When I Grow Up: Becoming a Calligrapher

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Hey guys! Today I want to introduce you to Joy Deneen. She's a calligrapher and artist who currently resides in Montréal. She's originally from California and has an interesting story of how she went from a degree in theater to a career as a calligrapher! Let's read about it now.
 

As a child, I wanted to be an author when I grew up.

 How close (or far) is your current career from that dream? While I’m not an author, I write words every day!

What is your official job title? Proprétaire and calligrapher at imaginejoy calligraphie.

Ok, now what does that really mean? I have my own calligraphy business in Montréal, Québec.  I specialize in modern calligraphy and hand lettered details for weddings and special events.  I also offer classes and private lessons for beginners.

credit: Emilie Iggiotti
 

What is a typical day like? Every day varies, given the nature of my custom commissions.  Depending on the day of the week, I could be teaching a calligraphy class, meeting with clients or going to work onsite for an event.  A “typical” day usually begins with administrative tasks in the morning – answering emails, writing contracts and handling accounting.  I typically start on calligraphy work in the afternoon, which usually spills into the evening.


credit: Emilie Iggiotti

How did you end up in this career? In 1999, I moved to Los Angeles to get my bachelor’s degree in theatre at UCLA.  The program was the perfect mix of my interests in writing, design, production and history.  I developed a love for theatrical makeup and special effects and worked as a makeup artist for a few years. However, it was my desire for structure and a steady paycheck that led me to a place where I never envisioned myself – working in commercial real estate finance.  While I have a strong administrative side, compliance checklists and audits could never be construed as creative work.  However, I am grateful for the skills I learned related to accounting, business systems and dealing with demanding clientele. 

It was during my time at the bank that my journey into the world of calligraphy began.  One Christmas, my brother gave me a box of nibs, a bottle of ink and a copy of Modern Mark Making by Lisa Engelbrecht.  I was swept away by the book and soon learned that Lisa was a part of the Society for Calligraphy, a guild in Southern California.  I showed up to a meeting, bright eyed and eager, not knowing a single soul in the room. It was a wonderful surprise to be welcomed with open arms.  I enrolled in classes and workshops and haven’t looked back since! As time passed, I began to take on commissions.  My creative life was flourishing again. 

In 2013, my husband Michael got a job opportunity in Montréal.  Both of us are native Californians and had talked for several years about our desire to one day live in a different state.  At the time of the job offer, we had only been married for six months and knew that it was the perfect time in our lives to set out on a new adventure.  And suddenly, all of the years I spent studying French became very relevant!  The move was also a wonderful opportunity for me to start fresh and establish my calligraphy business as a full-time endeavor.

credit: Emilie Iggiotti
 

What kind of education or training did you complete for this career? My calligraphy education began in the form of small group classes, studying Copperplate, and I went on to take numerous workshops covering a wide array of styles. I am a perpetual student, so I’m always seeking out learning opportunities. I’m very excited to attend the annual IAMPETH conference this summer – a full week of calligraphy classes with the masters!


credit: imaginejoy calligraphie

 What advice would you give to someone who wants a similar career? If you are new to calligraphy, take advantage of all of the resources out there.  Join your local calligraphy guild, take as many in-person classes as possible and start a habit of daily practice.  When it comes to launching your business, be sure to establish clear terms and procedures. In the realm of custom work, booking deposits and contracts are vital!

 Do you have any other career dreams? What do you want to be when you grow up? Going back to my childhood dream, I would still love to write a book.  As a child, I envisioned writing novels but I’ve found that I really love interviewing other artists and learning about their journey and creative processes.

credit: imaginejoy calligraphie
 

 Any last thoughts or encouragement for others trying to decide what they want to do “when they grow up”? One of my favorite quotes is from Picasso:  “All children are born artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” Can you identify an interest or fascination that you’ve had ever since you were a child?  Our passions are often evident at a very young age, but they will usually evolve over time.  I’ve found that it is incredibly helpful to reflect upon your goals in writing, be it through journaling or making lists. 


credit: Emilie Iggiotti

Thank you for sharing your story Joy! I love that Picasso quote so much :) Please visit Joy's website, Imagine Joy, for more information or if you are interested in her services. I wish I'd known about her before our wedding!

Previously on Mrs Robbins Sparkles...

Local Politics Matter: #SaveAP

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I don't write about politics often, but I had to write this one. (Note for regular readers: the next When I Grow Up post will appear next Wednesday.) You see, the state of Oklahoma, the state I love and call home, is in the national news for a bill that was introduced to ban Advanced Placement (AP) US History. I'll go in detail on the ridiculous reasons they gave in a minute, but it's important to note that the notorious OK Representative Sally Kern has jumped on this idea and decided that ALL AP classes should be banned because they are too similar to Common Core, which our state voted to repeal last year. 

I have oh so many issues with what is going on. Let me start by saying I don't think this discussion should be partisan based. But since most of the people arguing in favor of the ban are Republican (more specifically, ultra conservative Republicans) it will probably turn into that. However, let it be known that I am a registered Republican and a Christian. And I am still adamantly against what some of our legislators are trying to do.

Let's look at the argument against AP US History. The bill (follow the link to read it in its entirety) was introduced by  Representative Dan Fisher. He introduced this "emergency" legislation because he believes AP US History fails to teach "American exceptionalism". He argues that AP US History only teaches "what is bad about America".

Created by @bobby_griffith

I'm not sure what Fisher thinks students should be learning. Are we supposed to avoid talking about the Civil War, slavery, Plessy v Ferguson, women's suffrage, the civil rights movement, the internment of American citizens in World War II, and how the government treated Native Americans? I guess we avoid all the messy history and just focus on the good stuff. Maybe the teachers should just show movies like Team America: World Police and call it a day? 

Now please don't assume I don't love this country. I absolutely 100% do. I've teared up at the National Anthem on more than one occasion, ok? I believe our country has done some serious good in this world. I believe that overall we are an amazing nation. But I also know that we have done some messed up things. Every country has. Every person has! You can't have good without bad. And covering up the bad things is NOT what this country is about. You know what they say about history, right?

Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it. - George Santayana

Ok, I think we can all agree that Fisher's reasoning is far from sound. Now let's talk about Sally Kern's proposal. (Full disclosure: that woman may be my least favorite politician of all time.)

Oklahoma repealed Common Core last year, but I don't want to focus on that. I want to talk about the fact that AP classes have been around for years. In fact, they predate Common Core by about 50 years, and now Kern is wanting to lump them all together. Her exact words were "AP courses are similar to Common Core, in that they could be construed as an attempt to impose a national curriculum on American schools." Except they are anything but. Schools are NOT required to offer AP classes. Students are NOT required to take them to graduate. And the government has nothing to do the curriculum. That is chosen by the College Board, a non-profit organization.

Look, our state is not doing too well education wise. Oklahoma consistently ranks well below average on all education measurements. In fact, we are usually in the bottom 10. I don't have the answer on how to change that. But I can guarantee that banning AP classes is not the way to go.

I personally took several AP classes in high school, and I think they are a great way to save some money on tuition. Banning AP classes would only deprive Oklahoma students of that opportunity, not to mention deprive them of the chance of a higher level of education. I know my AP Biology class was one of the few high school classes that really prepared me for college.

If you agree with me and think Oklahoma should NOT ban AP classes, make your voice heard. If you don't live in Oklahoma, you can sign this Change.org petition. If you live in Oklahoma, take a few minutes and call your legislators. They have no way of knowing how you feel unless you actually tell them. Don't know who to call? I didn't either! There's a page on www.okhouse.gov that lets you enter your address and see who represents you at the state and federal level. This is a state issue, so call your state representative and state senator and tell them what you think.

For more info on this craziness, check out some of these articles.

So what do you think? And if you live in Oklahoma, are you planning on calling your legislators? I know it sounds scary, but I promise most of them are nice and really do want to hear from people like you! If you are at all against what these representatives are suggesting, please take a few minutes today and make your voice heard.

*For the record, Fisher is part of the Black Robe Regiment, which is a group of "church leaders and laypeople can network and educate themselves as to our biblical responsibility to stand up for our Lord and Savior and to protect the freedoms and liberties granted to a moral people in the divinely inspired US Constitution", according to their website.  Do with that what you will.