Calligrapher for Team USA - 2016 Rio Olympics
Houston calligrapher and wine bottle engraver
So the vast majority of my work is split between corporate events and weddings. It was quite a treat to be approached for this project of documenting a family recipe. For the 90th birthday of this family's treasured grandmother, someone had the wonderful idea of having her "famous Pecan Pie" documented with calligraphy. I absolutely love it!
Engraving wine bottles for gifts is one of my favorite things to do. This one is just right for the new year. I tried to provide a close-up on this one. If you look at the name, you can get a feel for the depth of the engraving. Very groovy! Cheers!
These gorgeous Andaluz tiles serve as a great place card or escort card to provide an option that is different from the norm for your guests. I absolutely love these right now!
Mirror seating charts & menus are SO GORGEOUS!!! I just love creating these as they make an event over the top by just being there.
It was such a pleasure and a privilege being invited to work with Neiman Marcus and Chanel for this event. I must say that it was pretty awesome to look over and see those iconic invitations as they dried from my calligraphy. And of course, the paper was none other than Crane & Co.
I absolutely love white ink on gray paper. Love love love it. SO when one of my corporate clients from NYC needed place cards, I was happy to oblige her on my favorite colors.
SO I absolutely ADORE using white ink on black or gray paper. This ensemble for an upcoming wedding just made me swoon. The couple also chose black paper that exhibits a shimmer. It is stunning in person. Take a look at the process. You can even catch my graphite lines while they were hanging to dry before I erased them. SSSHHH!!! Don't tell anyone:)
These message in a bottle place cards are great for weddings as they make for a wonderful keepsake for your guests. These only require about a 1-2 week turnaround and can be completed in various writing styles. Love these!
I have decided to start offering Spanish Tiles as escort cards. These are great for destination weddings and look gorgeous and cool in person. With over 20 choices for designs, the tiles can match just about any color scheme. I just ADORE these!
I LOVE making cartouches as an accent to a word or name. They really add to the piece and tell the reader that this was definitely created by hand.
Bella Grafia is now offering address/name stamps. The process is simple. Once you decide on what writing style you would like, I will write it out by hand and send you a proof. Upon approval, I will have the stamp made and delivered. The whole process takes roughly 7-10 days. Voila! No need for impersonal printed return addresses. The name stamps are also great to use on your thank you notes. Love it!
This bride opted for the Copperplate Citadel that is slightly flourished. Simple and elegant form that is true to the 16th century European tradition. Portions of the addresses have been digitally obscured for client privacy.
Modern calligraphy is a step outside of "my box" but it does have a fun feel to it. I see this more for casual events etc.
This client had the wonderful idea of presenting his wife with the song lyrics that they danced to at their wedding for their anniversary. Great gift! I also thought that I would use the pictures to show a glimpse of the process that I use on a piece of this nature.
My process is simple, but requires time. I start by testing the paper with my inks. Then I begin estimating the number of lines that will be needed (hand-written vs the computer type that I received) and the size of the lettering based on the size of paper that the client desires for framing etc. Next, I draw graphite lines on the paper. Then, I write the piece in pencil to estimate centering and reevaluate the number of lines needed etc. This allows me to make centering/spelling changes and shift lines without ruining countless pages of paper (save the trees, please). Then, I ink it and let it dry. After it's dry, I erase the lines and proof-read for the 2nd time. He loved it.....Mission Accomplished!
Beautiful ornate roundhand place cards for a wedding later this month. Various flourishes were used to indicate meal preferences. Great idea from the bride and easy to execute.
The beauty of the Capital U. Just a quick doodle on the back side of my notes during an illustration seminar. This same U was used on a wine label design recently completed. (The ink is still drying...)
Ornate Roundhand Calligraphy
This bottle was engraved for a graduation gift. If it comes in it's own box, the odds of it being tasty are high. Who wouldn't love to be on the recipient end of this? Thanks for the referral, Albany!
There are always names on wedding invitation lists that make me do a double take. This one is the coolest so far. And yes, this is from an actual list. Fairy tales really do come true.
I am honored to have been chosen for the 2nd year in a row as Houston's Best Engraver for 2014. The link to the press release is below.
http://houstontx.houstontx.recognitionawarding.com/PressReleaseub.aspx?cc=DC8H-QBCB-G7FF
