Calligrams are calligraphy designs that form a particular shape. Calligrams are very popular in the tradition of Arabic, Persian (Farsi) and Urdu calligraphy. Calligrams in the shape of lions, tigers, birds, fish and other animals are “zoomorphic.” Other popular choices … Read More
Monograms combine two or more names into one design. Monograms are used in association with weddings and marriage certificates; as family crests; on letterhead, websites or business cards; or as logo designs.
As part of my design process I provide … Read More
YOUR NAME IN PERSIAN / FARSI / ARABIC CALLIGRAPHY: I will provide you seven different designs or design variations of your name in Persian or Arabic calligraphy. I can provide traditional calligraphy styles or creative design options. I do all … Read More
Nasta’liq is a style of writing the Arabic script, particularly the adapted version of the script sometimes called Perso-Arabic which is used to write Persian, Urdu, and formerly, Turkish. Developed in the 14th and 15th centuries during the … Read More
Detail of Nikah—Islamic Marriage Certificate—with English, Urdu and Arabic calligraphy and watercolor border by S. J. Thomas.Read More
There comes that moment when you’ve done the prudent planning, and yet still, enter that place Rumi says “from now on I’ll be mad.” Mad not as in angry, but as in irrational. We have water, candles, flashlights, food. Took down the precarious tree, put up sandbags . . . in Florida, awaiting Hurricane Irma.Read More
Rumi’s poem:
ز اول که حدیث عاشقی بشنودم
جان و دل و دیده در رهش فرسودم
گفتم که مگر عاشق و معشوق دواند
خود هر دو یکی بود من احول بودم
Coleman Barks translation:
The minute I heard my first love story,
I started looking for you, not knowing how blind that was.
Lovers don’t finally meet somewhere.
They’re in each other all along.
My translation:
When I first heard [the] story of love
I wore out soul and heart and sight on its path.
I said: are lover and beloved two?
[The] self two were one; I was seeing doubleRead More
Alchemy of Love کيمياگری عشق Persian/Farsi in modified Arabic Kufic script.Read More
Original border design hand painted and illuminated by calligrapher Stewart J. Thomas for an interfaith Quaker-Muslim marriage. The blank spaces are for the signatures of all present at the ceremony.Read More
Good thoughts, good words, good deeds; the three pillars of Zoroastrian faith.
پندار نیک، گفتار نیک، کردار نیک (pendâr-e nik, goftâr-e nik, kerdâr-e nik)Read More
