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
Engrosser’s Script Certificate of Proficiency, 2023
Illumination & Borders Certificate of Proficiency, 2025

Features

• SFCB From the Bench virtual studio tour, 2025. Watch a replay to find out more about how I work.
• SoulDoodles interviewed me in the fall of 2020.
• Hey Wedding Lady featured my wedding calligraphy work in 2017.

Teaching

CCSF Extension
Calligraphy teacher
2020 - 2023

San Francisco Center
for the Book
Illumination teacher
2022 - present

Friends of Calligraphy
Calligraphy teacher
2023 - present

Letterform Archive
TypeWest Certification
Calligraphy teacher
2025 - present

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

Group Exhibitions

• 2025 - Kalligraphia, Friends of Calligraphy show, SF Public Library
• 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