甲骨文字 — 金 — jīn — metal. Before the Chinese characters were standardized, there were many variant forms of the characters, especially on the “oracle bones” where they were carved into tortoise shells and bones. Sometimes the variants are simply the result of the non-standardization, but once in a while it is clear that a was using the art to make a point. Here is a variant of the character for metal. I was very excited when I first stumbled across this character because I could see immediately that this is a diagram of the lungs within the chest cavity, the calligrapher making the visual connection that is part of medical theory of the metal element with the lungs. The standard modern character is in the top right hand corner. Calligraphy by S. J. Thomas www.palmstone.comRead More
Taking a moment to hold out the aspiration for Peace on Earth for All. Happy Holidays.Read More
Tattoo design in Devanagari script: समाधान — samaadhaana. Although there are many meanings of this word in both Sanskrit and Hindi, in this case samaadhaana references the state of profound absorption or contemplation. Sanskrit calligraphy by S. J. Thomas, www.palmstone.comRead More
Wedding certificate (detail) showing medallion with Monogram of bride and grooms names combined into one design in Arabic calligraphy. Watercolor, ink and metallic gold. Calligraphy and design by S. J. Thomas.Read More
“I don’t know where I end and you begin” after Rumi. Translated into Tibetan. The calligraphy is in a variant Tibetan script with the first line reading from top to bottom on the left and the second line reading from bottom to top on the right.Read More
AHAVA — אהבה — Love: gold leaf Hebrew calligraphy on hand painted ketubah featuring birds and flowers, created by S. J. Thomas.Read More
In the studio again, tools of the trade. This is an actual shot of the area to the left of my workspace, which is a large tempered glass light table. I keep my inks to the left, except those I’m currently using. Most of my brushes are in a roll up brush holder tucked under the glass. To the right are my pens and nibs and other assorted items. In this photo are various types of dip calligraphy pens, both broad nib and pointed pen styles; quill pens; sign painting brushes; Chinese brush painting and calligraphy brushes; the traditional reed qalam ney and some cut from bamboo; bone folder, scissors, agate burnisher, bookbinding knife, and no doubt a few more tools.Read More
Azza — عزة — a beautiful girl’s name in Arabic meaning a young gazelle. Your name in Arabic, contact Stewart Thomas at palmstone@gmail.com. www.palmstone.comRead More
Sthira Sukha स्थिर सूख the two qualities Patanjali explains in the Yoga Sutras that need to be present when doing any yoga: steadiness and ease. Sanskrit calligraphic rondel in Devanagari script by Stewart J. Thomas.Read More
Shen 神 — Calligraphy of Chinese character for spirit, consciousness, awareness; also meaning deity; the meeting place of heaven and earth.Read More
