The Illuminated Alphabet Project The goal of this project is to craft an entire alphabet of illuminated letters painted and gilded in a variety of historical styles and using a variety of gilding techniques and materials. No two will look alike. My goal is not to be perfectly historically accurate with each style but, rather, to evoke the style while adding a bit of my own spin. Every letter is accompanied by a corresponding blog post. The blog posts provide some historical information, a description of my process, and a series of photographs and/or videos illustrating the creation of each letter.

Medieval & Renaissance These pieces are all based on authentic Medieval and Renaissance styles of manuscript art. They are painted with gouache on paper and gilded with 23k or 24k gold leaf using a variety of gilding techniques, both modern and historical. LARGE PIECES These are either made on commission or for an art show. They are complex and time-consuming to plan, design, and then execute. Each one is entirely unique and commissioned pieces are made in close consultation with the client. The Tempest Chekov Quote Baby Gift Excerpt from The Tempest Illuminated Shakespeare quote in the style of the Bible of Borso d'Este, a masterpiece of Italian Renaissance illuminated manuscript art. Excerpt from The Tempest Illuminated manuscript art on paper with gouache, sumi ink, and 24k gold gilding. Excerpt from The Tempest Framed, the illuminated manuscript art measures 21" by 23." Excerpt from The Tempest Illuminated Shakespeare quote in the style of the Bible of Borso d'Este, a masterpiece of Italian Renaissance illuminated manuscript art. 1/5 Chekov Quote Illuminated quote is done in the Romanesque style. Romanesque art flourished in Medieval Europe during the 11th and 12th Centuries. Chekov Quote This illuminated manuscript art is made with gouache and 24k gold leaf on paper. The gilding is done with a combination of modern Ormoline size and traditional gum arabic. Chekov Quote Framed, this piece measures 19" by 11". Chekov Quote Illuminated quote is done in the Romanesque style. Romanesque art flourished in Medieval Europe during the 11th and 12th Centuries. 1/3 Baby Gift This baby gift was designed in the International Gothic style. The style dates from the late 14th C to the early 15th C. Baby Gift Piece is 12 x 18 inches. Gouache and 24k gold leaf on watercolor paper. Illumination is done with a modern gilding technique. Baby Gift Motifs were drawn from an illuminated manuscript currently in the collection of the Getty Museum. Baby Gift This baby gift was designed in the International Gothic style. The style dates from the late 14th C to the early 15th C. 1/4 Commission Church Commission Poem Ornate Double Illuminated Letters This example of illuminated manuscript art was made for a customer who wanted her initials to use in branding for a Medieval-inspired business. Ornate Double Illuminated Letters Gouache and 24k gold leaf. Gilding is done in a combination of two modern gilding techniques. The finished artwork measures 12 x 18 inches. Ornate Double Illuminated Letters The client was undecided about style, but decided on this one expressly because the original illuminated manuscript had been made by women. Ornate Double Illuminated Letters This example of illuminated manuscript art was made for a customer who wanted her initials to use in branding for a Medieval-inspired business. 1/4 Church Recognition Made to recognize the contributions of a retiring vestry member from Saint Thomas Church in NYC. Church Recognition Art work is 22 x 30 inches on watercolor paper. Gouache and 24k gold leaf gilding with traditional raised gesso illuminated letters. Other details down in 24k gold paint. Church Recognition At the request of the client, the Church's heraldic crest was added at the bottom. Church Recognition Made to recognize the contributions of a retiring vestry member from Saint Thomas Church in NYC. 1/5 Illuminated Poem This illuminated poem is done as a visual pun. I started with the poem, from the Harlem Renaissance, and decided to pair it with a decorative border from the Italian Renaissance. Illuminated Poem Gouache and 23k gold leaf on watercolor paper. Gilding is done with a modern gilding technique. Calligraphy is done with walnut ink in the Foundational hand. Illuminated Poem Bianchi Girari, or White Vine illumination, is a style used very commonly during the Italian Renaissance. It was often accompanied by Humanist lettering. Foundational is a modern hand inspired by Humanist. Illuminated Poem This illuminated poem is done as a visual pun. I started with the poem, from the Harlem Renaissance, and decided to pair it with a decorative border from the Italian Renaissance. 1/3 Small PIECES Individual and double letters like these are easily ordered through my ETSY shop, or directly from me. Triple letters and monograms can be custom ordered as well. Florentine Illuminated Letters Gothic Beast Illuminated Letters Various Styles Illuminated Letters Florentine R Illuminated letter R in a Florentine style Special Commission Monogram Illuminated Letters Florentine style illumination. Decorative elements like these were made by Florentine manuscript artists during the mid- and late-15th centuries. Illuminated Letter W Illuminated letter done in the Florentine style of Renaissance manuscript illumination Florentine R Illuminated letter R in a Florentine style 1/9 Double Illuminated Gothic Letters The Gothic style of illuminated manuscripts predominated between 1200-1350. Mine are all executed using dragon-like creatures that can be found in some of these historical letters. Gothic Letter K Illuminated letter K in a Gothic style Gothic Illuminated Letter H The Gothic style of illuminated manuscripts predominated between 1200-1350. Mine are all executed using dragon-like creatures that can be found in some of these historical letters. Double Illuminated Gothic Letters The Gothic style of illuminated manuscripts predominated between 1200-1350. Mine are all executed using dragon-like creatures that can be found in some of these historical letters. 1/11 Filigree Letter S Medieval illuminated letter S in a filigree style. Filigree Letter S Medieval illuminated letter S in a filigree style. Filigree Illuminated Letter D Filigree or Fleuronnée letters can be found in illuminated manuscripts across many centuries. Later examples are more elaborate, like this one. Filigree Letter S Medieval illuminated letter S in a filigree style. 1/11

How do I commission something? It's simple (really, I swear!). The first thing you will need to do is decide what you want your piece to say. It's hard for me to give you guidance and a price quote without knowing how long your text is. If you're composing something yourself, I'll happily lend a hand. In my experience, an extra pair of eyes is always a good thing. After that, you and I would consult on styles and materials. Once we've established that, I would give you a price quote and an estimated delivery date. Keep in mind that calligraphy and illumination is labor and time intensive so make sure you're commissioning well ahead of time, especially if it's something complex. Reach out to me through e-mail here: divinaverbacalligraphy@gmail.com Some other fun stuff

Event Calligraphy Place-cards, menus, envelopes, invitations, etc. Whatever you need for a special event in whatever hand fits your fancy! Traditional To my eye, these traditional pieces look more 19th Century, both because I've used hand variations that keep within that aesthetic and because of the decorative elements. Envelopes Place-cards, etc DSC_7609 DSC_7561 DSC_7578 DSC_7609 1/3 DSC_7703-2 DSC_7782 DSC_7590 DSC_7703-2 1/4 Contemporary To my eyes, these pieces have a more modern feel. The hands are either 20th Century inventions or variations on older ones. Poem DSC_4238 DSC_4943 DSC_4238 1/2

About Me One day, I'll take a picture of myself at work at my drafting table. For now, this one of me birding in Norway will have to do. A Sorta Bio I fell in love with the Middle Ages during the 6th grade thanks to my teacher, Heather. She taught a unit on Medieval Europe and took us to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to see the Arms & Armor hall and to the Cloisters, which is as close as you can get to a real castle in NYC. ​ I was already in love with art by then, but for reasons I won't go into, I didn't go to art school and, instead, got a handful of degrees in other things. Nevertheless, I continued to dabble on the side until the COVID pandemic put the world on hold. Suddenly, I had loads of time to fill. A few years later and here I am. Some Random Things About Me I foster cats. There's always at least one little furry beast in residence. I'm currently trying to get better at painting watercolor birds, just for fun. I also read history books for fun. I run in my local park most days and enjoy a good video game when I want to relax. I lived abroad for many years and speak fluent Spanish. I'm a life-long Yankees fan and one of those rare beings, an American soccer fan. I have lived in Brooklyn, New York since long before it became cool. I have exhibited my work at the Undercroft Gallery, in the Church of the Heavenly Rest, NYC. Current Cats in Residence This is Retina (left) and Sclera (right). And, yes, those are awful names, which I do not use. Retina was born with only one eye and Sclera was born with none. But, don't worry, these young sisters navigate the world just fine! If you're interested in adopting them, click HERE ! Past Cats in Residence I do all of my fostering through the Brooklyn Cat Cafe, the only non-profit cat cafe in NYC. Want to donate to them? Click here!

Medieval & Renaissance Styles 1/1 1/1 Traditional & Contemporary Styles At Divina Verba, the calligrapher and illuminator Laura R Waterbury takes pride in her unique, handcrafted art pieces. Each work is meticulously made with care and a keen attention to detail, using both modern and centuries-old techniques. She specializes in art that either evokes the unparalleled beauty of medieval and renaissance illuminated manuscripts or speaks to a more contemporary sensibility, crafting pieces that you won't find anywhere else . Whether you're looking for something for your home or office, or a personalized gift for a special occasion, Laura is here to create something utterly unique for you.

Pricing Ahh, the dreaded pricing! Every artist will tell you that pricing gives them headaches. It does for me, anyway. There are so many considerations. For example: size, complexity, materials, deadlines, how much designing I need to do, etc. But here's the rule-of-thumb to keep in mind: the more elaborate, the more expensive. The more designing and re-designing I need to do, the more expensive. Also, obviously, the more gold.... If you're interested in commissioning a piece, just reach out. Examples What's My Price What's My Price What's My Price What's My Price

traditional & Contemporary These pieces are designed to look more "modern." Although some of the hands (fonts) I've used are actually centuries old, they are common today and familiar to a contemporary audience. Decorative elements are less "medieval-ly." Traditional To my eye, these traditional pieces look more 19th Century, both because I've used hand variations that keep within that aesthetic and because of the decorative elements. Book Excerpt Birthday Gift Quote Book Excerpt in Copperplate Calligraphy Commissioned as a gift for a man who loved the books of Horatio Hornblower. Book Excerpt in Copperplate Calligraphy The classic, simple Copperplate script was done in iron gall ink. Writing is approximately 6mm high. Book Excerpt in Copperplate Calligraphy Ship illustration was done in a sumi ink wash. Arches Text Wove paper custom cut to 18 by 18 inches. Book Excerpt in Copperplate Calligraphy Commissioned as a gift for a man who loved the books of Horatio Hornblower. 1/3 Birthday Gift with Iris A very simple text in a classic Italic hand. The calligraphy was done in black gouache. Birthday Gift with Iris Iris was painted in gouache. Birthday Gift with Iris Off-white Canson Mis-Tientes paper custom cut to 20 by 18 inches. Birthday Gift with Iris A very simple text in a classic Italic hand. The calligraphy was done in black gouache. 1/3 Commemorative Quote in Italic This commemorative quote was done in a classic Italic hand. Commemorative Quote in Italic Some calligraphic flourishes added to the descenders and ascenders. Commemorative Quote in Italic Arches Text Wove paper custom cut to 19 x 10 inches. Commemorative Quote in Italic This commemorative quote was done in a classic Italic hand. 1/3 Various Custom Thank You Cards Client wanted three, individualized 'thank you' cards, each with a different text and hand. Custom Thank You Cards Calligraphy done in Italic, Uncial, and a modern Foundational. Title IX in Italic Calligraphy Classic Italic calligraphy on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the passing of Title IX. Custom Thank You Cards Client wanted three, individualized 'thank you' cards, each with a different text and hand. 1/11 Contemporary To my eyes, these pieces have a more modern feel. The hands are either 20th Century inventions or variations on older ones. Funny Poem Poem Wedding Gift Funny Poem in Minuskillian Non-traditional lay-out for a non-traditional poem. Funny Poem in Minuskillian Text of the poem done in a Minuskillian hand and white gouache. Funny Poem in Minuskillian Title done in Killian Capitals. Title and accents gilded with 23k gold leaf. Funny Poem in Minuskillian Non-traditional lay-out for a non-traditional poem. 1/3 Lucille Clifton Poem Lucille Clifton poem was done in a modernized version of Italic and hand embossed with a plant and moon. Lucille Clifton Poem Modern Italic calligraphy variation is designed with a more 'pointed' look. Black gouache. Lucille Clifton Poem Paper was hand embossed with decorative elements evocative of the poem's text. Lucille Clifton Poem Lucille Clifton poem was done in a modernized version of Italic and hand embossed with a plant and moon. 1/3 Wedding Gift Wedding Gift Wedding Gift Wedding Gift 1/3 Poem Bat Mitzvah Gift Various Langston Hughes Poem in Drawn Capitals Langston Hughes Poem in Drawn Capitals Langston Hughes Poem in Drawn Capitals Langston Hughes Poem in Drawn Capitals 1/4 Gilded and Painted Bat Mitzvah Gift Gilded and Painted Bat Mitzvah Gift Gilded and Painted Bat Mitzvah Gift Gilded and Painted Bat Mitzvah Gift 1/3 Gilded Gingko Leaves Gingko leaves and moon gilded with two kinds of gold and a variety of gilding techniques Woven Calligraphy Strips of repeated text in the Capitalis Quadrata calligraphy hand woven together Haiku in Modern Italics Gilded Gingko Leaves Gingko leaves and moon gilded with two kinds of gold and a variety of gilding techniques 1/9

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