Today we’d like to introduce you to Whitney Forbes
Hi Whitney, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve always been an artistic individual. I come from a family of creatives. But, About a decade ago , I started my calligraphy journey purely out of my desire to try a new niche . Slowly, I started to learn the basics of form, foundations and materials. My love grew immensely for the lost art, and I realized I gravitated towards classical scripts. Over the next few years calligraphy led to expanding my skill set as it was needed for my clientele and the growing interest in my services. This led to painting, learning to hand engrave items, hot foil by hand, and developing the skills needed to design paper goods. I also eventually started teaching students from around the world as well, to paint fine art paintings on champagne bottles and other unique surfaces.
I led the first developed class, worldwide, to teach this burgeoning and unique art form. As time has gone on, the business went from in studio work only to providing these amazing services LIVE at private and corporate events, showcasing the skill for guests in real time and providing personalization, it has become as much an activation for personalization as it is a performance. Since live events have grown in popularity I’ve had the privilege to work with celebrity clientele, luxury brands such as Giorgio Armani, Sezane and Jo Malone and others, and had the experience of engraving at events such as the Candlelight Concert featuring Elton John at Segerstrom performing arts center.
As my time as a studio & live event artist has grown I’m also excited to announce that as of 2025, The Haute Press will soon be offering custom letterpress and embossed paper goods and stationery. The private studio boasts 2 stationery presses – one of which is a restored working Golding Pearl letterpress from 1900, restored and refinished by The Letterpress Museum in Carson, Ca. We have, of course, named this 125 year old beauty, “Pearl” and know she’ll be an amazing asset and workhorse to produce gorgeous wedding invites and paper and branding goods for so many future clients and events. The goal this year is to create stunning, unique, avant garde, custom works of art in stationery that beautifully pair the romanticism of painting and drawing, bold colors and design concepts- with the historic timelessness of letterpress, embossing & calligraphy to give clients stunning showpieces in paper and canvas that are good enough to frame.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The growth hadn’t been linear. I’m not sure it is for any artist or business owner in general. I’m a mother as well of two boys, and took time after each child was born to focus on them in the earliest years. I don’t regret taking breaks from work professionally to do this, now they’re old enough to have a hand in watching me work, drawing alongside me, learning skills creatively – I’m proud to say both have started developing nice cursive haha. I’m fortunate to have a partner that has always supported me and backed me up. I think doubt in yourself as you run and grow your own business is natural and it is such a gift to be encouraged by family and friends. Some days are harder than others but the only way you find success, is to push through those negative feelings when they arise, ( we’re all only human after all) knowing that some days will be great. Feeling are temporary. You only really lose when you give up. You have to keep putting one step in front of the other.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
The work is entirely hands one from the first step to the last. I pride myself on thinking outside of the box but being practical. Digitally we have quite a few programs that help nowadays to expedite processes creatively, but I do my best work if I map it out in pencil first. Technology comes in later. Everything I do starts with a pencil and paper. While I’ve specialized in smaller projects and grown into larger live event activations for events and companies, my ultimate desire has always been to provide something tangible, linked to my clients heart. Personalization using calligraphy and engraving, custom paintings, and now stationery design all have a part in providing a gift or memory or heirloom for the client seeking to add the special touch that they might not be able to find out of a box or in a store. Recently in the past couple years, I’ve discovered how to successfully paint on wedding gowns, adding gorgeous custom artwork to the fabrics, even adding hidden initials as the “something blue” on the interior of the gown. I provide an experience not just a product. I’m happy to gift my clients original drawings and custom art that come along side the process of invitation design. I think having a framable piece later, … long after invitations are mailed, help to preserve the artistic process and memory for clients. It’s joy to see the work showcased. It solidifies the importance of the backstory and physical work that goes into creating these paintings and stationery suites. I love a challenge and and happy to say I have had some really beautiful souls that have trusted me with their projects.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I don’t believe in luck. I truly believe we create our own success by the decisions we make. Time and unforeseen occurrence affect us all. Sometimes you’re just in the right place at the right time. And most of all… you can’t quit. Quitting assures failure. But even when an opportunity doesn’t pan out the way you intended I’ve noticed, it can open another door. Maybe not what you expected but it’s important to be open to possibilities and frankly, work hard at what you love.
Pricing:
- Pricing is being developed for stationery design and will be announced when commissions are opened officially later this year
- Live event pricing for private and corporate work starts at $950 and up. For larger events the pricing starts at $1,200
- Minimum pricing for calligraphy work is $50 per piece or project depending on complexity and availability
- Engraving pricing starts at $35 but is largely dependent on the project and availability of time
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thehautepress.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehautepress
Image Credits
Zoe Isabel photography
John Schnack photography
