Calligraphy | Betsy Greener

Calligraphy can be both a delight to the eye and an inspiration to the spirit. In our technological age, the appreciation for the art of calligraphy has grown incredibly; it is a fun hobby, a creative outlet and a potential great business. Calligraphy is an art form in which patience and attention to detail are more important than artistic talent - you don’t have to be an artist to be good at calligraphy! In this workshop you will get step by step instructions on how to get started with this art form. Using the flexible pointed dip pen as your instrument, you will learn a simple modern calligraphic script.

About Calligrapher Betsy Greener

I have always loved fine papers and beautiful writing. My mother, Shirley Bradham Faile, had beautiful handwriting. She was one of the most elegant and refined people I have ever known; always a lady – everything from her dress and demeanor to her graceful handwriting reflected this aura.

This notion of ‘elegance, charm and grace’ has always captivated me. My mother modeled these characteristics in the home and beyond; no doubt, this influenced my own demeanor and personality. But she also believed in intentional study to acquire these traits. She made sure I read books such as How to Talk with Practically Anybody about Practically Anything By Barbara Walters, How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie, The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale and Emily Post’s Etiquette by Elizabeth L. Post. I absorbed all of the ideas in these books. I began to realize that many factors come together to form an image of grace and refinement. From conversation skills to general attitude and pride in one’s appearance – all of these factors and many more contribute to how we are perceived by others.

From an early age, I was interested in invitations, cards and letters. I loved stationery and often spent my savings on note cards and paper. Birthday party invitations were a priority for me; I figured out early that the invitation sets the tone for the event. It has always been important to me to have a beautiful ‘wardrobe’ of classic stationery. According to Emily Post’s Etiquette, “The letter you write, whether you realize it or not, is a mirror that reflects your appearance, taste and character.”

I became interested in calligraphy during the planning of my wedding. The wedding ‘wardrobe’ of stationery is a step above the social… I moved beyond traditional handwriting and began to gather samples of ornate calligraphy. I loved the flourishing, the colors, the uniqueness of the different “hands” (the term “font” usually refers to computer-generated letters; when referring to different hand-lettered alphabets, use the term “script” or “hand”). After the wedding, I was determined to learn calligraphy. I took a calligraphy class at Millsaps College and immediately volunteered for my first job – my brother’s wedding. I greatly enjoyed the creative process and began to expand my business, taking on all different kinds of projects. I wrote on mattes for photographers, certificates for organizations, Bibles for churches, created personalized stationery, and of course – weddings: invitation art, envelopes, place cards, seating charts, menus, etc. Eventually my desire for further training and instruction took me to workshops and conventions around the country taught by the leading master penmen in the industry, including taking classes from Chief White House Calligrapher Pat Blair. I began teaching “Calligraphy – The Art of Beautiful Writing” at Millsaps in 2008.

Written correspondence is part of our every day lives. Many of us hand write casual notes to friends, expressions of sympathy to those experiencing loss and thank you notes to friends and family. However, much of today’s correspondence is done electronically through email and texting. My goal in teaching classes and workshops is to sustain the art of beautiful writing and correspondence by cultivating calligraphic artists who are willing to carry on the tradition.