December Artist of the Month: @thegirlandtheink
VersaChalk Artist of the Month this December- @thegirlandtheink
Tell us a little about yourself. How did you get started?
Hi! I'm Chris, otherwise known as @thegirlandtheink on Instagram and Facebook, and I'm a freelance calligrapher and chalkboard artist. I've lived in London, UK, all my life.
I got into calligraphy and hand lettering about 6 years ago as a stress-relief hobby. I'd seen all these beautiful pieces on Instagram and on cards, and I thought I'd like to learn how to do it myself - so I started out just copying and practicing, reading and watching tutorials and researching the best equipment for beginners. I would never have expected that hobby to blossom into a business, but here we are! It's incredibly therapeutic, and makes a refreshing contrast to my other job as an educator.
What do you love most about being a lettering artist/calligrapher?
I get a lot of commissions that are personalized gifts between people - poems, posters, notebooks, cards, things for anniversaries, birthdays, commemorations of other life milestones - and I absolutely love that I get to be part of the process. Personal expressions of love and care are a key part of being human, and my hope for the caring side of humanity rises a little bit more every time I get commissioned for things like this. I also do a lot of calligraphy and design for weddings, events, and restaurant/pub signs, which has led me to meet some great people and discover lots of different places in and around London.
What do you like to do in your spare time / Fun facts about yourself!
I'm a teacher 'by day' and run The Girl & The Ink Studios 'by night' - sometimes literally if there are big deadlines on! Other than that, I'm a big fan of the Lord of the Rings, cats, and sushi. Drop by my Instagram and say hi!
Excited to work with Chris? Learn more about her here:
Instagram @thegirlandtheink
Email: Thegirlandtheink@gmail.com