Cora Taylor, Calligraphy Artist
I’m Cora, a calligrapher and lettering specialist based in sunny, Orange County, California.
Thanks for wanting to know a little about my calligraphy journey…
…I’ve been a professional calligrapher for hire in Southern California for many years. But my love for calligraphy very likely began as a schoolgirl when posters of “Model Cursive” were guaranteed to be tacked above every chalkboard of every classroom throughout my grade school years. These calligraphy alphabets only hinted at graceful arcs and looping swirls. But to my wandering mind, no individual letter quite delivered.
My eureka moment came from an upper-grade history text. The images of historical, hand-lettered documents took my breath away!
My Dad explained that this elegant handwriting was a legitimate art form known as "calligraphy". I was delighted to learn that the tools and skills that produced these beautiful, centuries-old pages still existed in the world.
Penmanship classes became my boot camp and I wanted to be a Calligraphy Artist when I grew up. I knew of no other calligraphy writers near me, so from then until my late 20s, I volunteered to inflict my nascent lettering artistry on friends’ party invitations, girl’s camp awards, church programs, love poems, and school posters.
I learned a little something with every job. I began seeking lettering and art courses throughout Orange County and, as the internet matured, the world. My calligraphy hobby evolved into a profession in my late 20s as I began receiving referrals for my services.
The result? I’ve learned several “calligraphy alphabets” and developed my own trademark style of copperplate script — a flourished variation of the classic ‘wedding calligraphy’. You’ll recognize this as the lettering that creative couples and couture event planners strongly prefer over the trends that come and go.
In recent years I’ve also been learning how well-suited beautiful calligraphy is to engraving on glass and metal.
In an era where the art of beautiful writing has garnered immense popularity, what sets me apart is not just the decades I've invested, but the enthusiasm I feel for every stroke and flourish.
After years in the trade, I'm still learning and working on techniques; I sit down at my drafting table nearly every day to either work or drill.
Warm thanks for taking the time to get to know me a bit. Applying my skills to your special project would be an honor!
I invite you to scan my FAQ page and delve into my portfolios to experience firsthand the dedication and artistry that underpins each creation and hopefully, guides your search for a calligrapher for hire.