Riva Brown
Calligrapher and Watercolor Artist
Living Letters Studio, Inc.
Wilmington, DE 19805
302-656-2777
riva@livingletters.biz www.livingletters.biz
ARTISTS’ STATEMENT: Prepare, then risk. Whether the project at hand is a Calligraphic Document, a Watercolor Painting or a combination of the two, the dynamic stroke is the holy grail of my work. Bravery in handling the pen and brush yields power. Much preliminary work goes into laying down the master stroke. I practice until the stroke is ready and then execute confidently and fearlessly. Hopefully, the proverbial “Stroke of Genius” is achieved. While a subject may be quiet, this is not the same as uncertainty and even calm pieces must be executed bravely.
EARLY HISTORY: Like many artists, Riva Brown began to apply herself seriously to her art at the age of 3. Her parents recognized the potential and made sure that Riva had plenty of paper and crayons, paint by numbers, sketch books etc. Critically, it was always OK to use as much as she wanted. Throughout public school (Lore, Shortlidge, Harlan, P.S. DuPont) Riva continued to draw and paint, a lot. At the University of Delaware, Riva graduated with a degree in Art with a minor in Art History.
SPEAKER: Presentations on Watercolor, Calligraphy and the history of Calligraphy in such places as Towson University, Blue Ridge Community College, the Biggs Museum, The Delaware Art Museum, The Center for Creative Arts, Diamond State Branch National League of American Pen Women, Inc.
WORK HISTORY Since 1976, Riva has been a professional Calligrapher, specializing in high-end documents such as Retirement Scrolls, Board of Directors Resolutions and Marriage Certificates.
SHOW HISTORY She is a founding Mother and past President of the Delaware Calligraphy Guild, a member of the Delaware Foundation for the Visual Arts where she served on the Board for many years. She is an award-winning Watercolor painter showing in the Delaware Watercolor Society with Signature Status. Also, she has exhibited with the Philadelphia Watercolor Society, Evening of Art, Immaculata College, the Rittenhouse FineArts Festival, Ronald McDonald House, the Brandywine Festival of the Arts, and Hagley Art and Antiques.
EARLY HISTORY: Like many artists, Riva Brown began to apply herself seriously to her art at the age of 3. Her parents recognized the potential and made sure that Riva had plenty of paper and crayons, paint by numbers, sketch books etc. Critically, it was always OK to use as much as she wanted. Throughout public school (Lore, Shortlidge, Harlan, P.S. DuPont) Riva continued to draw and paint, a lot. At the University of Delaware, Riva graduated with a degree in Art with a minor in Art History.
SPEAKER: Presentations on Watercolor, Calligraphy and the history of Calligraphy in such places as Towson University, Blue Ridge Community College, the Biggs Museum, The Delaware Art Museum, The Center for Creative Arts, Diamond State Branch National League of American Pen Women, Inc.
WORK HISTORY Since 1976, Riva has been a professional Calligrapher, specializing in high-end documents such as Retirement Scrolls, Board of Directors Resolutions and Marriage Certificates.
SHOW HISTORY She is a founding Mother and past President of the Delaware Calligraphy Guild, a member of the Delaware Foundation for the Visual Arts where she served on the Board for many years. She is an award-winning Watercolor painter showing in the Delaware Watercolor Society with Signature Status. Also, she has exhibited with the Philadelphia Watercolor Society, Evening of Art, Immaculata College, the Rittenhouse FineArts Festival, Ronald McDonald House, the Brandywine Festival of the Arts, and Hagley Art and Antiques.