Meet Your Artist!

Hello, I’m Karen, a Calligrapher and Engraver from Southern California who loves to write pretty words. I’m also proof that: Talent is a pursued interest. Anything that you’re willing to practice, you can do. ⏤ Bob Ross

How did you get started in calligraphy? (aka, the question I am most frequently asked) …

My love affair with lettering began as a child when my Mother, in an effort to keep her kids occupied over the long summer break, drove us to Michaels to choose an activity. I selected a calligraphy kit and, when we got home, anxiously ripped it open, sat at the kitchen table, and wrote the panagram, “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog”, for the first of now hundreds of times. Though I found it challenging, I also loved the reward of creating beautiful letters.

Fast forward to junior year of High School English where the midterm was an in-class essay. Receiving it back, I read the teachers’ bold note: “your handwriting is beautiful, but your writing needs lots of work.” Apologies to Mrs. Miller, but not much has changed.

Later, as a recent college graduate, I was faced with the conundrum of having friends getting married but no money for gifts. Then, remembering all that calligraphy I did as a child and teen, updated my skills and began gifting envelope addressing. Before long, I was being hired by invitation recipients and, before I knew it, my hobby became my career. The art of scripting beautiful words by dipping my pen in ink and carefully executing letters still fills my soul with joy today.