Today we’d like to introduce you to Kirsten Wong.
Kirsten, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
By no means would I have ever thought that I would be a calligrapher who owned a design business. As a little girl, I often found myself cozying up in my bedroom sketching elaborate dresses for my Barbie dolls, drawing portraits of my Chihuahua with oil pastels and lettering vocabulary words as I did my homework to make it more interesting. I was always creative and artsy, but the one thing I consistently enjoyed experimenting with was my handwriting.
I took my creativity into teaching and loved being a kindergarten teacher for five years. It wasn’t until I had my beautiful baby boy that I knew I wanted a career that I was passionate about that would allow me to enjoy as much time as I could to be with him and watch him grow. Around January 2017, I randomly found calligraphy and lettering videos on Instagram whenever I was up in the middle of the night with my son (which happened A LOT!) I was intrigued by all of the different lettering styles and was motivated to practice and learn how to do it myself as a creative outlet. I started my own Instagram account and posted daily calligraphy prints and illustrations which began an influx of inquiries for weddings, styled shoots, custom projects and a partnership with The Knot!
With God’s amazing grace and the support of my wonderful husband (he’s THE best) and now two kiddos (they’re awesome too), I knew I wanted to fulfill my dream of turning a hobby into a full-time creative business which led to the start of Cottonwood Print.
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?
Cottonwood Print is a calligraphy and design business that creates custom signs and stationery for weddings, events, businesses and home décor. The calligraphy and lettering art I create is meant to inspire, celebrate and preserve all of life’s special moments. I believe there is an invaluable authenticity to art that is handwritten and handmade, so all of my calligraphy work is done freehand on any surface imaginable.
A majority of my calligraphy work are custom projects that are requested by clients, so a lot of my design inspiration to create is derived by listening to their stories and what is meaningful to them. From a bride and groom’s wedding vows to baby shower invitations for a mama-to-be or an open sign for a new small business to a sign to be hung in a newlyweds first home, my calligraphy work is meant to provide an experience that is significant, timeless and one-of-a-kind.
Artists face many challenges, but what do you feel is the most pressing among them?
As an artist within the calligraphy and lettering realm, I’d say that one of the biggest challenges I have noticed is being credited for our work. There have been many times among the midst of social media where calligraphers and lettering artists have shared posts of their own original work showcased on someone else’s page or profile without any tags or credit given to them. Not only has it been easily done over the internet, but even larger extremely well-known businesses and franchises have produced products for customers to purchase that are almost too similar or an exact copy of an artist’s work even though they did not give permissions for their work to be reproduced and sold. Not cool, right?!
All in all, I think it is imperative for an artists’ time and worth to be valued. There is no replacement for an artists’ talent and creativity. A little education and consideration to give credit where credit is due would help tremendously!
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?
Cottonwood Print has recently been featured on 7 Centerpieces, Style Verify Magazine, Versachalk, Bridal Gush and The Coordinated Bride with upcoming publications in San Antonio Weddings Magazine.
Social media is the main platform I utilize to share all of our calligraphy and lettering design projects. Our Instagram and Facebook page highlight the behind the scenes and recent projects before they are sent off to our wonderful clients! I am also planning to participate in quite a few artisan markets, venue open houses and local craft shows this year so visiting our social media pages and website are the best ways to stay updated to support and view my work!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cottonwoodprint.com
- Phone: 832-776-6050
- Email: cottonwoodprint@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cottonwoodprint/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cottonwoodprint/
Image Credit:
Ashley Medrano Photography
R and M Bledsoe Photography
J. Sparks Photography
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