Calligraphy
The more I study it, the more I realize that the ultimate beauty of calligraphy is that self-perfection in style and technique is impossible to attain. There will always be something more to strive for. It humbles me in a way that I don't mind, because it's just so beautiful and amazing to me -- it's like each character is floating in a world of extreme peacefulness and balance. Equilibrium, one might say. It creates a pure stillness in me.
Also...it has become exceedingly clear to me that people charge exorbitant rates for their work. Wow. People, unless it's really, really good and approved by some kind of experienced eye, don't pay more than
$10-20 for a single character
$20 for a personal stamp seal (try to aim for lower than this if you have any Chinese connections who can get it in China or Taiwan for cheap; otherwise...up to $35ish is fine, but still harumph)
Long texts can understandably be priced up to and over $100, but I wouldn't pay more than around $35 for a four-character set. It also depends on the quality and fanciness of the scroll or background material, though, so it would be ultimately up to you what you would want to pay.
I hope everyone is doing well, even if we don't keep in touch.
Also, I have found a very decent place for gyros near campus. Yessss.
Also...it has become exceedingly clear to me that people charge exorbitant rates for their work. Wow. People, unless it's really, really good and approved by some kind of experienced eye, don't pay more than
$10-20 for a single character
$20 for a personal stamp seal (try to aim for lower than this if you have any Chinese connections who can get it in China or Taiwan for cheap; otherwise...up to $35ish is fine, but still harumph)
Long texts can understandably be priced up to and over $100, but I wouldn't pay more than around $35 for a four-character set. It also depends on the quality and fanciness of the scroll or background material, though, so it would be ultimately up to you what you would want to pay.
I hope everyone is doing well, even if we don't keep in touch.
Also, I have found a very decent place for gyros near campus. Yessss.