Around the Corner Art Gallery
447 East Main Street
Montrose, Colorado
81401
970-249-4243
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Hours: Monday to Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Artists Showing

Jolene Armstrong

In this computer age, it is refreshing to find an artist who still appreciates the sound of a pen scratching letters on fine handmade paper. Jolene is a Professional Calligrapher and Fine Art Book Binder. To quote Jolene, "I like to see the letters dance on paper, but not just any paper." She discovered early how difficult it was to find bound journals that would lay flat while writing or drawing. As an artist always looking for the best materials, Jolene started the study of bookbinding and now creates wonderful journals.

Jolene creates bound leather journals with hand-torn Arches paper pages. (Arches is a 600 year old paper company in France.) These journals are bound with hand-waxed linen thread. There are no adhesives used in the process. The end pages are various specialty papers and the books are decorated with unique findings—"Picked up here and there in my journeys." The books lay flat for easy writing. The text paper will accommodate mild water color effects. These journals are very durable.

Jolene believes strongly that we need to keep a record of our life. A journal should be used for thoughts, hopes, and dreams. She would hope that you will allow one of her journals to accompany your quest. Perhaps your journal will become messages for your family—a future gift for your children and grandchildren. Jolene blesses each journal as it is made—a gift of love from the artist to the recipient.

Jolene's Background and Credits

In the past, Jolene has worked with a variety of mediums beginning at an early age with crayon and on from there with oil, pastel, watercolor, colored pencil, and pen and ink. Whenever she wanted to explore a medium, she sought out teachers of exceptional caliber.

Jolene is co-founder of The Calligraphic Arts Guild of Central Iowa, member of the Colorado Calligrapher's Guild in Denver, and member of Alphabea's Calligraphy Guild, Langley, BC, Canada.

Jolene participated in the Graceful Envelope Contest for the U.S. Postal Service sponsored by the Smithsonian Institute. She won this competition two years in a row. Jolene's work in calligraphy is part of the Smithsonian Collection.

Jolene has a degree in Commercial Art and has worked on major magazine publications and corporate logo design. She has also taught classes in calligraphy. She is available for custom calligraphy.

A Look at Jolene's Work