16/05/2017
Heart to Heart Marathon (13.05.2017)
Long Post Alert!!!
Shanifati Designs was humbled to be part of the official calligraphers' team for the Heart to Heart Foundation Heart Run.
Lemme take a chance to introduce myself (the guy holding the 'CALLIGRAPHY' placard). My name is Muli, and my calligraphy story starts way back in Primary School. I was fascinated by the writings on the cover page of New York times which were normally done using the Old English calligraphy fonts. I could draw the letters using pencils and share with friends in my class. HIgh school came and I picked Art and Design as an optional subject. to be honest, am very poor in drawing (used to score less than 30%). There's hope in all who trust in the Lord though. It is while in Form 2 third term when we were introduced to the topic of lettering when I I started shinning. This is when I got to know that there are special pens that can do the beautiful writing called calligraphy. One problem though, Muli is a left handed and these pens are mostly designed for right-handed people. This could not stop me as I started practising writing with my right hand. I was very fascinated with what I could do with calligraphy till I started a small business of decorating envelopes for people writing mails to sweethearts in different girls' schools. (If you studied in Quabbz, St. Gee, Kenya High, Naivasha Girls, Nembe Girls...etc - most probably you interacted with my calligraphy work). This could earn me enough money to cater for buying a loaf of bread everyday in High School (Ama namna gani). I later on dropped Art and Design as drawing was not my thing, but continued to do calligraphy as a small business till I finished high school.
My pen got lost, I didn't know how to earn money from calligraphy at home and this precious talent died.
Fast forward to third year in campus. I was walking in River Road, Nairobi sourcing for materials for a printing business I had started in my 10ft by 5ft campus room and came accross a lady selling second hand calligraphy pens. Something pushed me to purchase them even though I couldn't afford it at that moment. (Had to seek help from a few people... I think they know themselves). I began practising again after more than 5 years of dormancy. I had 'rust'. But thanks to Youtube and the internet, I could learn of new fonts and I improved my skill and speed. I put up and advert on OLX which was new then. A few months passed and I got a call from a first prospective client; A certain Embassy in the country. My life has never been the same again. My networks started growing and that is how Shanifati Designs came into being.
It's now 3 years since I rediscovered my talent, I can confidently say that I earn from it and I am proud to be among the few calligraphers that Kenya has. We have different talents and ideas, but many of us don't use or implement them, my advice to you is, 'START'. You will never know the full potential of what you possess till you start! Never be afraid to fail as God's plans are always good and He gives us a future and a hope!
Special shout out to my parents and family, friends, colleagues and the amazing team of Kenyan calligraphers out there.
Photo Credits: Sir James
SHANIFATI DESIGNS| Home of calligraphy
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