Meet our teachers
Maria Helena Hoksch
Maria Helena was the EPPC’s very first teacher, bringing her ‘Seastones’ script to London in May 2019. Since then, she has also gone on to become our first online tutor as the world and our pointed pen enthusiasts waded their way through the new way of learning during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Maria took on the challenge of teaching a 3-chapter series of webinars on composition for pointed pen, with feedback from students such as:
I've only watched the 1st episode of Chapter 1 and wow, I'm thrilled with all the great design insight and the wealth of information in the handouts. I can't wait to watch the rest of her series. Thank you for making these available to us!
With an honest and direct approach, Maria also brings a tonne of warmth, passion, knowledge and skill to her students who benefit from over four decades of calligraphic experience.
Along with her busy studio career in New Orleans, USA, Maria Helena has kept on studying calligraphy throughout her life. She is able to claim some of the most renowned calligraphers in the world today as her long time teachers and mentors, some for over a decade – Sheila Walters, Michael Sull, Reggie Ezell amongst others.
Find out more about Maria Helena on her website and Instagram.
Rachel Yallop
Rachel Yallop is one of Britain’s foremost calligraphers and lettering designers. Her unique talent blends the art of expressive calligraphy with graphic design. Her love of letters stems from a lifelong passion for drawing, with her original calligraphic works exploring form, space, tension and freedom of line.
Rachel studied at Ravensbourne and the Central School of Art & Design in London gaining an MA in 1985. She is a Founder Member of Letter Exchange and an Honoured Fellow of the Calligraphy & Lettering Arts Society.
As our first tutor for 2020, in February Rachel taught stduents at Fulham Palace in London her wonderful Copperplate Variations script. With a calm, gentle approach (if you’ve seen her demonstration videos, you’ll know how soothing her voice is!) and a focus on precision, Rachel is able to bring out the best in students: bolstering them to have to courage to take on her nuanced style.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rachel has gracioulsy taken on the challenge of teaching online for intermediate pointed pen calligraphers to “Learn the Secrets of the Swelling Line” - on sale in July 2020.
Heather Victoria Held
Heather brings her students compassion and excellence in equal measure. Never one to provide a critique that may harm a student’s confidence, Heather is a master at her work and a master with her words. As a teacher, Heather is able to find the positives when a student may be seeing something fall flat. As an artist, she showcases delicate penmanship in her scripts, flourishing and illustration style.
Heather has studied extensively with Master Penman Michael Sull and Master Penman Brian Walker. In 2009 she was the recipient of the Spencerian Heritage Award given through Michael Sull at the Spencerian Saga. During 2013-2014 she served as the President of IAMPETH and continues to support IAMPETH on the Board of Directors as an advisor and as an instructor for the conferences.
We welcomed Heather to teach for us in in 2019, and she enthusiastically took up the task of teaching students in both London and Rome her beautiful ‘Festive Flourish’ workshop. We are excited that Heather will once again teach for the EPPC, this time virtually: Italian Hand.
Joy Daniels
“My first introduction to calligraphy was a weekend course at the Bluecoat Chambers in Liverpool in 1979. I thought it was the best thing ever and have been completely hooked ever since. I’m mostly self-taught with a bit of help on the way.
My interest in lettering got me a job as a Poster Writer at a Silkscreen Printers in Northampton in the 1980s, when price tickets, posters and banners were hand written or hand painted. I became self-employed and worked for several companies, including painting banners at the Silverstone race track. I studied part time and gained a City & Guilds in Signwork in London and also qualified as an Adult Education tutor. As computers took over the production of posters, I found small scale pen work writing names on certificates, invitations, envelopes and other calligraphic commissions. Happily I could do this sort of work at home while bringing up two sons.
I’ve been doing pen lettering work ever since, as well as teaching Calligraphy classes. I’ve always enjoyed making things by hand and like to incorporate cardmaking, little books, boxes and special keepsakes into my classes – to encourage students to create beautiful things with their calligraphy.
I became especially interested in pointed pen calligraphy about 20 years ago and taught myself Copperplate from Frederick Marns’ book. I joined the CLAS Copperplate Special Interest Group and their Envelope Exchange and became great friends with Jim Linwood who started the group in 1995. Jim offered me some detailed postal critiques to help improve my writing and I was lucky to be able to take several classes with him. When the group needed a new leader, I put myself forward and ran the whole group for 15 years.
I like to further my study by attending other tutors’ workshops whenever possible. I enjoy learning, and also teaching – and think I always will!”
