I started calligraphy as a hobby in 1979. Little did I know how close I was to so many others on the west coast who were also beginning the journey into hand lettering. (Yes, I am a California girl). While mostly self taught, I did take one community college class, but I was young and never stayed in one place very long. I moved and didn’t follow up or search for more classes until my moving days were over. With the kids grown and off on their own adventures, I sat down at the computer and typed in "calligraphy classes near me…" 

Now living in the St Louis Metro East (Illinois), the first thing to be listed in that internet search was The St. Louis Calligraphy Guild.  Hmmmm... I printed out the membership form and joined. After a slow start I met some great calligraphers, went to the meetings and took some workshops. Now it has been 14 years. Can that be right? 

The best benefit has been before that internet search, I was only working with Italic. Now I have skill in many other scripts, use different mediums, have attended two international conferences, and met talented people who also love to draw letters.  While there are days I still feel like a beginner, there are days where I feel most accomplished. There is still so much to learn!  I will be at my desk just practicing my lettering, or joining in on what the guild offers next to expand my knowledge. 

My exposure to letters and using words artistically started from an excellent high school art teacher. She laid before us a world of art and challenged us to embrace many styles and techniques. The love of art and letters and words was later brought steps further in my college days at the Memphis Academy of Arts.

Twenty years or so ago, I joined the St. Louis Calligraphy Guild, which has served as my tutor by means of meetings, workshops, year long classes, and the exposure to the talents of those around me. The guild members and their artwork, tips, and encouragement have been the single most important tool for growing in my lettering arts journey. It’s not just the letters, it’s been the education in learning to communicate in a way as to make each letter and word, each layout, speak to the viewer. It’s been a beautiful ride.

I've had an affection for calligraphy ever since I received a certificate from the library's Read-A-Way summer program for reading 10 books and the head librarian wrote my name on it with a broad edged pen.  That stayed with me for many years until 1980 when calligraphy became very popular.  I bought myself a Schaefer "calligraphy set" but couldn't figure out the thicks and thins on my own, so I signed up for a beginning Italic class at a local community school.  This led to joining the Guild, taking more classes, and taking almost every workshop the Guild has offered since then.  I've discovered, for the most part, that you can learn at least one new thing from each workshop.  I taught Beginning Italic for 19 years at various St. Louis Community schools, sharing my love of beautiful writing.  And being a bean counter vs. an artist, I have also been able to serve the Guild as treasurer and with other behind-the-scenes activities. 

A hand lettered alphabet on the blackboard caught my eye back in fourth grade. During a graphic design class at Washington University, I expanded my drawing skills into copying alphabets from catalogs of rub off letters.   At the end of the semester, Professor Dick Brunell told me about a potential career as a calligrapher, but I did not comprehend what that might be. 

As a novice high school art teacher, I wrote my student worksheets with an Osmiroid pen in Chancery Cursive, the italic hand he had taught.

With summer months free to plan our wedding, I lettered all our stationery.  That initiated my business as people began to ask me to write poems and fill in names on certificates.  Fortunately, I learned about the newly formed Saint Louis Calligraphy Guild, and joined in its first months. We were a sizable group, meeting and exhibiting our art at the Missouri Botanical Garden.  I helped with the guild newsletter and exhibits until our growing family left me little time for adult art. Guild enrichment was soon replaced by teaching art in school, scouting and family activities.

The Saint Louis guild introduced me to countless aspects of calligraphy through a calendar of monthly meetings, seasonal workshops, events around town, inspiring friendships, connections to other guilds and conferences. These are some of the member perks which grew my single fountain pen skills into a “flourishing” professional business.  The array of lettering styles I now enjoy includes pointed pen Copperplate with its delightful oval line extensions.

During the 8 years we lived in Tennessee, I was very active in the Nashville guild, and participated in 4 IAMPETH conferences. I love the extensive variety of lettering and decorative skills I have learned through multiple workshops every year with many top calligraphic artists.   

My fellow calligraphers are generous and fun, fascinated with expanding their skills and trying new tools and media.  Come for a visit. I have a studio full to share with you!   

Welcome to the guild, Joan, and thanks for bringing your enthusiasm to our board!     

Joan Oakley became interested in lettering and calligraphy in 7th grade when she lettered the weekly pep rally posters and other events for her school. As a high school art teacher, she was asked to fill in hundreds of certificates for various events and awards. In addition to teaching calligraphy to adults and students, Joan has taught at the undergraduate and graduate level, delivering courses in education, curriculum, and research, art appreciation, and art history at the college level. In addition to calligraphy, Joan enjoys landscape painting, working in watercolor, oils, and pastel. 

My career was in graphic design and advertising.  I have been a member of the St. Louis Calligraphy Guild for around 35 years, and president in the early 2000s. This guild has been SO important to my calligraphic growth over the years!

Twelve years ago I began a daily lettering challenge.  I have continued offering a 4x6" quote on my facebook page since then, writing on paste paper that I create, writing with my favorite EF66 nib.  https://www.facebook.com/kathy.n.orf 

After several years off the board,  I felt like it was time to reconnect and get involved again.  I will be sending email communications to keep members informed on a timely basis, and assist with organizing workshops, meetings and events.

John co-organizes workshops   He enjoys tiny bookbinding projects using paste papers, especially in Asian neutral colors.  

Leslie taught italic through the junior college for some years. An active member since 1981, she energizes us with whatever is new in calligraphy related materials, especially by preparing projects for our semi-annual retreat weekend. Ask her any question. She will answer with details about materials, pens, paper, inks and more.

Our weekly study group brings us together for a variety of shared and individual lettering activities. Guild members and our guests pursue individual projects or group activities.