Why I became a lettering artist

My parents are both creators and I grew up surrounded by art. My mother paints beautiful watercolour landscapes and my father carefully restores historic Australian furniture — he always has his hands on some creative project. My grandmother oil-painted botanicals and her walls were adorned with framed displays of colourful flowers and trees. Over time, I came to realise that creative endeavours provide a deep source of fulfilment, expression and peace.

Watercolour scene by Beverley Hearn

My mother also has beautiful handwriting and I aspired to write as nicely as her. Around the time I was nine or ten years old, she acquired a calligraphy dip pen, black ink, blotting paper and felt-tip Staedtler pens, and set about learning Copperplate and Italic. I was allowed to use the felt-tip pens and began practising some wonky left-handed calligraphy. It wasn’t very good.

A4 envelope hand-painted and scribed by my mother, circa 2005

Mum also encouraged me to keep up written communication with my extended family, particularly my father’s parents who were avid letter writers. They lived on a farm and wrote tales about their cow, chickens, seasonal vegetables, and country life. Because Dad was in the Defence Force, we moved every few years and always had stories to tell them too. Many postcards, photographs and long-form letters were shared. I began to understand the power of language and storytelling, and cherished every handwritten letter and vintage-glittered card they wrote me.

The giving and receiving of handwritten communication became synonymous with caring… caring to find out how someone is feeling, what they are doing, where they are going. That care and attention forms a long-lasting, meaningful connection. As a result, I find it difficult to dispose of any card or letter gifted to me. The thought that someone has taken time out of their day to put their thoughts on paper and share them with me feels very special. It’s that special feeling I want other people to feel too — that a design has been created especially for them by me, with deep care and attention.

If you’re in need of a special design from an attentive artist who cares about you and the outcome, contact me for a bespoke design, font or logo.