The Artful Letter Exhibit: A Celebration of Analog Creativity

The Artists Hand
Oct 19, 2025
3 min read

Updated: Dec 15, 2025

hand holding ink pen — Artwork by Lam Gray

I'm not one to forego the conveniences of our digital world. But like gardening, there are reasons and seasons for patiently experiencing life. Today, I’m writing this newsy letter on my laptop. Soon, I’ll head out to the garden to thin lettuce plants, cover the peppers for the coming frost, and gather squash for storage.

Gathering the fruits of seeds planted and nurtured reminds me that the art we cherish emerges from the patient experience of artists. They turn their learned practices with paint and pottery into artworks that feed our souls.

amish buggy and horse — Artwork by Cora Smith

The Beauty of Analog Art

The image above intrigues me, and I hope it does you too. Analogue. "A thing which has characteristics in common with another." This is not far from the meaning of analogy, a bedrock principle of philosophical inquiry. (See Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.)

Last Friday, those who gathered at The Artists Hand for our reception honoring the artists of The Artful Letter Exhibit were treated to nearly 50 pieces of artful lettering. All of them created using an "analogue" method. This means not digital.

Think of an "old-fashioned" clock. It’s a system of gears that imitates and expresses the passage of time. Similarly, the pens and brushes used to create these works express a likeness to the letters and images on the page. Calligraphers describe their practice as developing "the hand." It’s not just about writing letters; it’s about drawing them. Over time, they learn to express ideas through choices of form (the font), media (ink? gouache? watercolor?), and surface (various papers).

The Connection Between Art and Nature

Here’s a fun thought experiment. Is the world you live in filled with seemingly endless possibilities and infinite expressions? Or is it made up of discrete, finite states of being? On-off. Black-white. Ones and zeroes.

Digital data has brought us many marvelous marvels. But for today, I’m content to gather my tools and head out to the garden to weed, seed, and harvest. It’s all about how we care for our soil, our spaces, and each other. When I stop by The Artists Hand Gallery and see the original artwork of local artists, my soul feels and reflects in ways no machine can replicate.

Why Analog Art Matters

It’s special to have artwork that is human-made. Each piece tells a story. It captures a moment in time, a feeling, or an idea. When you look at these artworks, you connect with the artist’s journey. You see their struggles, their triumphs, and their creativity.

In a world dominated by digital screens, analog art offers a refreshing contrast. It invites us to slow down. To appreciate the craft and the care that goes into each piece. It’s a reminder of the beauty of imperfection. Each stroke, each line, is a testament to the artist's hand.

Join Us at The Artists Hand

So, why not stop by and feed your soul? Experience the warmth of our community hub where art, coffee, and local talent come together. We aim to inspire creativity while offering a welcoming space for everyone to connect and enjoy.

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