Synergy is defined as the combined power of two, coming together to create something greater than the parts. Keith and Renate Worthington embody that expression, not only in their marriage and life together, but also in their art. Poetry and calligraphy – a match made in heaven.
Keith was born and raised in Calgary and Renate grew up north of Grand Prairie. They met when both were teaching Language Arts at a Calgary Junior High School, soon were married, and now have two grown daughters. Keith is the author of three poetry books: Puffs of Breath (2007), Poet on a Cargo Plane (2010) and After the Flood: Hockey Poems (2013). Nature is an important source of inspiration for his poems, as are memories of growing up and his insightful reflections on life’s lessons. Keith’s latest book is a celebration of his life-long passion for hockey.
“I’ve always enjoyed writing,” says Keith, “but I really started getting into poetry as I encouraged my students to write. Teachers/writers Ralph Fletcher and Nancy Atwell, who believed in treating kids like writers, inspired me. They wanted students to live with ‘eyes wide open’. That has become an important idea for me as well.”
Calligraphy has been an integral part of Renate’s life since 1980. She is very involved with the Bow Valley Calligraphy Guild, and is a well-known calligraphy teacher, putting on countless workshops through the years for local organizations including St. Mary’s University, where she recently taught a Foundations of Calligraphy course in their Sacred Arts Program. She also creates commissioned works. Her calligraphy is displayed in many private collections, schools and other public institutions. Last year Renate restored a large, faded commemorative scroll from WWI for St. Paul’s Cathedral in Kamloops, B.C. – a huge project that she calls “an amazing experience”.
In their collaborative efforts, one sees a special joy from these two creative spirits. Keith’s poetry provides Renate with opportunities to create new artwork suggested by his words. The results can be seen throughout his three books of poetry, and also displayed in art shows and in various collections.
“I’m intensely proud of the books that we’ve done together,” says Renate. “It’s been a great experience to contribute to something together and then see it through – even sharing the frustrations of the proofreading and printing process.”
They both appreciate the power and significance of words. Renate’s enthusiasm as a calligrapher is evident as she talks about capturing and expressing the layers of meaning in words, and how various alphabet styles have different “personalities”.
As a writer, Keith adds his own perspective.
“The more poetry you write,” says Keith, “the more you come to appreciate how word choice has such an effect on the way something will be interpreted. And the structure of the words in a poem is important, as well as the white space – the places where there aren’t words.”
Keith relates how Renate has become very skilled at identifying key words that are important to the theme of a poem, and using calligraphy techniques to highlight them or create a special emphasis.
“Words are the tools of the trade for a poet,” says Keith, “and Renate’s creativity adds a new dimension. We have some great discussions about my poems, which is exactly what you want to happen.”
Check out their website for more examples of Renate’s calligraphy, Keith’s poetry, and information related to their books at www.languageartstudio.ca
At the Family Home, After the Funeral
By Keith Worthington
Memories are piled so high
I can’t get out the door:
letters, books, and photographs
in heaps upon the floor.
I know if I stop among them,
they’ll swallow me whole again:
the world outside this silent house
smaller than the world within.
From Poet on a Cargo Plane
Dangerous Poems
By Keith Worthington
I like dangerous poems.
When you get too close,
they burn you
or cause your heart to miss a beat.
I like poems that take you to the edge,
throw you over, and then save you,
just before you hit rock bottom.
I like poems that put into words
crimes you know you have committed,
but won’t confess to.
I like dangerous poems.
From Puffs of Breath
