Speaking to the Eyes: Words as Image

CLASS DESCRIPTION

May 3-8, 2026

“Whence did the wond'rous mystic art arise,
Of painting speech, and speaking to the eyes?
That we by tracing magic lines are taught
How to embody, and to colour thought?”
      ― William Massey The Origin and Progress of Letters, 1763.

This 18th Century passage, conjures an array of letter-based visions - legible and abstract. The possibilities of rendering verbal content in line, form and color is underused and possess powerful potential. In this class, you will use letterforms as the vehicle for a journey into spirited expression, using the meaning of a word or phrase of your choice as your guide and inspiration.

Through a series of exercises and explorations, you will discover methods and techniques, based on your handwriting or calligraphic writing, to create expressive new work. Each person’s writing is a  kind of “cardiogram” - unique to each of us at a given moment. This is an opportunity to crack open the potential power of pure experimentation, with your class-mates, as each artist creates distinct work.

This way of working opens each artist to broad interpretations. There is no right or wrong - just “make”, and see where it will take you.

In this course you will: Experiment with various writing and mark-making tools and explore the hand written words becoming imagery for an array of creative work and make a simply-constructed book.

This class is part of he “Words as Image” Series, originally designed by Suzanne for online teaching. Created to focus on visual artists (printmakers, painters, sculptors, designers and creatives of all stripes) who are interested in the possibilities of letters and words in image-making. We use words and letters as  a springboard for image-making, and it is not limited to calligraphers. The possibilities for use in books as visual content, prints, drawings and covers, as well as 2D and 3D work, are endless.

Join us for this week, in the extraordinary setting that is Cheerio.

A pre-class assignment will be sent to students about a month before the workshop.

Materials fee (up to $45., to cover all materials needed for class work, mixed-media experimentation, pages, and book-making, including bedsheets and cover papers.)

CLICK the button below to download the registration form to register for Suzanne Moore's, Speaking to the Eyes: Words as Image!