The Artist

Holly V. Monroe is an Oregon-based third generation calligrapher with a deep appreciation for beautiful lettering and fine art. Tutored from childhood by her mother in art and her father in calligraphy, she has since studied under some of the world’s finest calligraphy instructors. In 1980, Holly opened her own studio in Cincinnati under the family name, Heirloom Artists.

Holly’s motivation is “to feed the soul by making meaningful words beautiful.” She captures Biblical and inspirational texts with flourishes, florals, illustrations and colorful hand lettering.

Private commissions and design for the greeting card and gift industry comprise much of Holly’s work, but her creative lettering and design is found in personal, commercial, corporate, university, church and several presidential collections. She teaches a variety of workshops and conference topics.

Holly’s calligraphy and illustrations are found on framed prints and originals, commercial products, mission statements, resolutions, greeting cards and gifts items, custom books, magazines, family trees, wedding invitations and other imaginative items.

Her calligraphy has been commissioned for documents presented to U.S. Presidents George H. W. Bush and William J. Clinton, French President Jacques Chirac, Cincinnati entrepreneur Carl H. Lindner, and many other prominent officials.

In 2015 Holly relocated her Cincinnati studio to Lake Oswego, close to Portland Oregon, merging it with that of her equally talented father, Cliff Mansley. She has two grown children. Her son, Josh Monroe (wife Emily) recently opened Heirloom Artists Furniture Studio and Heirloom Artists Firearms Studio in New Hampshire. Daughter Heidi Monroe Lofton (husband Phil) currently works in the Design Technology industry in Indianapolis.