Cutout/Illustrated Signs

Mystic Blue artists do not use clip art, though we are familiar with the techniques used by the great advertising artists of previous eras.

We like to create characters, which come to life in cut-out forms as hanging signs or sidewalk mascots. Grammy Gayle and Django the gypsy cat are drawn in the graphic style with bold flat areas of color.

The toucan from the Snoshak and the opera house alligator are graphics contained within a regular shape, while 'Make me up' is all Hollywood glamour.

We also do more realistic illustration styles like the 19th-century Romantic style portrait of Marie Laveau done for a French Quarter bar, and Tarzan wrestling the alligator, who is a photo opportunity made for a local museum.

Our artists have designed and painted illustrated menus for many restaurants--either realistic or whimsical-- and cut-out coffee cups are practically an icon in caffeine country.

February 2012 Center News

§ Happy Mardi Gras §

Classes

"Pen Lettering: Calligraphy and Handwriting" class begins March 1, 2012. Subjects covered are origins of calligraphy from foundational, black letter, italic, and copperplate, to formal and informal handwriting. Please call for details: (504)525-4691

School of Art & Crafts

New Orleans School of Art and Craft is offering a one-day calligraphy class February 10 taught by Eugenia Uhl. She will teach an extended class in March. For details call (504) 944-7900 or visit www.art-restoration.com

NOLAA

New Orleans Lettering Arts Association is a non-profit organization whose monthly meetings are mini-workshops in a variety of calligraphy techniques, well worth the $25 per year membership fee. Meetings are held on the 2nd Saturday of the month. Visit www.neworleanscalligraphy.org for more info.

New Work by Claire Hassig

We are proud to have a new exhibit of Claire's photographs in the gallery. The images present the abandoned structures of the former Six Flags Amusement Park, altered through her unique perspective. Gallery hours are Tuesday thru Friday from 10am-5pm and Saturday from 10am-3pm.

The Decorated Letter

Our show of ornamented letters will be held in March 2012. It will include a selection of initials and monograms in various media including painted, drawn, engraved, etched, printed, and gilded letters on glass, metal, paper, and wood.

Center Newsletter

To subscribe to our e-newsletter from the Center for the Lettering Arts, please email your contact info to mysticbluesigns@hotmail.com