Shalimar, written in the form of a bird. Original calligraphy design by Stewart J. Thomas
Oh Soul, you worry too much
Persian (Farsi) calligraphy by Stewart J. Thomas, selection from the poem of Jalaludin Rumi, known in English as “Oh Soul, you worry too much”
Salaam Aleikum – Peace be with you
Salaam Aleikum – Peace be with you. Original calligraphy design by Stewart J. Thomas.
Fear is never a good counselor
No matter how justified it may be, fear is never a good counselor.
Poetry from Mahmoud Darwish
3 lines of poetry from Mahmoud Darwish:
between two countries
never belonging in one
no longer belonging in the other
Calligraphy, ink and watercolour on mulberry paper by Stewart J. Thomas.
Name in the form of a Lady bug
Design of the name “Layli” – Lalibug – created by Stewart Thomas.
Library Entrance, Tehran
Library Entrance #Tehran #Iran (at Imam Khomeini Square / میدان امام خمینی)
National Library and Museum, Tehran
No Ruz Painting
Stewart says: Ink painting on mulberry paper done last night as a demo for my painting students and, of course, in celebration of No Ruz. Eid-e shoma mobarak!
Buddhist Prayer Rondel
This rondel features original calligraphy and translation into Persian (Farsi) by Stewart J. Thomas of the Buddhist prayer:
May I be free from fear. May I be free from suffering.
May I be happy. May I be filled with loving kindness.
The first phrase begins at the position of about 1 if this were a clock.
Mehr Design
Original calligraphy design by Stewart J. Thomas: the design is made up of repeating elements of the word “mehr” meaning love in Persian (Farsi).
Sa’adi Shirazi – Poet 13th Century
“The sons of Adam are limbs of each other, Having been created of one essence.When the calamity of time affects one limbThe other limbs cannot remain at rest.If you have no sympathy for the troubles of others,You are unworthy to be called Human.”
Sa’adi Shirazi – Poet 13th Century
I found this piece of my own calligraphy posted on another blog. So, I thought I best reblog it here on my own Tumblr. This is the famous poem of Sa’adi that is engraved on the walls of the United Nations in New York. More of my work can be seen at palmstone.com … Stewart J. Thomas, calligrapher
No Ruz Photo with Hand Painted Border
As we approach the celebration of No Ruz, the Iranian New Year which begins at the Vernal Equinox (usually March 21st in the Gregorian calendar), I am presenting a series of photos of the “Haft Sin” from previous years. This one is set within a hand painted border by Stewart J. Thomas with calligraphy reading “Eid Mobarak”
Calligraphy Piece with Khatamkar Frame
“The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy” written by calligrapher Stewart J. Thomas, in English around the border of each piece, and in half lines within each frame in Persian (Farsi). Background and edges are hand painted with gouache and metallic inks overlaid with a watercolour wash. The frames are khatamkar, an Iranian craft wherein bundles of different colours of wood and metal are sliced and painstakingly inlaid into intricate geometric patterns.
Sketch for border design scrollwork
Sketch for border design scrollwork incorporating stylized floral motifs. Original design by artist and calligrapher Stewart J. Thomas.
Paisley Designs “Boteh”
Another original design by Stewart J. Thomas. “I create these types of designs constantly, either in conjunction with calligraphy work–as borders or backgrounds–or as stand alone designs.” The embedded paisley designs, known as “boteh” in Persian, or “buta” in Kashmir, are a recurring motif in the arts of Iran and India.
“Boteh”
The pattern known in Persian as “boteh” or in Kashmir as “buta” is pervasive in Iranian designs since ancient times. From the 17th century the pattern became known in the west as the “Paisley” because of the connection between Kashmir designs that were then woven into wool shawls in Paisley, Scotland. Each year new designs were created in Kashmir, to this day a center of extremely complex weaving and embroidery skills. This pattern is by Stewart Thomas, who in addition to his calligraphy work creates several new “boteh” patterns every day.
Fire in Rain
Persian (Farsi) translation of “I am the fire that lives only in the rain.” Original Persian (Farsi) calligraphy by Stewart J. Thomas on marbled paper.
Calligraphic Rondel of Names
Calligraphic rondel by Stewart J. Thomas made up of the names Ariana and Illahi. Originally created as a tattoo design.
Calligraphy, Design and Illumination
The calligraphy in this example is obviously not Persian or Arabic, but the hand painted border design is in the Persian tradition so I’m including it here. The piece was commissioned for Ray Long’s Bandha Yoga series. The original was painted using a layer of metallic ink overlayed with transparent watercolor washes and opaque gouache. The calligraphy heading is in Devanagari script (Sanskrit) and the remaining calligraphy in a version of the Italic alphabet. All calligraphy, design and illumination by Stewart J. Thomas
Arabic and English Marriage Certificate
Arabic and English Marriage Certificate
This bilingual marriage certificate features Arabic and English calligraphy in side-by-side columns and a hand painted watercolour border inspired by Middle Eastern tile designs. Of note is the gold monogram created by intertwining the names of the newly wed couple. For more information on custom marriage certificates, visit palmstone.com
Interfaith Ketubah with Rumi Poetry
Interfaith Ketubah with Rumi Poetry
Detail of a marriage certificate featuring English, Persian (Farsi) and Hebrew calligraphy and a fine hand painted and illuminated border design. The Persian calligraphy features the poetry of Rumi. The Hebrew is the original text of “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine” from the Song of Solomon. For information on ordering marriage certificates visit palmstone.com.