Janine Mitchell discovered her interest in the art of refined handwriting through a chance meeting with a calligrapher in front of her art school. Her new hobby grew into a passion every time she looked at the perfect letterforms, and she devoured books on calligraphy and all handwritten words available. When Janine moved from Sydney to Melbourne in 1990, she already had considerable experience in decoration, design, and the use of colour gleaned through various arts and constant poring over professional books. In 1994 she attended nearly every workshop offered by the Calligraphy Society of Victoria (CSV),but a short course in copperplate unleashed a particular passion for sharp-pointed nib pen lettering, and Janine spent many hours studying penmanship in this specialized field. Janine’s sharp-pointed nib pen lettering continued to evolve through correspondence with overseas calligraphers willing to share their knowledge with this energetic and enquiring young Australian. She constantly seeks to expand her understanding and knowledge in calligraphy and related arts through detailed study and continues to attend courses whenever the opportunity presents itself. Exposure to many tutors and styles has ensured a well-rounded skill base in broad-nib and sharp-pointed nib pen styles in traditional, contemporary and experimental approaches.
“…To my eye, some 14 years into my journey of writing, I now see beauty in the individual elements of letter forms. A beautifully executed line with lightness of touch and confident movement brings great delight. I now have a strong interest in European lettering and how it has been influenced by typefaces: calligraphy with that something extra that makes me look twice at the detail; a line executed with confidence which has light and shade and solid form and structure underneath it; sharpness of line and whisper thin hairlines can take my breath away. I see as much beauty in a line or mark that has been executed at full speed as one which has been slowly and carefully touched up by hand to look as if it came down to the page quickly and without thought — but it is the “appearance” of speed together with the strength of form and the very finest of details which is infinitely appealing…”