February is the second month of the year and also, National Arts Month! We feel good about creating and crafting as it is both an adventure and a misadventure that would teach us so many things. A Filipino creative in Singapore is this month’s featured artist. Let’s all meet, Denise Que!
Featured Artist of the Month for February
2018 has been all good and now, we are onto its second month which means it’s the love month! Love month is also a very special month for all Filipino creatives! Celebrating National Arts Month is a great thing as there are a lot of activities this month.
Now, in order to celebrate National Arts Month in this blog, let me share the featured artist for this month. She’s a Filipino, a leftie (left-handed), and a calligrapher based in Singapore. I’ve been in touch with her through social media, and she’s been a great and kind artist who’s always there to help. To be honest, I’m grateful to Instagram for letting us meet.
Let’s move forward and get to know her more.
Getting to know Denise
Name
Denise Que
What made you start with this craft?
I have always had a passion for arts and crafts, most especially with how I am interested in typography (love for fonts!), so for calligraphy – it was a given for me to instantly explore the world of calligraphy.
How long have you been doing this craft?
I started calligraphy last September 2014 – and loving it ever since!
Why did you pursue it?
I have been exposed to the world of arts and crafts back when I was still a kid –
from summer painting classes to being involved in art projects and decoration committees in high school. I stopped when I entered the corporate world of IT which took up most of my time with responsibilities and deadlines.
I stopped making excuses and dived back in when I participated in a calligraphy workshop for beginners by InkScribbler last 2014 as my birthday/send-off gift to myself before I moved to Singapore for work. Since then, calligraphy, watercolor, and now journaling – have helped me while away time being far from home. Two years down the road, I’m still enjoying this craft and surely, the accessibility of art supplies here in Singapore has helped a lot too.
A big factor for me was receiving positive feedback from loved ones, and most especially clients-turned-friends, on my work which has strongly encouraged me to pursue, grow and do more of this craft. Instagram has also been a venue for my inspiration – seeing artists of all ages learn and develop themselves.
I took a leap of faith and started my own brand, Crafted by DQ – which helped boost my confidence as well to take on projects – from simple calligraphy requests to commissions on wedding invitations & cafe chalkboards, etc. Pursuing this craft, I’m beyond grateful and blessed to meet fellow artists in such a warm and creative community – and I cannot wait to share more!
More about Denise
Did you have struggles in pursuing the craft?
Early on, seeing works of other calligraphers and artists actually intimidate me and I cannot pull them off. Lack of confidence and self-esteem are usually my struggles to pursue calligraphy.
Favorite quote?
Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.
What keeps you doing the craft?
Positive feedback and gleeful expressions from family, friends, and clients are the things that keep me going.
Top 3 favorite tools?
- Pentel Fude Touch Pens
- Silver Brush Triangle Brush
- Winsor & Newton Watercolor Palette
If you are to share your tips and tricks with newbies, what would those be?
Never be afraid to try and explore – don’t be overwhelmed with what you see on online; believe in yourself that you too can do it.
The only guarantee for failure is to stop trying.
John Maxwell
If you were to describe the craft in three words, what will those be?
- Therapeutic
- Expressive
- Diverse
If you want to work with Denise, you can catch up here through:
Don’t forget to pin this!
Are you ready to start a new adventure?
10 Comments
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Great interview! My daughter who is 10 loves to write…. as in hand writing. What is the best way to introduce calligraphy into her life? I can’t find any classes for kids for calligraphy and ma hesitant to rely on a digital course or just You tube. But its looking like I have no choice.
Wow, reading another great and talented artist like you is really inspiring. I’m happy that you were able to meet other like minded artist and featured them in your blog. Your interview with Denise is really great and will surely check some of her crafts, and surely it will wow me. I also love the fact that your questions are relevant and really contrast to your goals as an artist. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. Remember that I’m always your biggest fan!
It is my dream to learn clligraphy, but with a baby and an ugly handwriting, I don’t know if I can pull it off. My goal is to get back on it once I got more time like spending 30mins each day for the craft. Like Denise, I also feel intimidated seeing others who has great talent in it. Wishing I can pull those writing style off soon.
I’ve always wondered if I could do calligraphy. I used to have a very nice penmanship back in high school. It started to get worse in college and totally a shame since I started working and never got to really write.
As a former baseball player, i can definitely relate to her quote about striking out and it’s something that I, too, have adopted into my life. Her work is stunning and I’m glad she’s continued to thrive and develop her passion!
I always love such arts and crafts.Though I am not good with calligraphy,I love to see others work and admire lot.Thanks for sharing this interview.I always enjoy this series of interviews each month which gives an idea of other artists and their work.Artwork of Denise are really attractive!
Wow knowing a left handed calligrapher for the first time. Good to recognise talents right at childhood, helps nurture them better.
I loved her work, they are so charming.Wishing her all the best in this hobby.
I like what she believes in – Never be afraid to try and explore. We are sometimes overwhelmed that we do not try at all. It is better to try and believe in ourseoves that we too can do it.
What an inspiring woman. Her calligraphy is absolutely brilliant! I wish I could do something like that one day 🙂
I have heard a lot about calligraphy time and again. It seems like a great deal. I would love to introduce it to my little cousin for sure.