It completes the package :) I love looking at your journals and, more broadly, your work and seeing the world that you create as enhanced by your handwriting.
Now you’re talking...I love, love, love your writing about handwriting! I also have been playing with my handwriting since forever. Your examples are inspiring and beautiful. Though I’ve practiced “calligraphy hands” for years, I much prefer the freeer, looser thicks and thins of modern calligraphy...like your handwriting. I like the physical writing process and the feel of the pen or pencil on paper. It becomes meditative, and I can always tell what mood I’m in by the look of the letters on the page.
My neighbor’s mother made a living assessing people’s character from their handwriting...this was back in the 40’s/50s I think.
Completely self taught. I bet she would assess your character as sterling!
I love my handwriting. But when I practiced medicine, I let my signature get messy. We were warned about neat handwriting being so legible it might get you in trouble with a lawyer. I will use my handwriting more in my artwork! Though I think it will be foreign to most as time goes on, since cursive is no longer taught in schools. Thank you for this!
I have not been as bold with my handwriting in my 'sketch my day' journals. I have been focusing on the images. However, I do like playing with words, always have. So, your post is a good prompt to explore the world of text as shape, texture, color and pattern in a page of a journal or anything. Thank you. I also signed up for the draw your coffeemug/cup. That should be fun. Thank you for all the resources. Cheers
Ah! so jealous, I write on my cartoons and have to actively suppress how much I dislike my handwriting every time. I'm going to play with your idea of drawing the writing as I definitely write my writing and see if that feels different. Thank you! xo
I don't often write in works myself but that's because I don't like the way my writing looks. Others now, THAT's a whole different story! I like yours, I hate mine! *Laughs at myself* I have made works with writing in it a couple times in the past, just to try it out but again, I didn't like the way my writing looked. I suppose I'm a bit critical of myself. When I was younger, I did love writing letters to others! Did you love writing letters? Cursive came easily and although I am not a parent, it's HUGELY SAD to me knowing that kids today aren't being taught cursive. How will people know how to sign their names if their computers don't work? Printing your name isn't the same as signing it. My heart breaks knowing that some won't know how to sign their names. History is repeating itself in ways because long ago they didn't know how to write either and would sign with an X. How different will children be if they are never taught cursive? How much have things really changed? That's what I tend to wonder... I'm not a parent and I wonder that. Anyway, great post. I love your art!!! It makes me smile so thanks for sharing it!
I like to think of handwriting the same as drawing - when people tell me they don’t like theirs I tell them even the “worst” writing is cool and can be worked into your artwork if you embrace it in a new way. James Victore is a good example of how messy writing can be awesome if celebrated and used with intention.
Thankfully the one thing my kids know how to write in cursive is their names. I made sure they could sign their names!
The handwriting always balances your drawings so perfectly — just an incredibly eye-pleasing and appealing visual style! Also, which cafe in Toronto has the walls with your handwriting?
Thanks, Daniel! It was on the walls of ACE Bakery. But years ago! Not there anymore… at least I don’t think so :)
These images pretty much go in chronological order so it was done during my first job out of college at a small design firm. I lived in Toronto for four years after graduating :)
I have forever played with my handwriting! In middle school I spent a lot of time observing and mimicking other handwriting I found interesting, trying it on for size. Sometime in college I fell into a handwriting I've used fairly consistently since then that's somewhere between print and cursive. When I slow down, I can disconnect my letters and that's often the print I use for anything I need someone to actually read. Ha! I do wish I was better at embellishing my writing and have played some with getting better at brush lettering.
My oldest was in 2nd grade when school came home in 2020 and then we continued homeschooling, at first as a "one year" temporary solution and now we're four years in. That first year, when I was throwing spaghetti at the wall of learning at home, I bought her a cursive handbook. She hadn't taken any cursive in school at this point. Since then, each of my kids has gone on to learn cursive at home; both my boys started in second grade. My youngest's (he's in 2nd) is imperfect but ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE.
Hi Kristine, I love that! I am sure your second grader's cursive is adorable. I would love to see that. I tried and tried with my boys but they both were not into it and I didnt want to argue. When you look at their handwriting now you would never know they were my kids!
Oh thank you for the link to your course! Sounds right up my alley!
I just tagged you in a comment on a Note I shared of work he must have done recently wit his new fountain pen. His print writing is so magical to me, too. I'm too chicken to get a tattoo, but I've thought a few times that having him letter the word "hope" would be about the only one I'd consider getting!
This was a particularly inspiring piece. I am reluctant to add writing to my art pieces. It's as though it takes a different space in my brain and I haven't been able to do both. I have my art sketchbooks and my writing journal, but don't combine them. I have a compilation of quotes but somehow it feels like work to select one and figure out the lettering. But I so admire your use of lettering and am quite intrigued by your comment about using lettering to add texture.
Hi Eva, I am glad you found it inspiring! I dont think the writing has to be embellished or special to add to your sketchbook, but rather your natural handwriting can be an extention of the work. A part of your hand and style. I think sometimes the idea of "lettering" throws people off and gets confused with "lettering art" but thats not necessary.... I hope that makes sense!
Yes, it makes perfect sense. I think one of my hurdles is WHAT to write. My writing journal is more personal stuff. My art is a personal expression, but what I would write would be different, of course. Still thinking about it, but that's one reason I enjoyed your piece here so much. Thanks!
I love playing with text and lettering! Also I’m always inspired seeing your text in your artwork. It’s really beautiful in a way that’s not overdone and seems very natural.
Thank you for this wonderful post on preserving and celebrating calligraphy. As a classically trained Islamic calligrapher, I resonate deeply with the importance of keeping these timeless arts alive. It's heartening to see others passionate about preserving and sharing these traditional skills. Your dedication to calligraphy is truly inspiring and a vital contribution to ensuring that these beautiful practices continue to thrive in our modern world. Thank you for your commitment and for spreading the love of calligraphy.
It completes the package :) I love looking at your journals and, more broadly, your work and seeing the world that you create as enhanced by your handwriting.
thank you, Lindsey!
Now you’re talking...I love, love, love your writing about handwriting! I also have been playing with my handwriting since forever. Your examples are inspiring and beautiful. Though I’ve practiced “calligraphy hands” for years, I much prefer the freeer, looser thicks and thins of modern calligraphy...like your handwriting. I like the physical writing process and the feel of the pen or pencil on paper. It becomes meditative, and I can always tell what mood I’m in by the look of the letters on the page.
My neighbor’s mother made a living assessing people’s character from their handwriting...this was back in the 40’s/50s I think.
Completely self taught. I bet she would assess your character as sterling!
Thanks for this post...so timely.
Hi Barbara, I have always wondered how my handwriting would be analyzed by a pro!
Glad you liked this post. I’ll do more with lettering in the meetups!
I love my handwriting. But when I practiced medicine, I let my signature get messy. We were warned about neat handwriting being so legible it might get you in trouble with a lawyer. I will use my handwriting more in my artwork! Though I think it will be foreign to most as time goes on, since cursive is no longer taught in schools. Thank you for this!
You’re welcome. If we all keep writing in script then the kids will have to figure it out. I’m hopeful it won’t fade away
I have not been as bold with my handwriting in my 'sketch my day' journals. I have been focusing on the images. However, I do like playing with words, always have. So, your post is a good prompt to explore the world of text as shape, texture, color and pattern in a page of a journal or anything. Thank you. I also signed up for the draw your coffeemug/cup. That should be fun. Thank you for all the resources. Cheers
You're welcome! I am glad this post might inspire more play with written words in your sketchbooks. And see you in the coffee class, too!
I relate to this so much! Maybe we are modern calligraphers?
I think so. Like modern dance... anything goes. And I know you can relate. We are two peas in a pod in this department!!
🧡
So talented !
Ah! so jealous, I write on my cartoons and have to actively suppress how much I dislike my handwriting every time. I'm going to play with your idea of drawing the writing as I definitely write my writing and see if that feels different. Thank you! xo
Yes it’s a brain shift.. think of the words as part of your cartoons!
Fascinating! Thank you for these charming and beautiful "writings."
I don't often write in works myself but that's because I don't like the way my writing looks. Others now, THAT's a whole different story! I like yours, I hate mine! *Laughs at myself* I have made works with writing in it a couple times in the past, just to try it out but again, I didn't like the way my writing looked. I suppose I'm a bit critical of myself. When I was younger, I did love writing letters to others! Did you love writing letters? Cursive came easily and although I am not a parent, it's HUGELY SAD to me knowing that kids today aren't being taught cursive. How will people know how to sign their names if their computers don't work? Printing your name isn't the same as signing it. My heart breaks knowing that some won't know how to sign their names. History is repeating itself in ways because long ago they didn't know how to write either and would sign with an X. How different will children be if they are never taught cursive? How much have things really changed? That's what I tend to wonder... I'm not a parent and I wonder that. Anyway, great post. I love your art!!! It makes me smile so thanks for sharing it!
I like to think of handwriting the same as drawing - when people tell me they don’t like theirs I tell them even the “worst” writing is cool and can be worked into your artwork if you embrace it in a new way. James Victore is a good example of how messy writing can be awesome if celebrated and used with intention.
Thankfully the one thing my kids know how to write in cursive is their names. I made sure they could sign their names!
I wish that everyone did that.
The handwriting always balances your drawings so perfectly — just an incredibly eye-pleasing and appealing visual style! Also, which cafe in Toronto has the walls with your handwriting?
Thanks, Daniel! It was on the walls of ACE Bakery. But years ago! Not there anymore… at least I don’t think so :)
These images pretty much go in chronological order so it was done during my first job out of college at a small design firm. I lived in Toronto for four years after graduating :)
I know ACE bakery. I’ll scope out the walls next time I’m in the area!
I love your handwriting!
I have forever played with my handwriting! In middle school I spent a lot of time observing and mimicking other handwriting I found interesting, trying it on for size. Sometime in college I fell into a handwriting I've used fairly consistently since then that's somewhere between print and cursive. When I slow down, I can disconnect my letters and that's often the print I use for anything I need someone to actually read. Ha! I do wish I was better at embellishing my writing and have played some with getting better at brush lettering.
My oldest was in 2nd grade when school came home in 2020 and then we continued homeschooling, at first as a "one year" temporary solution and now we're four years in. That first year, when I was throwing spaghetti at the wall of learning at home, I bought her a cursive handbook. She hadn't taken any cursive in school at this point. Since then, each of my kids has gone on to learn cursive at home; both my boys started in second grade. My youngest's (he's in 2nd) is imperfect but ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE.
Hi Kristine, I love that! I am sure your second grader's cursive is adorable. I would love to see that. I tried and tried with my boys but they both were not into it and I didnt want to argue. When you look at their handwriting now you would never know they were my kids!
I do have a class on lettering and embellising handwriting. it is here if youre interested: https://nerdabe.com/course/playful-lettering-and-typography
Oh thank you for the link to your course! Sounds right up my alley!
I just tagged you in a comment on a Note I shared of work he must have done recently wit his new fountain pen. His print writing is so magical to me, too. I'm too chicken to get a tattoo, but I've thought a few times that having him letter the word "hope" would be about the only one I'd consider getting!
This was a particularly inspiring piece. I am reluctant to add writing to my art pieces. It's as though it takes a different space in my brain and I haven't been able to do both. I have my art sketchbooks and my writing journal, but don't combine them. I have a compilation of quotes but somehow it feels like work to select one and figure out the lettering. But I so admire your use of lettering and am quite intrigued by your comment about using lettering to add texture.
Hi Eva, I am glad you found it inspiring! I dont think the writing has to be embellished or special to add to your sketchbook, but rather your natural handwriting can be an extention of the work. A part of your hand and style. I think sometimes the idea of "lettering" throws people off and gets confused with "lettering art" but thats not necessary.... I hope that makes sense!
Yes, it makes perfect sense. I think one of my hurdles is WHAT to write. My writing journal is more personal stuff. My art is a personal expression, but what I would write would be different, of course. Still thinking about it, but that's one reason I enjoyed your piece here so much. Thanks!
I love playing with text and lettering! Also I’m always inspired seeing your text in your artwork. It’s really beautiful in a way that’s not overdone and seems very natural.
Thank you, Zuri. The writing/lettering and the drawing is one and the same for me so I am glad it seems natural and you find it inspiring!
Lovely post, visually and otherwise.
Thank you, Pam!
I wish I could inject your handwriting abilities into my hands!!!
haha I love your writing tho!
Thank you for this wonderful post on preserving and celebrating calligraphy. As a classically trained Islamic calligrapher, I resonate deeply with the importance of keeping these timeless arts alive. It's heartening to see others passionate about preserving and sharing these traditional skills. Your dedication to calligraphy is truly inspiring and a vital contribution to ensuring that these beautiful practices continue to thrive in our modern world. Thank you for your commitment and for spreading the love of calligraphy.