I’m Dan Mooney and reside on Cape Cod, where I have a studio and practice my passion as a calligrapher, cartographer, and lettering artist.

 

My passion for letter forms began over 40 years ago in high school art class when I picked up my first calligraphy pen, dipped it into a bottle of ink and copied “The Boston Globe” logo in Old English.

 

My inspiration comes from old maps, illuminated manuscripts, masters of old and the challenge of striving for perfection. My art includes gold leaf, watercolor, gouache and various forms of pigments. I enjoy working on natural vellum, Mylar (polyester film) as well as all kinds of commercial and handmade papers. I have spent hours lettering names on holiday ornaments at malls, have been the “hand” of John Adams in a popular movie, writing with a goose quill. I’ve even lettered on an ostrich egg for a client!

 

I am a previous President of Masscribes, Inc. (New England Calligrapher's Guild) and past President of Colonial Calli-Graphics, L.L.C. I have been published in Letter Arts Review, Bound and Lettered and enjoy giving workshops and private lessons. A recent published work entitled, “Your God” has been included in the beautiful book,“ Nice Rendition: Cheryl Wheeler’s Lyrics in Calligraphy.” Recently, I was commissioned to create a fully gilded, custom 1773 map for the New Boston Tea Party Museum in Boston, Massachusetts.

 

My intensive drafting and land surveying background led me to an interesting project re-creating a collection of 15 antique, full-color maps, 24” X 36” in size, with an abundance of 24k gold gilding, showing the evolution of Boston starting in the 1600’s when the “Back Bay” area was just water.

 

Requests for private commissions are always welcome.