I’ve always said that I entered bookbinding through the side door of calligraphy. Handmade books for me are a vehicle for text. By adding the sense of touch to something that is hand-lettered, the experience becomes more intimate. 

I was a professional calligrapher in the Chicago area for 30 years. While I did have corporate clients (Ralph Lauren, L’Oreal, Neiman Marcus), it was the private clients that were the most enjoyable. My calligraphic work has been exhibited at The Newberry Library in Chicago, The Hardy Gallery in Door County, The Duluth Art Institute and many private galleries. 

Two commissions remain unforgettable for me. The first being a marriage proposal penned by me, enclosed in a handmade book and presented to his future bride (she said yes with tears). The second was a poem written by a grandfather who had recently learned to read and write. This was also done in book form. The ‘book cloth’ cover was material from a favorite shirt of his that his granddaughter loved. It’s been an exciting journey – combining calligraphy and bookbinding.