994
Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore, India (permanent collection) 1991
Art at the Armory, Philadelphia, PA 1990
Vox Populi Gallery, Philadelphia 1990
Camden County Cultural Heritage Commission, NJ 1989
West Looks East, McCabe Library, Swarthmore College, PA 1989
Book Design: Practical & Provocative, AIGA/Painted Bride, Philadelphia 1988
The Print Club, Philadelphia 1987
University of the Arts Library (permanent collection) 1986
SUNY at Purchase, NY 1986
Prints, Prints, West Chester University, PA 1986
Paper Works, Wayne Art Center, PA 1986
Non-Silver at PCA, Philadelphia College of Art 1985
Book Arts in the Delaware Valley, Swarthmore College 1982
Nesbitt College of Design Arts, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 1987-1991
Instructed sophomore design majors in letterforms, calligraphy, layout, design, basic book design, introduction to typography. Curator of exhibition ‘Calligraphy Explorations’, Nesbitt College of Design Arts Gallery, 1990
University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 1982-1984
Planned and coordinated international education programming for school groups of all ages: selection, training and oversight of over 200 volunteers; grant writer; helped establish ‘World Ancient and Modern’ education program; coordinated College and University speakers bureau; managed volunteer honoraria and all program accounts payable
Merion, PA, 1981. Daily care of galleries in private museum of impressionist and African masterpieces; cataloging of library holdings
American Color Print Society 1987
T.J. Murphy Award for Achievements in Offset Lithography 1987
University of the Arts Library Purchase Award 1986
Board Member, Morning Meadow Preschool, 2002 – 2009
Founding Board Member, Vox Populi Artists Cooperative, Philadelphia 1988-1991
Board Member, Delaware Valley Bookworkers Association 1983-1984
Hands on introduction to the various ways to make a print: stencil, transfer, rubbing, etc. Use of simple materials and suitable for all ages. Culminates in how to make a flat print of a 3-D object, in this case the sunbleached shell of a turtle!
Hands on workshop on how to create ten books that require only paper, folding and cutting! These are ideal little packages for artistic content without getting trapped in technical bookbinding problems. Every teacher and artist should know how to make these!
Hands on exploration of the three dimensional qualities of books. We will explore multiple ways to fold, construct and stitch books together; become familiar with the sculptural qualities of book structures; pop-up book techniques; dare to create books you’ve never seen before!
Demonstration of the unique ways in which oriental painting utilizes the brush. Topics include: the interplay of water and ink; loading the brush with color; wet and dry effects; the paper as the seismograph of your feelings, and more!
Originally developed for the creation of scroll paintings, this collage technique has wonderful applications for contemporary art. Layer materials, include plants and objects, introduce translucent and opaque sections, and integrate drawing, painting and printmaking.
Don’t shell out hundreds or thousands of dollars for temporary or ineffective marketing strategies.
Seasoned webmaster shows you how you can bring traffic and sales to your web page.
Every creative person has experienced the fear of the creative dry spell. Why does creativity come in periods of intense inspiration? What do we do when it doesn’t? Here are some strategies for allowing creativity to maintain its natural rhythms while always remaining a vital part of life.
Asghar Baratpour was my first calligraphy teacher (in Persian (Farsi) calligraphy) and also the one who first gave me a love and understanding of the global flow of history. I first learned calligraphy in English, including italics, round hand and Gothic lettering, from Byron J. MacDonald’s wonderful little book, Calligraphy: The Art of Lettering with the Broad Pen. Later I found a limited edition copy of Herman Zapf’s engraved calligraphy plates. I took the liberty of obtaining good quality photocopies of the pages before letting the library in question know that the book should not really be available for general circulation. I studied history at Haverford College under Mira Mihelich. I am indebted to Eugene Liu and Victor H. Mair with whom I studied Chinese language at the University of Pennsylvania; Chen Lok Lee, my mentor in life and art; Yao You-xin, my Chinese calligraphy master; Weng Rulan and, most recently to Ou Wen-wei, QiGong Chinese calligraphy master. I worked with Tamarind Stone Lithography Master Printer Chen Lok Lee for seven years as a printmaking apprentice, in addition to learning Chinese brush painting, calligraphy and philosophy. From Don and Pam Rash, students of Fritz and Trudi Eberhardt, I learned bookbinding. My appreciation to Tai Ji Quan Master Maggie Newman for first starting me on that lifelong practice. I have continued my Tai Ji Quan learning under Paul Campbell and Vincent Chu. Sri Swami Sahajananda, namaste for your love, compassion and joy.
Calligrapher Artist Designer
