Merry Calligraphy Gifts

The ideas that I had for my nieces in the windy city just barely made it into the Priority Mail box this year; hot off the press, as they say! First, a personalized sketchbook for a budding artist, and second, a "good morning, good night travel pillow for a young lady who loves all things German.

FAITH calligraphy print by Tagore

This calligraphy print was created especially as a donation for Alaina, a sweet little girl who recently had to travel to California with her family for open heart surgery. Eyes of a Child Photography is sponsoring a silent auction on November 19 (changed from October 30) to help with the family's travel and medical expenses. I also donated one of my Irish Proverb Gift books.

"Faith is the bird that feels the light
and sings when the dawn is still dark." -Tagore

Recent Commissions - YouTube Slide Show

Please click here to enjoy a slideshow of a few of my recent calligraphic commissions on YouTube, including the pieces shown below. :)

Accordion Fold Gift Books

Pictured here are a few of the accordion fold gift books that are available for purchase through my online Etsy shop.
*CUSTOM* accordion fold gift books are available as well! These are hand lettered in gold ink, with your choice of quote. Quotes at least 17, but not more than 34 words work best. Send me an email with your idea, and we'll make it work! :)

Recent Calligraphy Commission, with colors matched to image of a special room

Pictured here is a recent custom piece, created in February and shipped"across the pond" to a customer in England. This collage was designed to match the colors in the room where it will be hung. The possibility of sharing images online has dramatically changed the methods of interaction between artist and customer. I thoroughly enjoyed working on this, and look forward to similar projects in the future.

OM Calligraphy Gift Books

These calligraphy gift books are embellished with the OM symbol on the cover. Great gifts for yoga friends! I have a few left in peach, light blue, and lavender. Please visit my Etsy online shop for more details.

The quote reads:
"Change is not something that we should fear. Rather, it is something that we should welcome, for without change, nothing in this world would ever grow or blossom, and no one in this world would ever move forward to become the person they were meant to be."

Irish Proverb Calligraphy Gift Books

These calligraphic Irish Proverb gift books are a joy to create. Each book is lovingly bound with a hand painted cover, and my hand lettered calligraphy is printed to match. Six different color schemes are currently available through my Etsy shop, and other custom color requests are always welcome. Perfect for St. Patrick's day, housewarming, wedding gifts, or just as a blessing to someone special in your life.

"May you always have walls for the winds, a roof for the rain, and tea beside the fire -
Laughter to cheer you, those you love near you, and all that your heart may desire."

Calligraphy Collage "Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant."

This hand lettered calligraphy collage was recently sold through my online shop at Etsy.com. I hand painted the squares, stenciled copper and gold leaves on them, wrapped them, and then hand lettered the quote in gold. The 8x14 work of art features a cream colored, slightly raised mat, and is ready to frame.

"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant." -R.L.Stevenson

Recent Wedding Commission - Calligraphy Concertina Book

A sample of my lettering on the inner pages of a recent commission. Some of the letters were embellished with gold dots, for added emphasis.

Hand Lettered Concertina Calligraphy Books

If you have a favorite quote and color scheme, you can order a custom calligraphy concertina book. These books make such thoughtful gifts for the special people in your life, including yourself! The text should be between 17-34 words for the perfect fit. These books are 3.5 inches square, and are packaged in a sheer matching gift bag. Display open, on a shelf, or closed, on a small easel. Please send an email for more information, or, purchase through my Etsy online shop.

New Calligraphy Collages with Quotations

This is a sampling of some of the smaller (8x10) calligraphic collages that are available through my Etsy online shop.

Custom Cut Mats

Do you need a special mat for framing a photo or artwork?
I am now offering custom cut mats, with or without calligraphy. I have a nice selection of neutral whites, off-whites, and creams, and would be happy to cut a mat for you, possibly personalizing it it with a quote or the text of your choice. Please contact me to discuss the possibilities!

My Daddy, M.D. Calligraphy Print

This quote has been so popular lately that I have decided to make a print of it. It's available in an 8.5 x 11 print, black italic lettering on cream paper, and sized to fit an 11x14 frame. Orders for this print can be processed through my etsy shop.  I am happy to purchase these prints in tiny lettering with gold ink at no extra charge.

For customers who desire to customize their gift with a photo, I can also offer a hand cut mat with an extra opening for a photo. To place a custom order for this print including a mat, you may contact me through my etsy shop or send me an email. 

Calligraphy Print Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away

I've just completed this 8x10 print of the popular quote "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away." I like this one for so many reasons. It's especially appropriate for wedding or anniversary gifts, or even Valentine's Day, but everyone has his or her own interpretation. There are many anniversaries of the heart. :)

Calligraphy Print Wisdom begins in Wonder. - Socrates

This charming Socrates quote is short, yet meaningful, in a world where everything is moving just a little bit too fast, and we sometimes forget to stop and look around us in awe, at the "wonders" of nature.

This is a new print of my hand lettered calligraphy, which I decided to present as a collage on a hand painted background. It measures 8x8, to fit a standard 12x12 frame. It is printed with Epson archival inks, on Epson Premium Presentation Matte Paper, to last a lifetime.

Hopefully one of many; enjoy!

Collage Note Cards

Here's a small sampling of some collage cards that I occasionally create for art shows or to sell in local gift shops. They are an enjoyable exercise in design and color, rather than being calligraphic works of art. (Click on the image for a larger view.)

Kanji: Fun with a Brush! Calligraphy Commission

One of my corporate contacts recently requested these brush lettered characters for a personal gift. We decided to keep them fairly small, stack them, and frame them with with a red inner mat as an accent color. I cannot reveal the meaning; translation is being left to the recipient. (Click on the image for a larger view.)

Calligraphy: Hand lettered triptych for a church office

These three pieces were commissioned for the office of a church in Virginia. They will be matted on black fabric, and hung side by side in 24x36 frames. (Click on the image for a larger view.)

Framed Calligraphy: The Invariable Mark of Wisdom

This piece was created for a miniature show at the local art center. (Click on the image for a larger view.) It was also displayed in the gift gallery there, and recently sold. :)

Framed Calligraphy: My Daddy, M.D.

My client sent me these hand prints of her children, with a request that I use them in this custom gift for their father, who is a doctor. (Click on the image for a larger view.) I always enjoy lettering such meaningful words.