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
Calligraphy Styles
- Engrosser’s Script
- Madarasz Script
- Spencerian Script
- Romans
- Rustics
- Uncial
- Italic
- Textura
- Fraktur
Teaching
CCSF Extension Calligraphy teacher 2020 - 2022
San Francisco Center for the Book Calligraphy teacher 2022 - present
Friends of Calligraphy Calligraphy teacher 2023 - present
Letterform Archive, TypeWest Certificate calligraphy teacher 2025 - present
Stanford Calligraphy workshop teacher 2026 - present
Services
- Calligraphy Artwork
- Diplomas & Certificates
- Artistic Family Trees
- Pet Portraits
- Calligraphic Logos
- Event Calligraphy
- Retail Calligraphy Activations
In the collection of
San Francisco Public Library, Harrison Collection
Features
Letter Arts Review, 2026 Annual Juried Issue, 39:4
SF Center for the Book, From the Bench 2025
Alphabet, Friends of Calligraphy Journal, Spring 2025 Vol. 50, No. 3
Hey Wedding Lady featured my wedding calligraphy work in 2017.
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