Holly V. Monroe
Calligraphy • Design • Illumination
As a third generation lettering artist aka calligrapher, I’m in the business of making well-loved words come alive in a visually expressive way. They may dance across the page in delight on a greeting card, convey dignity or gratitude on an award, inspire heartfelt emotions on a broadside or bring an old world look to a family tree. Throughout the years, I’ve incorporated detailed decoration and illustration into my designs, which helps to bring greater interest to the words.
A specialty that sets me apart is the ability to create designs on genuine parchment along with the application of 23.75k gold leaf. This has brought a more discriminating client into my studio, allowing me to spend more time on the details. In addition to the calfskin, I create and letter on colorful, abstract paste-paper backgrounds. Lettering styles include pointed pen scripts, italic, gothic, uncial, book hand, modern brush lettering plus hand drawn contemporary and traditional decorated letters, borders and flourishes. A variety of pens, brushes and other tools are used, not to mention the beautiful hand made papers!
Over the last 44 years, I have designed for the greeting card and gift market, lettered on walls while up on scaffolding, designed in-depth family trees, logos and commercial lettering, created high-end hand lettered and illustrated one-off art books along with many other creative and unusual projects. I have taught workshops and given lectures, even on cruises!
The lettering arts bring a great deal of soul satisfaction to me as well as to my clients. ‘Meaningful words’ have a way of touching our hearts, inspiring us to be better people! It has been a fascinating journey for me and I am grateful for both the artistic projects brought my way, as well as the delightful friendships I have made.
My Family Art & Calligraphy History….
It all started in Philadelphia, when my grandfather, Walter E. Mansley (1st generation) decided to become a school teacher. He taught handwriting, short-hand and business classes to high school students plus, he took correspondence courses with Earl Lupfer, then the Principal at the Zanerian College of Penmanship, Columbus, Ohio.
I still have a few of those old letters between Walter and Earl in which they discuss my fathers’ potential as an Engrosser. In addition, my grandfather was a member of IAMPETH (International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers’ and Teachers of Handwriting. As a young girl, I loved looking through his old journals.)
In 1944-45, my father, Clifford D. Mansley, Sr. was in the Navy, but when WWII ended, Dad traveled to the Zanerian College and studied with Lupfer 10 hours a day for 3 months. He became quite good at Engrossers’ Script, Old English and a few other styles. He then went off to the Wharton School at the U of Penn and while commuting to Penn he met my mother. Dad was whistling a classical music piece on the trolley and my mother recognized it. Jean was attending Moore College of Art – so the connection was made – music, art and their faith sealed the deal.
Some details….once married, my mother would often create the layout/illustration for Dad’s calligraphy work. Although my father was an executive for the BSA, through the years he worked as a freelancer for nearby NYC engrossing studios. During my school years in New Jersey, I would peek over Dad’s shoulder while he lettered and illuminated certificates, testimonials and resolutions. I was mesmerized by his skill!
While I was in Jr HS, my talented mother taught me how to draw. In my Senior year, I began practicing Engrossers’ Script and Old English – from the Zanerian Manual. I wasn’t very good, but my Dad pushed me to take a few commissions, encouraging me to start up my own calligraphy business in college. I did just that, lettering fraternity certificates and short quotes for fellow Miami U students. In the late 1970’s I noticed a resurgence of calligraphy, so I began studying with accomplished international calligraphers who broadened my skills. Now I incorporate what I learned from them as well as my mother’s art and my father’s lettering, into my repertoire. Perfect! 1980 was the official start of my calligraphy studio in Cincinnati, Ohio. (I have 2 grown children and 6 grandkids….I’m still looking for that 4th generation). In 2015, I moved to Lake Oswego, Oregon, to assist my parents..
Below is a photo of Clifford D. Mansley, Sr., (2nd generation) at his drawing board, in his eighties. He ‘graduated’, as we affectionately say, in 2021, but his work lives on! See my SHOP for some of his designs.
Here is one of my mother’s illustrations, along with my father’s lettering. If you know who owns it let me know…I would love a better picture.
In addition, my ‘Uncle’ Richard Mansley, now in his 90’s and in assisted living in Philadelphia, always had the most picture perfect handwriting. He lovingly took the time to write multiple family history stories from my Grandmother Mansley’s recollection. Below is a sample.
Mission:
To feed the soul by making meaningful words beautiful.
Soli Deo Gloria!
Select Clients
Abbey Press
Bath & Body Works
DaySpring Cards, Inc.
Design Design Inc.
Dicksons
Divinity Boutique
Freixenet
Home Interiors
Leanin’ Tree
Patrigraphica
The Printery House
Opus One Winery
Universal Designs
Warner Press
Zondervan
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Books & Journals
- Calligraphy Crush Issue 4
- Bound & Lettered Volume 14-Number 4, A Modern Book of Hours, pp 6-13, 49, back cover
- Bound & Lettered Volume 16 – Number 3, Lettering Your Lineage (Family Trees), pp 29-33
- Bound & Lettered Volume 10-Number 2, Lettering on the Walls of a Church, p 30-33
- The Speedball Textbook
24th Edition; Centennial, p. 55
23rd Edition; pp. 42, 85 - Pen Calligraphy Manual
by Fran Strom; p. 101 - The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Calligraphy
by Jane Eldershaw; pp. 53, 133, 139, 143 - Letter Arts Review
Volume 17:4, page 39
Volume 26:4, page 28 - How to Write Your Life Story
Reader’s Digest 2006; Karen Ulrich; p. 156