Calligrapher Mara Zepeda.........and elegant tattoos

Back in our first years of married student life in Toronto, I contributed to the lean family income with a cool job in the posh custom invitation business so I became well-acquainted with the creative art of calligraphy. Having watched, learned, and tried this exquisite art I have nothing but admiration for a talented calligrapher. It has been too many years since I practised putting ink to watermarked paper but when I saw the work of Philadelphia journalist/calligrapher Mara Zepeda of Neither Snow I wanted to start all over again, get the nibs and practise paper out and see if I could try her unique lower case style which she refers to as "messily elegant". Crazy crazy thinking, because I do know this..........this is one talented calligrapher and her style is one that is not that easily rendered or copied. Calligraphy is a precise art in a sense, diligently keeping the illustrated style consistent on each and every envelope or place card so when you see a spirited calligraphy style that is not formally precise it surprises the eye in a most delightful way, I would frame an envelope addressed to me by her wouldn't you? Along with wedding work, Mara does corporate work and even elegant tattoo designs as you can see in her portfolio here. Yes, that is the real Gwyneth Paltrow on that place card, go here to read Mara's part in Paltrow's recent book launch party. And I know you want to see that calligraphy tattoo..........admit it. It's here and here. 

Objects of Desire here

Images from Neither Snow