Completely Present on the Page
AUG 2026
The last few weeks have gone by soooo quickly… What have I been up to?
Our apartment in Melbourne is finally equipped with all the essentials for a comfortable city life, and now that we’ve settled into a nice routine, it’s time to open our suitcases again… say what?!
Our little home has huge north-facing windows, so whenever the sun is out the whole place turns into a wonderful solarium, which is exactly what you want in the middle of a Naarm/Melbourne winter.
My long-format calligraphy course is also going really well. We’ve just completed Week 13, with only three classes left before the end of this first edition. Thirteen weeks surrounded by ten wonderful students, learning to see together while laughing at ourselves and our own very human mistakes.
During these weeks, I’ve felt the gravity of the Latin alphabet combined with the lightness of spending four and a half hours each week without multitasking, being completely present on the page. A counterintuitive and privileged activity in the age of AI and humanitarian horrors, if you ask me.
I’ve now opened a waitlist for the second edition of my course in 2027.
Since relaunching my design website, I’ve consciously decided to slow down, something that doesn’t come naturally to me. During the past four years of travelling while working remotely, I found it easy to entertain myself whenever work was quiet. But I find it much harder to take things easy and become a tourist in my own city.
The last few weeks have been about exercising that underused muscle and looking at my surroundings with fresh eyes because, in a way, they’re new again.
Music has also been a wonderful companion. A few months ago, I discovered Noga Erez, and I can’t stop listening to her music. I’ve also had Charli xcx’s recent Lollapalooza 2026 performance and Rosalía’s LUX live show on repeat. I’m craving a few more dancing sessions, and I’m planning to make that happen very soon.
This month I’m starting a new branding project with Melbourne-based jewellery label Grant Fine, and I’m very excited about it.
On 26 August I’ll be landing in Barcelona, hoping the intense heat and wildfires will have eased by then. We’re currently looking for accommodation for September and October, so if you know anyone who’ll be away during those months, please get in touch!
While I’m there, I’m planning to teach the third edition of my in-person workshop, Script Alphabet: Grow, Branch Out and Flourish!, at Tipo-g Barcelona School of Typography. You can register your interest.
Much love,
Maria xx
S T U D I O 🎨 P R A C T I C E
Green Fairy Font In Use! 💃
A few weeks ago, my type mentor Josema Urós sent me a screenshot that totally made my day! If you know me, you know how much I love dancing so… What a better use of Green Fairy than to represent La Rumba Catalana at Unesco?! I honestly cannot think of a better one.
Under the slogan “Catalan rumba: heritage that unites us, culture that represents us,” the initiative champions this musical genre as a form of collective heritage that is part of the cultural identity of Catalonia and its international sphere.
Do you know who designed it? Get back to me so I can tag them on Instagram. The link below will take it to the TV announcement (34:50 min).
T E A C H I N G ✍️ P R A C T I C E
In-Person Italic Calligraphy Workshop
Next week I’m teaching an introduction to Italic calligraphy presented by The Hume Council. This is the third community workshop I deliver in the past 30 days, the first one being at Craigieburn Library and the second at Broadmeadows Library, both sold out events. I’m really grateful for The Hume Council and Lauren Mason’s support along the years. Come and join me next week!
When:
August 13, from 5 to 7pm
Where:
Tullamarine Library
58 Spring St, Tullamarine VIC 3043
T Y P E 🤓 F A C E S
Calligraphy Student Spotlight: Ale Amaya
This month’s Calligraphy Student Spotlight features Ale Amaya, who is currently attending my long-format calligraphy course, Learning to See, in person at Rotson Studios.
Ale’s work is exceptional, and I believe her thoughtful responses reflect the depth of her experience and the maturity of her approach to calligraphy. I’m incredibly proud of the journey she has taken and the beautiful work she continues to produce.
MM: What technical habit has been the hardest to unlearn as you’ve progressed?
AA: I think the hardest habit to unlearn has been the need to make every letter look exactly like the model. Early on, I was very focused on accuracy and trying to reproduce each script as perfectly as possible, which is an important part of learning the foundations.
As I’ve progressed, I’ve realised that once you understand the rules, it’s equally important to let your own style emerge. That shift from copying to interpreting has probably been the biggest change in my approach. I still value precision and structure, but I’m becoming more comfortable making choices that feel authentic to me while still respecting the underlying principles of each script.
👉 Read the full interview and discover Ale’s beautiful digital and analogue calligraphy work.
When Better Letters Met Barbara Enright
Last week I introduced my students to Brush Pen Calligraphy using a Pentel Touch Sign Brush Pen. We talked about different types of brush pens as well as natural hair brushes, you can find more info about calligraphy supplies here.
Then, we talked about the profession of Showcard & Ticket Writing in Australia, and of course, the name of Barba Enright popped up, so I’m sharing this conversation with all of you in case you missed it the first time.
Barbara is very skilful, funny and a force of nature! This interview was first screened at the Lockdown Letterheads event on 7 June 2020, enjoy!
