learn calligraphy with me
There’s something really meditative about calligraphy. For me, focusing on how the ink flows out of the nib onto the paper, treating the nib as the extension of my fingers, seeing how my script changes with each tiny movement - it gets so easy for me to forget the world around me and just relax. That’s the reason why I got into calligraphy in 2016. I was looking for a hobby to de-stress from a toxic work environment and the pointed pen had been, and still is, the perfect escape for me.
If you’re looking for a relaxing hobby, I can teach you Engrosser’s Script one stroke at a time. My method of teaching is very detail oriented with a focus on the foundations. In the process of executing the strokes, I will encourage you, your hands, and your mind to be free of self-doubt and judgment. We will examine together how calligraphy may differ person to person as no two hands are the same. We will explore the different nuances, guiding you to find your own style on the page. You can never do it wrong when you are only being yourself while you are writing with your pen.
ABOUT ME
Hi, I’m Maxie Peña!
On this website, you will find tips and techniques that I’ve learned and have been continuing to learn about pointed pen calligraphy. My goal is to provide you with the level of detail and the structured direction I wish I had back when I was starting out.
I received my Certificate of Proficiency in Engrosser’s Script from IAMPETH in June 2023 and my Certificate of Excellence in June 2024.
I teach workshops both online and in person and have experience leading study groups and teaching in calligraphy guilds. I help students explore who they are on paper with pen and ink. I train your eyes to see room for growth while appreciating areas of beauty in your strokes.
Feel free to reach out to me if you want to schedule a class or a session. I’m based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and would love to meet you either in person or online or both!
Send me an email or let’s connect via Instagram at @maxiecalligraphy.
TESTIMONIALS
“What initially drew me to Maxie’s work was her attention, care, and appreciation for details. Her rock-solid foundation of the basics is paramount to her success as a calligrapher and a teacher. She has the magic power of breaking things down to atomic levels and then building them back up in a manner that’s easy to understand and a joy to follow. In addition to her sharp skills and ever-growing knowledge of the pen, Maxie’s kindness, generosity, and natural ability to lead makes her truly one of a kind and a pleasure to know”
— Nina Tran“Maxie has a very unique way of studying things. I call it the Sherlock way. She analyzes the letters with a scale just the way Sherlock studied crime scenes. In her Zoom sessions, she teaches an art that is very important and yet so underrated i.e. the art of observation. It helps us in understanding tiny details that we usually overlook. I’ve gained a lot of insight about my own work and its shortcomings with the help of her feedback.”
— Ekta Chahar“Maxie is one of the most detail-oriented calligraphers that I’ve ever met, in both her own calligraphy writing/study and in how she creates her workbooks. I really appreciate the attention she brings to details that may be easily glossed over. Maxie teaches in a way that is very methodical and systematic, so that it is easy to follow along, especially if you’re just beginning to study more traditional scripts. She is passionate about calligraphy and I always feel inspired by her work!”
— Annabelle Suu Sisson