My Own Unique Way • by Lisa Engelbrecht

OK OK — How did I get here? I always have to pinch myself — here I am writing an article about how art saved me? First off — how did I get to be in the company of these beautiful talented brilliant artists? I guess that’s the little shy me talking, the one that says “Who do you think you are?” whenever I try new things that are very scary.

A Dream in the Back of my Head
I guess I started to hear my real voice when I was starting calligraphy lessons. This was something I always loved to do, but in college I tried to take a lettering class and my teacher pretty much discouraged me. I didn’t do calligraphy or art for years.

I was a Navy brat and traveled the world. The downside of this is I was always the new kid — and had zero self-confidence (I have to admit this shy little girl visits me still!). I took an art class in middle school and I LOVED my teacher while based in the Philippines — Mrs. Rudholm. I remember her still. She was kooky and decidedly different from all my other teachers. I wanted to dress like her and do what she did. I didn’t know that this is what an artist looked like.

I kept that dream in the back of my head even after the college debacle; I always loved to do some kind of craft. I remember making feather earrings and roach clips and selling them at the swap meet! Even while waitressing at the Velvet Turtle I painted names on baby shirts and started a gift basket delivery service. Looking back I now know that this was my artist trying to get out. I still didn’t feel like real artist — more about this later!

Off on My Own Path
I still loved lettering and found that the best lettering teachers in the world lived and taught only a couple miles from me! It’s this incredible coincidence, much like those that I’m reading about in the book The Outliers by Malcom Gladwell — I now see this coincidence as fortuitous. Marsha and Larry Brady were my mentors, and actually after a few years asked me to take over their lettering program at Cerritos College. It is pretty incredible how my special art unfolded. Truly it was laziness — I didn’t want to write on a big piece of paper for a project so I asked Marsha if I could write on fabric instead. Well there I went, off on my own path, and when I wrote on fabric I felt like time stood still. I loved it! Then friends asked me to teach them how to write on fabric and then it snowballed and before I knew it I was teaching at the International Lettering Conference.

I have to say that Julia Cameron’s book, The Artist’s Way, was really instrumental to my journey — I now live by the phrase Leap and the Net Will Appear! It took a certain bravery to apply to teach at an international conference — and another lucky break that the faculty selection chair decided to take a chance with me. Faced with this daunting challenge — I thought — I did not want to conform to what other teachers had done. I decided to talk in my class about our creative insecurities and what to do about them. I also decided to do things in my own way — even if people thought I was strange. THIS WAS A BREAKTHROUGH! It was such a lightbulb-overhead moment when I accepted that I was DIFFERENT from others in my field and this was OK!

I didn’t like the rigid rules of calligraphy. Once I learned the process of lettering I realized I hated lining the paper, even hated the precision of having to write on the line. I still loved letters though. My friends still supported me, and I feel colleagues in my field have been pretty accepting of the mixed-media work that I do now. (There are still those I’m sure that cringe when I state that anyone can do calligraphy!)

I decided that when I got the opportunity to write a book it would be for everyone that has tried calligraphy and decided it was too hard, or decided that it would take years to get good at. The result? Modern Mark Making from Rockport Quarry (Soon coming out in paperback retitled Modern Calligraphy and Hand Lettering).

Marching to my own drummer has increased my confidence to try new things. When I am facing a new challenge, I always ask myself, “Why don’t I try this?” or “What if I … ?” And when people tell me I can’t do something I take it as a challenge. I am constantly casting my mind and thoughts about for new ways of doing things. I’m pretty obnoxious at meetings because I am always questioning the status quo and asking, “Why can’t we try it this way?”

A Gift of a Year
Fast forward to this year. I decided to take a sabbatical from teaching. I was busy traveling at least twice a month to places all over the country and Canada to teach classes and I felt I was chasing my tail. I wanted to become a gallery artist — and I wanted time to work. Unfortunately I discovered I had to have major surgery at Christmas and I was laid up for a month or so — but what a gift that was and how prescient of me to take off the year! I had a LOT of time to think about things. It was quite a process and now I do things that make me happy — and only those things. I’ve really learned to say no to trivial things and be open to where my art is leading me. I can’t believe how the universe opens up to you when you are on the right path. I want to combine letters and paint and collage and the words that I want people to hear about the things I am passionate about.

I am starting a graffiti diversion program in my town — teaching young offenders the wonders of lettering and positive possibilities for these artists. I am also writing another book on really easy watercolor flowers and calligraphy. More importantly I am exploring new avenues in my work, becoming the real artist I know I am. Most importantly of all, I am doing it in my own unique way — damn the torpedoes (and conventional wisdoms)!

To learn more about Lisa Engelbrecht, see her Web site at lisaengelbrecht.com, her blog at lisaletter.blogspot.com, or her pictures at flickr.com/photos/25736261@N00. She can be reached at lengelbrecht@earthlink.net.

Comments

[linda]

Wow, your lettering is fantastic! I love how you took this traditional artform and turned it into your own love on fabric...that is very inspiring...thanks for sharing!

[Tracie Lyn Huskamp]

WAY TO GO LISA!!! You have and always be one of my heroes!!!!

XOXOXOX!

Tracie

[Crystal Neubauer]

Awesome story Lisa ~ Damn the torpedoes and conventional wisdom indeed!

[Susan Houseman]

What can I say Lisa, other than you are my hero! I'm so glad I had the chance to take your class before you went on sabbatical. I've had a hard time fitting into traditional calligraphy myself, and found it very comforting to hear you've had the same struggles. I wish you continue health and happiness, and success as you explore new avenues. Here's to being a passionate artist!!!

[suzi blu]

The 'Velvet Turtle', what a great name! It's something many women artists have in common. Alone with just an inkling of wanting more, a different sort of life, one with color and fantasy, and how much that has to deal with self esteem and allowing yourself to be as big as you can possibly be. Your letters are elegant and brighten up the world. What an excellent idea to teach graffiti artists to love their letters more. You are fabulous.

[Ellen]

I am so glad you marched to your own tune and carved a path by listening to your inner artist! I am reading "The Artist's Way". I am finding it frees our minds by releasing the would, could and shoulds. Thanks for sharing your story~