Hello everyone! Here we are in February seeking something lighter than the 5 layers of clothing we need here in Maine. My yoga instructor said something to me last week that stuck — how lightness comes with control. And no truer example of that than when you look at the art of calligraphy. To write a name, an invitation, any wording with such lightness that looks effortless; it’s a skill that requires the utmost control. Rachel Anne is an Atlanta-based calligrapher whose work captures that magical light hand in calligraphy. Her lettering looks so modern and airy. Let’s take a look! – Jen

Photo Credit: Four Corners Photography

Rachel shares how she had not dreamed about working in the paper world. “I definitely wasn’t the girl who grew up loving paper or drawing letters, and I didn’t really care for writing that much either, so it’s kind of funny that I would end up where I am today!”

So how did she stumble on calligraphy? “In 2014 I was working as a wedding photographer which was something that I absolutely loved, though I felt like I needed a creative outlet that wasn’t a job and I didn’t have to please anyone with, I could just learn and create what brought me joy personally. I had been eyeing calligraphy for a while (and being in the wedding industry was always in awe of the pretty wedding stationery) and decided to take an online course because it was so pretty and everyone on Instagram made it look so easy,” adds Rachel.

Photo Credit: Four Corners Photography

The story doesn’t end there! At first, she didn’t click with calligraphy. “One week in I gave up because I thought it was just too hard!” says Rachel. “Over the next few months I completely put it out of my mind, but then as a New Year resolution decided to finally stick to it and actually make myself learn (mostly because I didn’t want to be a quitter). For some reason that time around it just clicked and I became obsessed with learning and practicing!” Persistence for the win!

Photo Credit: Tulle & Grace Photography

Photo Credit: Hannah Forsberg

Rachel calls her style “modern, romantic and effortless while still having a polished feel.” And she adds, “I like to gather inspiration from lots of different sources and keep an ever growing style board of images that inspire and speak to me. These images can be anything from fabric textures and surface patterns to color schemes in flower arrangements.”

Photo Credit: Rachel Anne

Thanks for sharing your work Rachel Anne and for the inspiration to keep trying at something you really love to do!