John-stevens zenler
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NPO法人J−LAF（ジェイラフ）カリグラフィーを軸とした日本における文字芸術のイベントを開催します。
Interview with JOHN STEVENS 1
Q: When did you begin calligraphy, and what inspired you to do so?
I started calligraphy in 1979-1980. Letterforms have always held fascination for me in some way. When I was young, I was interested in music, art and "cool" letterforms were everywhere, like the album art of my favorite musicians, for example. After teaching myself guitar and working in several rock n' roll bands, (a common thing to do back then) I got tired of the nightlife and bars and decided to pursue the other side of my interest: visual art. (I was playing in bars at 15-16 years old in evenings and not able to get up for school the next day)
My plan was to go to art school while working in the daytime. This plan got diverted when my father met a "sign writer" who had a sign making business. I interviewed with him and went to work as an apprentice for a year or so. I was a very quick study (with a great teacher, Anthony Perner) and I generally liked making signs, making letters and designing them, but I wanted something more.
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About John Stevens
JOHN STEVENS is a well-known and accomplished letter artist on the international scene. He is renowned for his versatility and excellence as a calligrapher and letter artist, resulting in a wide range of exemplary work. Beginning as a sign painter in New York, his insatiable inquiry into letters and their design led him into type, calligraphy, and lettering. He learned to use various pens, brushes, and later the computer. By his mid-twenties, he worked for nationally known clients in publishing, packaging, advertising, television, and film (Lucasfilm, Life, Time, Newsweek. Tiffany’s, New York Public Library, to name a few.)
He has received numerous invitations to teach at many national and international letter arts conferences throughout the United States, Europe, Japan, and South America. For three decades he has been a featured instructor at the renowned Cheerio Calligraphy Retreats in North Carolina.
Recently, has begun to teach “live” classes online.
John’s original calligraphic artworks are included in the collections of the San Francisco Public Libra
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