How My Avocation Became My Vocation

On a Happy Mail post earlier this month,  Sandy asked how did I become interested in calligraphy?

As a kid I was always interested in handwriting and penmanship. I was looking forward to 4th grade when we would be allowed to use a dip pen and ink for penmanship. A neighbor, Mrs. Burns, and the dietitian of the parochial school I went to used to address Christmas cards in her beautiful hand with red or green ink. I wanted to be able to write like that, too.

However, in 1964 when I entered 4th grade, ballpoint pens became a hot item. No fuss, no muss, and I'm thinking cheap inexpensive. That year our school materials package included a blue, Lindy ballpoint pen. That became the writing instrument for all subjects except arithmetic. Color me disappointed that we wouldn't be using a dip pen, and ink from the inkwell in the desk. With Lindy in hand, I learned the Palmer Handwriting Method.

I loved penmanship classes, but the realization that I was left-handed and never going to win the penmanship medal prompted me to spend time changing my handwriting so it wouldn't look like the nuns. I watched how people wrote and if I saw a particular letter I liked, I tried to copy it, and make it my own. Lots of people complimented me on my handwriting.

In my second year of  college, after changing majors like other people change socks, I majored in English, specifically Medieval English Literature. In one of my classes, we were taken to the special collections department of the university library and shown  medieval manuscripts.  I thought the writing looked cool so began taking my notes in a rudimentary, monoline, calligraphy hand.

After I graduated college (1977), a friend gave me my first calligraphy book. I piddle around with it and used a Shaeffer calligraphy pen.

In 1993, my parents were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. Ma wanted me to address her invitations using gold ink and also to fill out the escort cards (what table you are assigned) at the reception. I got a lot of compliments. People began telling me I should address wedding invitations for a living. Since I had left my computer programming career behind to raise a family, running a business I could do from home seemed like a dream come true. I could be home with my girlies, and I could make millions. 😺

After hunting around for calligraphy classes, I was pointed to the Worcester Art Museum and I signed up for a 6 week calligraphy class with Gerry Jackson Kerdok. I thought the class would be a breeze. After all, people were telling me how good I was. I quickly learned that I had picked up a lot of bad habits and this class became the first of many.

I really have Gerry to thank for setting me on the path or giving me the calligraphy affliction. 😺 She encouraged me to join Masscribes, the Massachusetts and Rhode Island, calligraphy guild. Through the guild I was able to take classes and workshops with other master penman. When I asked Gerry if she thought I could address wedding invitations, she told me to go for it. Over the years, she has shared so many hints, tips, books, and took an interest in what I did. 

So even though I had played around with pen and ink, Gerry opened up a whole new world for me including teaching.  She showed me that calligraphy goes beyond invitations and there is so much to learn. History, tools, alphabets, techniques. And the learning never ends.

So how did you become interested in your vocation or avocation?