Creating artistic pieces that use traditional techniques but with modern sensibilities.

Hi 👋 I'm Katie Leavens, an illustrator & calligrapher in San Francisco with a BS in Design. My goal is to always be learning new things and new skills that can be used in conjunction with my current skill set. My art explores the relationships between tradition & modernism through techniques, mediums, & subject matters. My pieces have a modern look without losing the warmth of more traditional work. When a project is best suited to the digital medium, I strive to keep a custom handmade aesthetic.

When I’m not working: I’m trying a new cafe, cocooned in a blanket on the couch reading, or reorganizing my apartment. No matter what I’m doing or the weather I always have a warm drink, sketchbook, sunglasses & an extra sweater.

The best feeling in the world is when you have a new project that just makes you want to stop everything and just start it! So let’s work together and make something beautiful and unique.

Contact me

Have an idea for a project or custom order?
Email me: hello@kleavens.com

Website Colophon

Experience

Friends of Calligraphy
councilmember
2019 - present

IAMPETH
Member: 2017 - present
Engrosser's Script Proficiency Certificate 2023

Teaching

Letterform Archive
Calligraphy teacher
2023

Friends of Calligraphy
Calligraphy teacher
2023

San Francisco Center for the Book
Calligraphy teacher
2022

CCSF Extension
Calligraphy teacher
2020 - 2023

Services

• Calligraphy Artwork
• Diplomas & Certificates
• Artistic Family Trees
• Pet Portraits
• Calligraphic Logos
• Event Calligraphy
• Retail Calligraphy Activations

Calligraphy Styles

• Engrosser's Script
• Madarasz Script
• Spencerian Script
• Romans
• Rustics
• Uncial
• Italic
• Textura
• Fraktur

Features

• SoulDoodles interviewed me in the fall of 2020. Read the interview to find out more about how I work.
• Hey Wedding Lady featured my wedding calligraphy work in 2017.

Group Exhibitions

• 2022 - Kalligraphia, Friends of Calligraphy show, SF Public Library
• 2018 - Calligraphies in Conversation, Oakland Asian Cultural Center
• 2018 - Kalligraphia, Friends of Calligraphy show, SF Public Library