We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Elena Knapp a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Elena thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
My mission as a calligraphy artist is to keep the art of calligraphy alive and thriving. This includes sharing the beauty and joy of calligraphy with others, promoting its importance in preserving cultural traditions, and inspiring creativity through my unique and expressive artwork. Keep improving my skills, experimenting with different styles, and finding new ways to connect with people through the timeless art of calligraphy.
Elena, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Hi everyone, my name is Elena Knapp and I am a calligrapher /artist. I am an active member of IAMPETH (International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers and Teachers of Handwriting) and of a Calligraphy Guild called Capital City Scribes (Austin Texas). I grew up in Russia and before moving to USA in 2010 lived in Middle East (UAE Dubai) for 14 years. I lived in Austin Texas for 11 years and in July 2021 we moved to gorgeous state of Maine.
I have always been creative and loved the arts. I began to paint sometimes in 2005. I started lettering and Calligraphy in 2010, when I moved to Austin. I take every opportunity to learn from masters. I have been fortunate enough to study with Masters Penmen Michael Sull, Harvest Crittendon, Rosemary Buczek and many other amazingly talented artists and teachers.
Beside my love to calligraphy I do watercolors and mix media and my artwork has been shown throughout various venues of Texas, and been represented in a number of private collections world wide including USA, Canada, Australia, Europe, Russia and MIddle East.
I offer a wide range of calligraphy services for your wedding. These include: Envelope addressing, Menus, Table Numbers, Place Cards, Event signage, Seating Charts.
I offer event services of calligraphy and engraving and all sorts of brand activation events.
I also offer services of artistic calligraphy – Whether a favorite poem, wedding vows, quote, song lyrics, bible verse or anything else, a hand-calligraphed work blends art with meaning, a fond memory, or special moment. In a last 4-5 years i have been doing a lot of Quaker Marriage certificates – one of my most favorite projects to work on.
When I m not doing calligraphy I might be a walking my dog, or doing an embroidery project or making some jewelry or some other crafty artsy projects that inspires me at the moment.
please check my IG @Elena_knapp or site www.elenaknapp.us
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
When we all had to face pandemic and lock down I had to learn on how to communicate only via emails and figure out the whole projects with my clients this way and instead of delivering ready product to my clients I had to figure out new way of delivering – shipping, packing and so on the same time it expanded my clientele from my city to the whole country
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
As a calligrapher artist transitioning to a self-employed career, one important lesson I had to unlearn is the mindset that success is solely determined by traditional metrics such as income or status. The backstory behind this lesson could be rooted in societal expectations or personal beliefs that equate success with external validation.
By unlearning this lesson, I can shift your focus towards defining success on my own terms. Embrace the idea that success as a self-employed calligrapher is also about fulfillment, creative expression, personal growth, and the impact you make through your work.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.elenaknapp.us
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/elena_knapp
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/elenaknapp.us
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elena-prikhodko-knapp
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/elenas-art-and-caligraphy-farmington-2?osq=elena%27s+art+and+calligraphy
- Other: https://www.nibtique.com/elena-knapp https://www.behance.net/elenapknap0db2
Image Credits
pictures are all mine