Why did I learn calligraphy?
Practice pages and designing a monogram back in 2016.
I was always a stationery nerd.
From an early age, I felt such excitement when it was ‘back to school’ time and we were going shopping in the stationery section of the local bookshop. I would examine every type of pen on the shelves, fascinated by their different designs and shapes.
My best friend’s mum used to use a broad-edge calligraphy pen on all of her cards and receiving one of those cards was always a special experience. It felt like special care had gone into the writing of it. It was around then that I first heard the word ‘calligraphy’ and I got my first beginners kit as a birthday present.
By the time secondary school came around, I was experimenting with lettering in my homework journal and graffiti’d my folders to within an inch of their lives. I was studying art as a subject and I enjoyed it (drawing portraits in particular), but I didn’t get good grades in my Leaving Cert (history of art was not my forté) and I lost confidence in my creative side.
My career became the focus after that. I studied languages with computing, got a job as a technical writer and became obsessed with linguistics, etymology, and user experience. No time for hobbies, I was a money-makin’ professional!
When I later met my now-husband and we started planning our wedding, I saw the opportunity to learn calligraphy in a serious way. I wanted to create beautiful, flourished, elegant letters on our wedding stationery.
So, I started following online lessons by some fantastic calligraphy teachers from the US, printed all the downloadable worksheets I could find, bought my basic supplies and I was in my element - practicing once a week. It was my fun wedding project and gave me some time just for me!
But, my wedding stationery wasn’t the end goal at all - in fact, it was only the beginning of a hobby that I will always be improving on and learning about. Because, I think it has become part of my personality. My obsession with language has extended to my art, as I transform my favourite words, quotes, and lyrics with calligraphy and put them in frames around my home.
In 2024, I went back to the more ‘foundational’ form of art and took some acrylics classes. I ended up with three amazing paintings on canvas that I’m so proud of! So, my artistic side is back and I am embracing it.
But, what is becoming clear to me also is my need for a practice that is mindful. Particularly in my daily life as a working mum, calligraphy forces me to slow down and take my time. One of my favourite things to do these days is to write an affirmation in colourful ink!
Oh, one last thing. Did I mention that modern calligraphy and lettering is also practical? Now that I’m a parent, it’s perfect for those weekends that I’ve forgotten to buy a card for a kids’ birthday party!
Le grá,
Louise x