Today we’d like to introduce you to Missy Briggs.
Missy, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
My story is simple. I was young and loved to draw. As I grew up, art became less of a priority. Nowadays I can see that creating is not a choice, but who I am.
I was fortunate to be encouraged by my parents to create and to follow my passion by studying art in college. I’m grateful for my family’s support through those years. It’s not something that all my artist friends have had, and I never took it for granted.
After my second child was born, I decided to quit my full-time job in online marketing and join the ranks of stay-at-home moms. When asked about my profession on a form, I still write “mom” because it’s so important to me. While at home I began doing commissioned paintings and paper crafting. After a few years, I took up calligraphy and fell back in love.
Modern calligraphy is my obsession. It’s spilled into a job as both a lettering artist and blogger. Every day is completely different and full of possibilities. I might be working on envelopes for a wedding, unique place cards on marble tiles for an event, creating and shooting for the blog, or working on new workbook materials to teach others this beautiful art form!
Whether I’m teaching, making or sharing… it’s always an adventure. And one that I’m proud to share with my own children. They think my home-studio is cool. Sometimes.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I am a lettering artist. I take something that (usually) someone else has written and made it come alive on the page.
I use both the term calligrapher and lettering artist because generally, people assume that what I do is calligraphy. Calligraphy is a discipline often completed with a straight or oblique holder, a nib and ink. Calligraphy is based on rigid sets of rules and following these rules to closely mimic the desired style. Calligraphers do occasionally break free and create their own samples and styles. Lettering artists on the other hand, usually break these rules, only sticking to the main idea of thick and thin lines to compose beautiful and legible letters. Lettering designs can be sized up or down according to project needs, but they are not restricted by their supplies. Lettering can be done with markers, gel pens, paint, brush pens, chalk or paintbrushes. The options are endless.
Art brings together everything that language alone cannot express. But making beautifully illustrated letters combines both art and language. It elevates the meaning of otherwise overused words.
My message is positivity and encouragement for others. Whether I’m designing a personal note or a hand-lettered mural, I hope the positive message lingers and inspires others to follow their passion.
Have things improved for artists? What should cities do to empower artists?
I think artists have a distinct advantage over any other time in history. Social media provides a unique space to create, display and connect. Those online connections have proven to be a source of both inspiration and motivation in my own journey. Connecting with artists working in the same media is so beneficial for exploration, feedback, and growth. There is no limit to the power of this connection.
I feel so much criticism for technology today. There may be an unwanted side effect of privacy issues, oversharing and narcissism, but I prefer to focus on the online connected world as a beautiful and positive niche for us artists to live.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
I post my work to Instagram and share my crafty tips, free lettering worksheets and lettering tips (especially for my fellow lefties) on the blog.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/m2bstudio
Blog: https://www.missybriggs.com
Free intro to brush lettering: https://www.tinyurl.com/learn-calligraphy
Selected works: https://www.etsy.com/shop/m2bstudio
Email: missy@m2bstudioart.com
Contact Info:
- Address: Learn lettering!
Link to free lettering guides: https://www.tinyurl.com/learn-calligraphy - Website: https://www.missybriggs.com
- Email: missy@m2bstudioart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/m2bstudio
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/m2bstudio
Image Credit:
Jessica Lopez
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
