Today we’d like to introduce you to Eunice Lee.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Eunice. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
When people ask me how I stumbled across lettering, I tell them that I had no idea this lettering thing was going to take me on such a fantastic journey. I’m 32 years old and after graduating college with a business degree, I realized that I needed to search for my creative purpose. With the help of my husband – who allowed me to love myself and become comfortable in my skin – I found myself being passionate about learning, practicing and having a purpose to interact with artists all around the world who share the same desire to create as me.
So, where did this all start?
Four years ago, I decided to take a modern calligraphy workshop. I had always loved writing on envelopes, cupcakes, posters, chalkboards and any surface that would have me – but didn’t know that it was an actual THING. After the workshop, I came home with a pointed pen kit and some crazy determination to make my terrible looking calligraphy into something beautiful. I decided to do a 100-day challenge where I created something every day and posted it on Instagram. It kept me accountable, made me work hard to make something look decent, pushed me to look for inspiration in my daily life and also put me in the habit of setting time aside to be creative every day.
Because I LOVE color, I was then drawn to brush lettering with watercolors which eventually led to watercolor illustration. I continued my daily exercise of creating one thing a day, posting it to Instagram and as orders for gifts, weddings and wall art grew, Electric Eunice Lettering and Designs was born. In 2016, I pursued an opportunity to teach watercolor workshops and have never looked back – sharing with others that they can also pursue their creative passions gives me so much life!
Has it been a smooth road?
Learning pointed pen calligraphy and brush lettering was NOT easy. I always looked for resources that would help me improve on my technique, tools that I could try and the time to practice and create. It became a creative obsession, and I was not about to fight it. One of the biggest struggles was also finding my style. Spending every day figuring out what I liked, working hard to perfect that look and setting myself apart, was one of the most significant growing experiences of this whole journey. Let’s just say there were a lot of late nights and balled up pages of paper in the trash. However, there were also lots of nights where I beamed with pride over what I had created. THIS is what makes all the challenges worth it.
My saving grace in the learning process (which is on-going by the way) was the incredibly warm and giving calligraphy and art community on Instagram. Starting off, I spent so much time browsing the calligraphy hashtag, asking questions to successful artists and building a community around myself that would end up being some fantastic calligra-friends. Because of this wonderful group, I love to answer direct messages that come through with questions about techniques, tools, and advice – this community gives so much, and we also need to give back!
Here’s the ONE thing I want you to remember from the time you’ve spent with me. You CAN do ANYTHING, as long as you COMMIT to it. I wondered for so long what my creative calling was, and at age 29, I had just hit the tip of my art iceberg! Like what even happened during the last couple of years? I’m not entirely sure, but I do know that I definitely committed. I worked tireless nights and days to prepare for my first workshop, to perfect my lettering style, to learn how to paint new things, to teach myself photoshop. It’s never too late to find and pursue what you’re truly passionate about and most importantly: it’s never too late to learn something new. Soon, you’ll find yourself looking back and smiling about all the challenges that made you a better you. I believe in you, sister!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Electric Eunice Lettering and Designs story. Tell us more about the business.
The first thing you need to know is that I’m a really loud laugher and I enjoy building genuine relationships. Getting to know my clients is a big deal for me. I love it when I get my client and my client gets me! I want to see where you’re coming from and what the meaning is behind what you want me to create for you.
I primarily create a custom watercolor illustration, quotes, event lettering, and designs, as well as logos and branding. I also teach watercolor workshops and provide live lettering and illustration for events! I’m probably most known for my brush lettering, cactus and botanical illustration, and my watercolor marbling technique! My background is in marketing, so with event planning and marketing experience, my goal is to capture your vision, offer inspiration and provide an excellent experience for you from beginning to end. I’m also really great at boomerangs and will 100% ask you to take one with me if I meet you in real life.
Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
As I mentioned above, my mentors are the loving artists in the calligraphy and art community on Instagram. I think it’s so important to surround yourself with great people – and the way you do that is engaging with your community. Make time to connect with others through social media and if possible, to meet in real life!
I also think it’s so crucial for you to own who you are and whom you want to be. If you’re in the lettering game and want to become a wedding calligrapher, CALL yourself a wedding calligrapher! People won’t know what you do, or what your goal is unless you tell them. After owning it, you have to show it. Commit to a personal portfolio for you to showcase your work. The proof is in the pudding, people! Show your progress over time and spend the time to create quality work.
While you’re doing that, also look for the opportunities to align yourself with the right people. If that means making time for a meet-up, looking for events in the niche of your choice to attend or simply sending a genuine email to an individual – DO IT, and add a happy face or two like I do.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.electriceunice.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/electriceunice/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/electriceunicedesigns/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/electriceunice
Image Credit:
Christine Flower Photography, Carissa Woo Photography, Janice Owen Photography, Kathy Deninno Photography, Vicki Tieu, Scott Clark Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
