Another long due interview- the Real Life Lettering Inspiration Vol. 2! So excited to have this published! Meet Christina, Isabel, Nicole, Agnes and Myda! All these ladies have their own unique take of creativity and life in general. Let’s hear what they have to say! In no particular order- let’s meet:
CHRISTINA
Please tell me a little bit about yourself.
I’m Christina, mom to two amazing men, director of children’s ministry at my church, and an avid doodler. Recently, I’ve taken my love for drawing and began a part-time business as an illustrator.
What sparked your interest in art and lettering? What do you feel about your progress?
I can’t remember when I didn’t draw. In fact, my mom kept a picture she bought from me at 4 years old. But there was a huge period of time that life, kids, marriage, work, shifted my heart from drawing. But it’s back now. And through posting on social media, it’s so easy to look back at see progress. I still have much to learn, but I’m happy with where I am at the moment.
What are your hobbies? (apart from art, of course!)
Honestly, I love my real job…serving in children’s ministry. I work with a great team, minister to some wonderful families, and have a lot of fun! Between running a home, working full-time and starting up an illustration business, my additional time is about zero. When I can manage, I’m a fan of road trips, visiting the coast, board games, movies, and reading.
Favourite art tools and supplies?
Not really.
Any people you look up to in the art / lettering / calligraphy field? Or just generally, in life?
I enjoy following the lettering community on Instagram, and do my best to keep comparison and self-critique at bay, but my real passion is art…I dearly love the works of Norman Rockwell, Claude Monet, and James Hance.
Any advice for art and lettering enthusiasts you’d like to share?
Have fun. Try new things. Seek to understand your strengths and spend time growing those, rather than picking apart your weaknesses. And start…being creative fuels creativity in other areas of your life.
Can you recall any memory that brings a smile to your face?
Every day. For the last few years, I’ve been dealing with some significant life challenges, and a brief bout of depression. What I’ve learned is to enjoy what you have, appreciate moments as they come, and recognize that so many things are all too fleeting.
I am a complete introvert, but all the memories that make me smile involve my family and friends. Cherishing the people around you is probably the best advice I could give.
Do you plan on pursuing art professionally, or is it just a hobby you love?
Semi-professionally. Currently, I have my work in Tightrope Boutique, in Puyallup, WA and I have opened a store on Etsy.com
What book are you currently reading?
I am currently reading a manuscript by TJ Scar. Hopefully it will be released as his second book sometime this year.
CONNECT WITH CHRISTINA:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/cwillettdesigns
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cwillettdesigns
Twitter: www.twitter.com/cwillettdesigns
Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/cwillettdesigns
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ISABEL
Please tell me a little bit about yourself.
Hello everyone, I’m Isabel and I live in the beautiful city of Vancouver. I grew up here after moving from Taiwan at age ten. My Clark Kent alias is an Investment Associate in brokerage and wealth management. A far stretch from being “creative”, that’s for sure! Basically we invest large sums of money and try not to lose any of it. My current excitement (and anxiety) is my upcoming wedding in October held in Hawaii! Six months to go and I am definitely getting nervous about how much I still have to get done! That includes writing the calligraphy for the invitations of course!
What sparked your interest in art and lettering? What do you feel about your progress?
I had a solid background in fine arts through extra-curricular training, and a passion for typography developed through creating and coding my own blog in the early 2000’s. It was and still is an obsession how much I care about things like iOS updating the system font (I am pro-San Francisco, haha!) It has been 3 months since I started practicing calligraphy, and I am very happy with my progress. I may have had an easier start because of my background, but I encounter the exact same frustrations as other letterers in our community. It does take courage, faith, and a lotta practice to work through those obstacles. A hard lesson to learn! Some days you just have to drop your pens and walk away.
What are your hobbies? (apart from art, of course!)
I love food, movies, puzzles, beaching, and travelling. I can’t imagine not living next to a coast where I can see and feel the water. My most memorable trip was to Germany with my fiancé Terry. His parents lived half their lives there before meeting in Canada. It was mind-blowing and amazing: the architecture, the culture, the food, the sights, the smells, you name it, I loved it.
Favourite art tools and supplies?
My oblique pen holders, Noodler’s Ink (I read that it’s intended for fountain pens, not for dipped pens, but heck it works great for me!), Zebra G nib, and the trusty Rhodia Dot Pad! Recently I just picked up the Rhodia Blank Pad because the smoothness just can’t be beat for pointed pens. Also of note are my Rembrandt chalk pastels and Winsor & Newton watercolours… I should really dig those out!
Any people you look up to in the art / lettering / calligraphy field? Or just generally, in life?
My favourite artists have all passed – Renoir, Degas, and Mucha are absolute visionaries. Their work have such a soft and romantic quality that I adore. In the calligraphy and lettering field, there are some amazing people on Instagram whose artwork I’ve encountered. It is astonishing how much talent is out there and I look up to so many of them.
Any advice for art and lettering enthusiasts you’d like to share?
My best advice is, do what feels the most right to yourself. Take everyone’s advice humbly, even try it once, and then decide for yourself. One prevalent practice that I don’t agree wholeheartedly with and therefore don’t do, is drilling. I think if you are conscious about what you are doing, each letter and word you write becomes your practice. Write slow to give yourself time to think ahead before the next stroke. Have a plan for how you want it to look like. Then “air-write” it before you touch pen to paper. This way your one letter is a much more developed and intended thought than writing it mindlessly down the page 100 times.
My second piece of advice is, if you find yourself needing to practice a certain letter (you’re not pleased with it, it’s not a letter you use frequently, etc), practice it in conjunction with another letter. For example, if you really dislike your g’s, write it in conjunction with an h. I found that in beginning to write, it wasn’t the letterforms that challenge me as much as the connections between each letter. Where does the g end, and where does the h begin? Again, this relates to making your practice mindful and purposeful. Rarely are you going to end up writing a letter on its own, on your final products!
Can you recall any memory that brings a smile to your face?
Oh yeah, big time. Recently when I got my first commissioned custom calligraphy job. I jumped up and down and danced and screamed “I’M A PAID ARTIST!!!!!” All I wanted to do when I was little was to become one of those portrait artists in the park (haha!) I was SO ecstatic to have been approached, and to be offered a commission to create something for them
Do you plan on pursuing art professionally, or is it just a hobby you love?
You never know! One day I may just walk out of my office saying: this job is just too much stress and too much math and too much UGH! In which case, I most definitely will be pursuing art as a profession! For now it remains a hobby and just something I do for me.
What book are you currently reading?
This is going to be embarrassing, but I am reading (studying) the Wealth Management Essentials textbook from the Canadian Securities Institute. This is part of my official licensing as an advisor. Did everyone just fall asleep? Sorry!!!!! I appreciate you even making it this far down this interview, only to not be rewarded by the boring book I am reading! The last thing I read that I truly enjoyed was the Golden Compass trilogy. What can I say, I’m a sucker for fantasy!
CONNECT WITH ISABEL:
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NICOLE
Please tell me a little bit about yourself.
Hello everyone! My name is Nicole Bourque. I am 27 years old, born and raised in a small central Minnesota town where “everybody knows your name.” Up until this past November I have always lived in Minnesota. Now I am a newly wed living in New Mexico helping my husband start up his dog training business! For the past 6 years I have been living with an unknown chronic illness, which has made it hard to stay motivated with my art up until lately. I am starting on a path to healing (FINALLY) and have been using art to help motivate me through.
What sparked your interest in art and lettering? What do you feel about your progress?
I have been interested in art since I could hold a pencil. It was my favorite subject in elementary, high school and I went to college for Graphic Design. I’ve always loved the idea of hand lettering, but never had the motivation to try it. I always felt more comfortable designing things on the computer. However, now that I’ve gotten started with lettering I can’t get enough of it and am proud of all the progress I’ve made since I started in March.
What are your hobbies? (apart from art, of course!)
My hobbies include going on walks, training dogs (thanks to my husband), hanging out with friends and family, making crafts, decorating, singing and spontaneous dance.
Favourite art tools and supplies?
Tombow fude, Tombow dual brush pens and my water colors are some of my favorite art tools that I currently use. I’m new into lettering so I have a ton of other tools to check out!
Any people you look up to in the art / lettering / calligraphy field? Or just generally, in life?
In life, I look up to my older brother. He does nothing with art or lettering, but he has been my biggest supporter in my art journey ever since I got serious with it when I was 16. When it comes to being driven and successful, my brother is the poster child. He has overcome many odds and he continues to inspire me every day.
Any advice for art and lettering enthusiasts you’d like to share?
My advice to art and lettering enthusiasts would be to never give up, don’t get caught up in perfection, and most importantly HAVE FUN!! I used to get so anxious about everything I did to be perfect. Throughout my journey I’ve learned to let that go and have realized that there is so much beauty in imperfection. And, it is less stressful 😉
Can you recall any memory that brings a smile to your face?
On my most recent birthday, which happened to be my golden birthday, my brother called me and asked me to be the Godmother of his daughter (my first niece). I was beyond honored and the happiest woman that day! Best birthday present, EVER! Then that night I played Apples to Apples with my husband, cousin and mom who was visiting for the week.
Do you plan on pursuing art professionally, or is it just a hobby you love?
Currently I am in the process of figuring out how serious of a role art will be playing in my life. I’m working on opening up an Etsy shop in the next couple of months (hopefully sooner!) and that could help me determine how serious I want to be about it. I’ve always wanted it to be my profession, however I haven’t had the energy to withhold that due to my chronic illness. Right now I feel like I’m getting a second chance at conquering my dream of making art a larger part again.
What book are you currently reading?
Since I just got married, I’m reading “For Women Only” so I can understand men better! Hopefully it’ll help my husband and I to stop sounding like an old bickering married couple 😉
CONNECT WITH NICOLE:
INSTAGRAM: @nabourque
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AGNES
Please tell me a little bit about yourself.
My name is Agnes and I’m 40-turning-40. I’m a single mom to a 18yo son. I live in Sunny Island Singapore. And my day job is an Administrator in one of the local polytechnics.
What sparked your interest in art and lettering? What do you feel about your progress?
I know I love art. As my son gets older, I have more me-time and thus able to do the things I enjoy. And one of them is art.
10 years ago, I chanced upon digital scrapbooking and I’m still at it. Three years ago, I chanced upon lettering and I love how the words can be beautified into eye-catching art pieces
I am not progressing at all in terms of my lettering skills & techniques. But I am progressing in the sense that I know what type of art & lettering I wanna do.
What are your hobbies? (apart from art, of course!)
My other hobbies are digital scrapbooking and cross-stitching. Well, more like hoarding cross-stitch patterns & materials. Cos the last time I stitch a cross was 5 years ago, I think.
Favourite art tools and supplies?
As I am still a newbie, I do not have a favourite art tool and supplies. Plus I don’t dare to invest in the branded supplies.
For lettering, I’m using the Staedtler Triplus Fineliner (latest buy), Micron Pens, Zig Millennium Pens, Sharpie Marker, Pentel Colour Pens & Zig Clean Colour. I’m thinking of buying more Sharpie Markers cos right now I only have one (1) black.
For watercolour, I think I had fallen in love with the Pentel waterbrush. And recently I had found an Instagram account that uses Pentel watercolour paint and her art pieces are gorgeous. So that reassure me that I had made the right choice with my Pentel watercolour 12pc set paint. Now I’m contemplating to get the bigger set. Cos I suck at mixing colors. LOL !!!
I am also using the Staedtler watercolour pencils. I might upgrade to the Prisma or Derwent.
Another watercolouring tool I’m using is the Zig Real Brush. But I’m still learning how to use them.
The latest addition to my watercolour stash is a 165gsm sketch pad. And I’m loving it, because I can do wet-on-wet with it. Most importantly it is making my watercolour pieces turn out to be what it’s supposed to look like. Next I’ll be getting the professional watercolour papers to try.
Any people you look up to in the art / lettering / calligraphy field? Or just generally, in life?
I do not have a specific person in mind where art & life is concerned. Each of us has something to teach the world. So I just pick and choose the ones that speak to me at that moment.
As I have just started on a watercolour journey, I am browsing the Instagram for inspiring watercolour feeds.
Any advice for art and lettering enthusiasts you’d like to share?
As I am still a newbie and trying to find my style, I don’t have any advice to share. It’s more like me looking for guidance from the seasoned players.
Can you recall any memory that brings a smile to your face?
Yes. My first over-the-sea solo trip to London in Jan 2015. And my son’s first-over-the-sea school trip to Cambodia in June 2015 . The next memory will be our first over-the-sea-mother-son-trip to London in June 2016.
Do you plan on pursuing art professionally, or is it just a hobby you love?
One of my other hobbies is cross-stitch. And I had created a few DIY mini projects for friends. So I do have the intention of converting my art and/or lettering into cross-stitch patterns. Or cross-stitch them myself. And put them up for sale online. But if that fails, art & lettering will be just a hobby for me. And I’m fine with that. But for now, I just wanna concentrate on enjoying the process.
What book are you currently reading?
I’m not reading anything now. My last read was the Corps Security series by Harper Sloan.
CONNECT WITH AGNES:
Instagram: @purlz76
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MYDA
Please tell me a little bit about yourself.
Hi my name is Myda and I am a 41 year old mom of 4 children with ages ranging from 23 to 7. I love anything that has to do with creativity. Creating gives me an outlet when I’m stressed or just want to be alone. I love to paint & hand letter, (whether it’s on paper or my iPad). I love looking at all kinds of different art. I own Kinkade paintings and I have several art pieces from different Instagram friends including, abstract, mixed media, and wood pieces. I love supporting people in the arts. My husband and I own a muscle/classic car restoration shop and on the side we like to make furniture. My children all have a knack for arts as well so I encourage them with art supplies and classes!
What sparked your interest in art and lettering? What do you feel about your progress?
I’ve always loved art and lettering. Lettering was something I did a lot of in high school. I don’t know where it came from, it was just something I had inside of me. I’ve always loved art and would sketch and doodle mostly in high school. I stopped doing it after high school, which was back in 1993, and I have started again just a few years ago. I took a class with Tamara LaPorte called Life Book and that has helped me with learning about different mediums and how to draw better. I feel I have progressed a lot and am hopeful that I can become better with practice.
What are your hobbies? (apart from art, of course!)
I also love photography, wood work, movies and music. My latest hobby or stress reliever is playing piano. I started piano lessons in March of this year and I’m loving it! I love making my little essential oil holders and painting them with chalk paint. Photography is something I love to do whenever I can. I mostly use my iPhone but also have a Canon t3i which takes great photos. I love all kinds of different movie genres and music genres.
Favourite art tools and supplies?
Right now my favorites are my Zig Clean Color Real Brushes and Tomboy Fude hard and soft pens. I also love using my iPad Pro and Apple Pencil. Perfect for on the go!
Any people you look up to in the art / lettering / calligraphy field? Or just generally, in life?
In the art/lettering I say this in all honesty, I love Aaria’s work! I love how she blends her art with lettering. I also have so many lettering friends that do such amazing work and am just in awe of their lettering and techniques. I love Amanda Arneill @amandaarneill, Vanessa @calligra_vee, In the iPad lettering world I love Karin @ipadlettering and Teela @everytuesday, I love Christie Macey @christie_macey, Laura @laurafedorowicz, Leah @little_lief_creative and Amy @lilylaneart… there are just way too many to name!
Any advice for art and lettering enthusiasts you’d like to share?
Just keep swimming. Encourage yourself and watch your self talk. Anyone can do anything over time and practice. Try to do daily challenges which push you to improve. Interact with others who have the same interests and always encourage and uplift others!
Can you recall any memory that brings a smile to your face?
Honestly, i know this is cliche, but when I think of my kids and the funny things they do or say, that always brings a smile to my face.
Do you plan on pursuing art professionally, or is it just a hobby you love?
I would love to pursue it professionally! Yes, for now, it is a hobby I love!
What book are you currently reading?
Harry Potter Chamber Of Secrets – the whole series actually but I’m on the 2nd book now.
CONNECT WITH MYDA:
Instagram – @mydastouchletters (for lettering), @mydabug (for art), @mydas__touch (wood work – with 2 underscores), and @mydastouchphotos (photography)
Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.com/mydas_touch/
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Thank you for sharing! Wishing you all the very best in your creative journey! -Aaria 🙂 Read more about them and see their artwork on this interview over on surely simple and this one too.