About Monica Rachel Gordon

I have been a professional calligrapher since 2002 although I had been practicing calligraphy in one for or another since I was a child. My company name was previously ”A Bit of Ink” until ~ as it does so well ~ life took me on some winding roads over the years, where marketing my work took a backseat to my most important job which was raising my three little ones. 

My company name changed over the years (as did my last name!) Now that my kids are not so little anymore, I am finally able to start over again with more focus, so I recently re-launched as Monica Rachel Calligraphy. I am proudly humble (I know that is an oxymoron! ;) but I say this because I have never pursued or enjoyed self promotion online and frankly have relied on word of mouth and an excellent professional reputation to present work opportunities to me. Recently I finally realized I need to get with the times, so I will be working on creating a "presence" on social media, and will soon begin regularly posting my work and information on workshops. I wanted to mention this to explain why my accounts have barely any posts! It is because for better or worse, I avoided it as long as I could. Alas, now I will begin. Better late than never. :)

As a calligrapher I have worked with countless clients over the years and I’ve happily penned thousands (hundreds of thousands!) of lines of calligraphy for everything from wedding stationery, poems, labels for liquor bottles to envelopes, place cards and everything in between that can be expressed in beautiful letters. Calligraphy has not only been my profession, but also has been a life-long love affair for me. 

I have been an artistic person since I can remember and grew up with creative parents. My amazing Mom Cookie, was always making beautiful knitted masterpieces (I still don't understand how she does it!) and my late father Ralph, was a gifted artist and was the long time art director for PGA Magazine (Professional Golfers Association) during the eighties and early nineties. I would watch him create hand drawn illustrations and lettering for logos and ads. I was mesmerized. From the moment I first picked up my Dad's calligraphy pens to try it after he proudly showed me his skills then said “Now you try it!”. I was hooked ever since.

As I mentioned, I am a Mom to three very talented grown children who have shown me that the artistic gene is a powerful one! They amaze me with what they create with digital art! I'm also a wife to my handsome best friend Brett, who proved to me (even when I had doubts many years ago) that true love is worth searching for! We found each other a bit later in life, which makes us cherish our blended family even more. "Life is a fountain of surprises" as my late father used to say.

On a side note, I am also a passionate student and creator of botanical perfumery, and will soon be launching my own line called Wildflower Perfume. It is a craft I discovered to be endlessly fascinating and creative, and just like calligraphy, deliciously challenging!

My botanical perfumes will be available on www.wildflowerperfume.com (which is still in the works, but coming soon!)

My approach to working with clients and students is simple. I will treat you the same way I would want to be treated; with respect, kindness and friendliness. Planning a project or a big event like a wedding or a marketing campaign can be quite an undertaking. I have many years of experience working with tight deadlines and detail oriented clientele such as brides and event planners. Quality, adaptability and dependability are of key importance and I promise that working with me will be a sigh of relief.

Lastly, I am very passionate about teaching! As a member and instructor for I.A.M.P.E.T.H., in 2013 (International Association of Master Penman, Engrossers and Teachers of Handwriting), I have closely studied both one-on-one and in various workshops with expert calligraphers from around the world and acclaimed Master Penmen. To help keep this beautiful art alive, I have enjoyed teaching what I have learned to hundreds of people over the years, including one-on-one lessons, small private groups, workshops at various retail and art stores in South Florida. I have taught workshops for the South Florida Calligraphy Guild and at adult education schools such as Fairchild Tropical Garden in Miami, Florida. Starting in January of 2024, I will be the resident Calligraphy Instructor at the historic Bonnet House in Fort Lauderdale.

If I can be of service as your calligrapher or instructor, I look forward to hearing from you!

Thank you so much for your interest in my work.

Cheers,

~  Monica Rachel Gordon