The Life of Letters

In this episode, Laura sits down with Carl Rohrs, the editor of the 26th edition of the Speedball Textbook, for an exploration into the history of calligraphy, the evolution of one of the most iconic books in the craft, and the lettering styles and artists who’ve shaped it. If you’ve ever picked up a Speedball pen and wondered about the story behind it, this one’s for you. 

Resources

Here's a folder of images to accompany the episode.

Speedball Art - https://www.speedballart.com 

The Life of Letters Podcast - https://www.lauraletterslife.com/the-life-of-letters-podcast 

Rick Griffin's Artwork - https://www.rickgriffindesigns.com/ 

Sheila Waters' Calligraphy - https://www.calligraphersguild.org/sheila-waters 

If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it - it really helps others discover the podcast - thank you!

☕️ To support the podcast with a small donation, buy us a coffee here.

Connect with Laura on Instagram @thelifeofletterspodcast to continue the conversation, share your own lettering journey or suggest topics you'd love to hear about in future episodes.

✍️ To discover more about Laura's calligraphy workshops and more, visit lauralletterslife.com or say hi on Instagram @lauraletterslife. ✨ Download Laura's free Calming Calligraphy workbook.

Our podcast producer, Heidi Cullip, introduces the next series of The Life of Letters with host Laura Edralin. They explore this series' theme, and discuss the fascinating world of books and letters celebrated with interviews authors, artists, and experts in the upcoming season! Find out about the line up, get excited about the conversations and a sneak peek of what's in store for series 6.

If you’re enjoying The Life of Letters Podcast, it would mean the world if you could follow or subscribe, leave a quick review, or share the episode with a friend. Every little action helps more people discover the calming, creative world of calligraphy and lettering.️

Connect with Laura on Instagram @thelifeofletterspodcast to continue the conversation, share your own lettering journey or suggest topics you'd love to hear about in future episodes.

To discover more about Laura's calligraphy workshops and more, visit lauralletterslife.com or say hi on Instagram @lauraletterslife.

✍️ ✨ Want to bring a little calm and creativity into your own life? Download Laura's free Calming Calligraphy workbook.

In this conversation, Kalo, a calligraphy instructor and tattoo artist, shares her journey from being influenced by her father's calligraphy to establishing her own business, Kalo Make Art. She discusses the evolution of her career, the challenges faced during political unrest and the pandemic, and her unique approach to tattooing that combines her calligraphy skills. Kalo also shares personal stories behind her tattoos, the process of designing meaningful tattoos for clients, and her involvement with the International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers and Teachers of Handwriting (IAMPETH). The conversation highlights the beauty of handwriting, the significance of tattoos, and the importance of community in the art world.

Here's a folder of images to accompany the episode, courtesy of Kalo.

Find out more:

Kalo's Website

Kalo's Instagram - Calligraphy

Kalo's Instagram - Tattoo

IAMPETH - International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers and Teachers of Handwriting

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If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it - it really helps others discover the podcast - thank you!

☕️ To support the podcast with a small donation, buy us a coffee here.

Connect with Laura on Instagram @thelifeofletterspodcast to continue the conversation, share your own lettering journey or suggest topics you'd love to hear about in future episodes.

✍️ To discover more about Laura's calligraphy workshops and more, visit lauralletterslife.com or say hi on Instagram @lauraletterslife. ✨ Download Laura's free Calming Calligraphy workbook.

Chapters

(00:01:14) - Kalo's Journey into Calligraphy
(00:04:03) - Transition to Teaching and Community Building
(00:07:04) - The Evolution of Tattooing in Kalo's Work
(00:09:34) - Personal Stories Behind Tattoos
(00:12:15) - The Tattoo Process Explained
(00:14:54) - Techniques and Challenges in Tattooing
(00:19:37) - Dream Projects: Incorporating Manuscript Styles into Tattoos
(00:21:15) - Personal Tattoos: Meaning and Significance
(00:23:34) - IAMPETH: The Journey into Calligraphy and Community
(00:29:46) - Memorable Projects: Commission for the Royal Family
(00:32:59) - Kalo's Favourite Letter: Symbolism and Personal Connection

In this engaging conversation, Laura Edralin speaks with Richard Manning, founder of wordsecrets.org, about the fascinating world of etymology and the evolution of language. They explore the origins of words, the influence of culture on language, and how the digital age is transforming communication. Richard shares insights from his background in linguistics and his experiences in the civil service, highlighting the interconnectedness of languages and the importance of preserving linguistic diversity. The discussion also touches on personal reflections about favorite letters and words, emphasizing the ongoing journey of learning in the realm of language.

To find out more about Richard visit his website and subscribe to receive his blog 'Secrets of the Words You Know'. 

Richard mentions:

- Dr George Gazis's epsiode from series four, listen here

- Danny Bate's book 'Why Q Needs U'

If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it - it really helps others discover the podcast - thank you!

☕️ To support the podcast with a small donation, buy us a coffee here.

Connect with Laura on Instagram @thelifeofletterspodcast to continue the conversation, share your own lettering journey or suggest topics you'd love to hear about in future episodes.

✍️ To discover more about Laura's calligraphy workshops and more, visit lauralletterslife.com or say hi on Instagram @lauraletterslife. ✨ Download Laura's free Calming Calligraphy workbook.

Chapters

(00:01:57) - Defining etymology and its significance
(00:03:26) - Richard Manning's journey into linguistics
(00:05:25) - The influence of Friesland dialect on English
(00:06:45) - The impact of Vikings and Scandinavian languages
(00:08:23) - The Indo-European language family and its origins
(00:10:54) - How languages evolve before written records
(00:13:44) - The diversity of world languages and dialects
(00:15:31) - Language contact and borrowing in the Philippines
(00:16:41) - Language prestige and its effect on vocabulary
(00:17:43) - English as a global lingua franca
(00:20:14) - Common spelling patterns and anomalies in English
(00:22:12) - The Great Vowel Shift and its historical significance
(00:26:23) - The future of language in the digital age
(00:29:37) - Language preservation and the impact of globalisation
(00:30:49) - Favourite letter and word of Richard Manning

In this conversation, Laura Edralin interviews Chris Campe, a designer and writer based in Hamburg, Germany, who specialises in lettering and visual communication. They discuss Chris's journey into the world of lettering, the significance of letters as a medium, and the intersection of content and form in her work. Chris shares her experiences with analog and digital tools, her involvement in political expression through protest signs, and her publications on lettering. The conversation also touches on her teaching methods and the importance of finding one's unique voice in art.

Find out more about Chris - visit her Website, connect on Instagram.

Watch visual clips from this epside on The Life of Letters's Youtube channel.

If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it - it really helps others discover the podcast - thank you!

☕️ To support the podcast with a small donation, buy us a coffee here.

Connect with Laura on Instagram @thelifeofletterspodcast to continue the conversation, share your own lettering journey or suggest topics you'd love to hear about in future episodes.

✍️ To discover more about Laura's calligraphy workshops and more, visit lauralletterslife.com or say hi on Instagram @lauraletterslife. ✨ Download Laura's free Calming Calligraphy workbook.

Chapters

(00:11:04) - The Intersection of Text and Image
(00:12:16) - Analog vs Digital: The Creative Process
(00:19:10) - Protest Signs and Political Expression
(00:25:57) - Overcoming Self-Doubt in Creative Work
(00:27:05) - The Journey of Writing Books
(00:33:36) - The Evolution of Chris's Books
(00:37:52) - The Art of Lettering and Alphabets
(00:45:47) - Teaching Lettering: Structure and Freedom