My passion for hand lettering has led to a long and varied career with hand crafted words and alphabets.
A traditional training in calligraphy enabled me to work as a professional in my craft, with clients including Dior, Selfridges and the Royal Household. Elected a Fellow of two internationally recognised lettering societies, I taught the subject to degree level and enjoyed facilitating calligraphy events for London galleries/museums such as Royal Academy and British Library.
My formal calligraphy enriches my expressive lettering art which I exhibit. I have taught my techniques widely and many of my pieces are in private collections including US, Belgium and Japan. A former calligrapher in residence at V&A, I have a brass panel in their collection, developed from my studies there.
Now retired from my calligraphy commissions I enjoy more time in my studio concentrating on my expressive art for exhibition.
Solo exhibitions: Highgate, Bruges
Recent group exhibitions :
2023
Mall Galleries
2024
Crafts Council, Islington, London
Gallery 101, London (& touring)
Building Centre , London (Bloomsbury Festival)
2025
Fulham Palace (Craft Week, Lettering Arts Trust)
The essence of my lettering art is the visual expression of words. These words may be from poems, lyrics or prose.
The process itself is a performance, a way of providing the text with an impactful voice that one can see and sometimes even feel. And as the meaning dictates, the letters can appear to whisper, shout or laugh, be almost indecipherable or clear.
The alphabets I design may be calligraphic or invented, inscribed with a quill, pen, brush or an Apple Pencil. I use ink, gouache or acrylic depending on the the effect I wish to evoke. I work with paper structures, gold/ metal leaf and hand etched brass. They all utilise the play of light and shadow within and around the words I design. Thus creating different visual perspectives as the viewer navigates around it.
I hope the work invites dialogue, analysis and reflection. My art is for the mind and eye to engage with.
Mary grows rare varieties of English willow on her East Finchley allotment for her weaving projects.
Lizzie uses plants as an art medium alongside painting in oils. She focuses on the use of natural and waste materials to reduce environmental impact.
