Patricia Lovett

Calligrapher

A modern scribe

Patricia co-founded the Heritage Crafts Association
She has written and designed several books
She was awarded an MBE in 2013

Patricia Lovett specialises in calligraphy, illumination and design. In 2013, Patricia was awarded the title of Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her services to calligraphy and the protection of heritage crafts in the United Kingdom. Patricia takes the traditional craft skills of manuscript book production and produces modern artworks, which render letters and words beautiful. After gaining a BSc in Geography and pursuing a career as a teacher at a large London comprehensive secondary school, Patricia was inspired by calligraphy and illumination when studying manuscripts in the British Library. She then studied for a Higher Diploma in Art and Design at Surrey University and so began a journey to become a professional scribe and illuminator. Today, Patricia is a Honoured Fellow of the Calligraphy and Lettering Arts Society and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. She has written and designed a number of books, sharing her passion for the historical art.

Interview

Why did you choose to learn calligraphy?: Originally seeing manuscripts in the British Library sparked my interest in calligraphy. I also wanted to learn lettering for hand drawn maps which I was doing for books, so I decided to enrol on a college course and became hooked on gold and colour from day one.
Do you teach your craft?: Yes, I run intensive day workshops for various organisations such as the British Library, the Fitzwilliam Museum, the Parker Library, and I teach and lecture all over the world. I am one of the very few people in the United Kingdom teaching widely the traditional craft skills of manuscript illumination and working on animal skin - vellum.
What is a memorable moment in your professional life?: Putting together the collection of contemporary calligraphy for the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge and co-curating the Calligraphy Today exhibition there. The exhibition received such a good response that it was extended twice.
What would you suggest to an aspiring calligrapher?: Get all the training that you can, practise, practise, practise, take every opportunity and enjoy what you do. I produce a monthly online newsletter and have an informative website with a blog, I also post Calligraphy Clips on YouTube so that people can learn the skills.

Patricia Lovett is a master artisan: she began her career in 1987 and she started teaching in 1990