Developing your style, part one.

My handwriting, circa 1984:

You could say my love of handwriting began in 4th grade, with Mrs. Larson.  I was, well, a little bit chatty.  The consequence for talking too much in class was writing out your spelling words 50 times each.  I had that punishment, well, um, pretty much every week.  And being a crafty girl, it didn't take me long to get bored writing the words in list format.  So I drew pictures and filled them in with words instead of colors.  I like to think that's when it all began, lemons from lemonade.

Fast forward to college, where I somehow managed to test into an advanced French class.  One day and I was already way over my head.  Meanwhile, my good friend Chris was taking a class called Crafts.  I felt a bit guilty paying private school tuition for a class called Crafts, but on some level realized it was a perfect fit (or at least a considerably better fit than advanced French).  We learned copper enameling, weaving, ceramics, and spent two weeks on Italic calligraphy.  Chris and I both continued practicing our lettering during college.  I tried different styles when writing quotes to hang on the door to my dorm room:

Fast forward again to my first job, as an elementary teacher.  My bulletin boards featured quotes from Rilke and Gibran, my lesson plan book was color coded.  The art of actually teaching...not so much. 

Meanwhile, I met the man I eventually married.  I contemplated what I would really do with my talents.  I started a mail order garden journal business, I sold greeting cards to A Fine Romance, I designed calendars. 

Peter proposed and I suggested we wait to get married until I had this career-thing figured out.  He replied, "Why don't we get married right away, and then you'll have all kinds of time to figure it out?"

It was 1991.  Invitation styles were extremely limited.  I designed ours (or, rather, designed at least a dozen different options).  A friend came to our wedding and asked me to design their invitation for the following spring.  A friend at their wedding asked me to design for a fall wedding.  I slowly realized this business could encompass all those things  I enjoyed and was good at -- lettering, illustration, quotes, sometimes even sewing or beads or seeds (and even all of those at once!).  Dreamland was born.

Comments

[shana]

That's right, we share an anniversary! Hope you had a great day on Monday! Happy 18th, right?
I can't believe how much your handwriting has changed over the years. Way to practice. It give me hope that mine can get "cooler" too!
Happy Thursday!
Shana

[Diane]

Love that story! It's so helpful and inspiring to see the evolution of your handwriting . . . and you're only at 1991! Thank you for taking the time to put together those examples for us. One of the things I enjoy about your writing is your spacing . . . not only are the letterforms beautiful and bouncy (so fun) but their placement on the page elevates the words to art . . . even your simpliest examples. These early pieces already demonstrate that gift and skill and even though your style has developed . . . we can still see the 'you' that was there since the beginning. Thanks for encoraging us to practice and persevere!

[Melissa Gruber]

I have heard the story I think 2 times and it was fun to read and hear again. Thanks for everything you do!

[Dar]

I love the story of you.
There is such joy and thoughtfulness in everything you do.

[kribss]

thanks for sharing how your writing style changed as time went on, gives me some hope!

[Kim B.]

I love your story of how you found what you were meant to do! That is so cool, and really inspiring. I love seeing the development and your humility in recognizing that while you were pursuing other things, your talents were there percolating and being used, even if not the focal point. You've told and illustrated the story so beautifully. Thanks!

[Kim B.]

Also, I recognize that recipe card -- what was that paper goods catalog called? Current? My mom always ordered from them. . .

[Jill]

What a fun and interesting post...the evolution of your handwriting. Thanks, Gina!

[Amanda]

I loved reading your story. I am itching for more!! :) xx A