Meet our new Artist of the Month... Monika Fällman ! @joy_of_creating. Monika started her calligraphy journey in her teens, but realising work opportunities were few in Sweden, chose to follow her other passions of maths and physics into the engineering world. As of 2019, she picked up the dip pen again, infusing her skills to create intricate geometrical inspired pieces. Read on for Monika's story...
What is your background and when did your passion for Calligraphy and learning begin?
My passion for calligraphy started in my early teens, but it was never a career choice for me, mostly because the tradition of calligraphy is not very strong in Sweden and work opportunities are few. Because of my passion for mathematics and physics, I Instead turned to engineering, which sometimes shows up in my calligraphy as geometrical constructions or a steampunk letter now and again. It was not until my kids had grown up to become teens themselves that I restarted my calligraphy journey in 2019. I started posting my work on Instagram a year later and not only did I receive great response, but I also found a whole new community of like-minded people to share my passion with.
Who / Where do you take your inspiration from?
I guess I find inspiration all around me. Nature's harmonious shapes have always inspired me, but I am also drawn to geometric looking shapes. Other people's work often fills me with inspiration and can also trigger new ideas to explore further. My passion for calligraphy and letter art is driven by my desire to constantly explore new ideas. Though historical scripts will always remain the base for all letter construction as well as a great source to learn from, my personal goal is not to strictly imitate history, but I try to follow my own mind and preferences to find new ways to express myself through letters.
What in your opinion is the hardest and the most rewarding parts of working in a creative industry?
Calligraphy and letter art is still a side hustle for me. The almost meditative work of lettering and calligraphy is something that can relieve much of my daily work stress, while at the same time almost being like a second job when I get home from my regular work. The calligraphic community is incredibly friendly and inclusive as well as a great source of positive energy. It's a very welcoming community even for beginners. In the few years I have been on social media, I have not received a single negative comment; it is much more about cheering each other on and constructive advice.
Do you have a favourite style?
I am drawn towards way too many calligraphic and typographic styles. I love to write broad edge scripts and I also love decorating my letters with filigree work, both because it is incredibly fun to do, but also because it feels meditative, almost like doodling. One of my favourite styles is Art Nouveau because of the extremely decorative nature-inspired shapes that can be varied in so many ways.
What are the most exciting projects you have worked on and what are you working on at the moment?
Instagram has opened many doors for me, like becoming a crew member of Calligraphy Masters in 2022, being featured as one of the guest artists for 36 Days of Type in 2022 and being featured in calligraphic magazines and books. I am currently working on an instructional book about cadel capitals.
How does your work relate to your everyday life?
Even if it isn’t my regular work, calligraphy is a big part of my daily life and something that is constantly present in my mind, so much that I often design letters in my sleep. Work and everyday life often collide with my calligraphy work, but my goal is to do at least a little bit of calligraphy or letter artwork every day.
What are your favourite tools to use?
Broad edge nibs in general are something that I can’t do without. Getting my first Parallel pen was a game changer because of the incredible versatility and line control it offers. I prefer to use relatively broad nibs, from 3 mm and up, because it is much easier to have good line control and achieve contrast between thick and thin lines. Fine liners and drawing nibs for filigree work are also something that I use a lot.
What would your advice be to people new to the creative industry and any tips on how to get started?
When you look at calligraphers writing in social media, it always looks so easy, but in reality, those videos are often sped up or cut to fit into the short reel format of social media. The truth is that calligraphy is slow work. You need to take your time and put attention to details. I always start with a rough sketch of the design I want to make before I begin with the real work and I very seldom skip drawing helplines for my letters, simply because they are so vital for the overall result.
If you want to be really good at calligraphy or lettering, you should find time to practise regularly because much of the letter shapes will sit in your muscle memory.
If you, like me, live in a place where the opportunities to meet other people interested in calligraphy and lettering in real life are sparse, a good way to challenge yourself and continue your learning process is to join different calligraphy and lettering challenges on social media. It is actually a perfect way to find motivation to keep going and where the interaction with other people can give you both inspiration and encouragement for your continued journey.
To see more of her beautiful work you can follow her @joy_of_creating and remember to follow @manuscriptpenco on social media where we will be showcasing her work throughout the month.
