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Ama Foundry | Arabic-Latin Logotype Collab
Recently I collaborated with Arabic type designer Lara Captan designing the Latin version of her brand new type project called Ama Foundry.
May 30, 2023
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Ants In My Pants | Newsletter
Today, I’ll give you an update on my nomad life since the start of 2023, and what’s coming in the following months.
May 3, 2023
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Women’s Freedom Means Social Freedom | Newsletter
International Women’s Day is not for celebrating. It is for protesting against and raising awareness about the fact that people are still being oppressed or treated differently […]
Mar 8, 2023
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Pump Up Your Copperplate | Course Announcement
Official presentation and announcement video. Refine, up-skill and fine tune your existing Copperplate calligraphy skills with this pre-recorded self-paced course. Life-time access.
Mar 4, 2022
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A List of Fonts by Women | Resource Updated
This is an ongoing resource of retail fonts designed by women, and female type designers.
Mar 1, 2023
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Back To School | Newsletter
Today in Barcelona, I’m sitting at a different type of table. It’s my third day back to school —that’s how I like to call it— because every email, every experience and every single challenge can be an opportunity to learn, grow and becoming wiser.
16 Jan 2023
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Nibs | Beginners Copperplate FAQ Series
My new educational video is called “Nibs”. It is a part of a series called Copperplate FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions), where I answer questions about Copperplate calligraphy that many of my students have asked before.
Dec 23. 2022
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Barcelona Housing Lottery | Newsletter
On August 18th I landed in Barcelona after three long years and a global pandemic away. I had never seen my parents as happy as during the first days we were back at their home.
Nov 1, 2022
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Thai Type Tourist | Newsletter
On July 19th, my partner and I moved to Thailand for one month while working remotely.We rented an apartment next to the Chiang Mai University.
Sep 6, 2022
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Change starts in the classrooms | Article
I live on an island where more than the 28% of us were born overseas in over 200 countries; where a quarter of the population speak 260 languages other than English […]
Aug 12, 2022
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Paper | Beginner Copperplate FAQs Series
In this video I am answering common questions about Copperplate calligraphy. In this particular case, I’m focusing on the types of paper that can be used for calligraphy.
Jul 23, 2022
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Love in the Time of Hysteria | Newsletter
Since antiquity, the term “hysteria” has been applied to a wide variety of both physical and emotional ailments. What all these ailments have in common […]
July 7, 2022
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Type Design Education for Graphic Designers | Lecture
Recently, I gave a guest lecture part of the “Principles of Typeface Design” class lead by Troy Leinster at Type@Copper in New York City. I decided to make this presentation […]
May 15, 2022
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The University of Youtube | Newsletter
In September 2020 I decided to release my first educational video. Many colleagues of mine refer to this platform as the University of Youtube […]
May 3, 2022
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Cooking Up A Design | Understanding Branding Assets Better | Article
In 2019 while I was teaching typography, calligraphy and lettering at RMIT University, I explained to my students
Apr 1, 2022
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On The Move | Newsletter
In this March newsletter, I want to share with you a life update and a thought I had while moving from one big city to a small coastal town 1500Km away.
Mar 3, 2022
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The Best Is Yet To Come | Newsletter
I know this is a cliché, and I know I can be very wrong, but I decide to go out and look up for 2022. I am starting this year’s newsletter sweet and short, and with something that brings me true joy […]
Jan 11, 2022
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Learning To See | Newsletter
I want to share with you a post from Paula Bonet, a Spanish artist I admire, reflecting on the topics of education and personal style.
Nov 1, 2021
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The Lockdown Diaries | Newsletter
A couple of weeks ago, I reconnected with a friend of mine and gave her un update on my last 18 months in Australia. After talking to her, I thought of sharing my thoughts with all of you.
Sept 1, 2021
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Summer School in Winter | Newsletter
The last couple of months have been highly educational. I live-streamed Typographics, and took part of their TypeLabs Asia Channel program with a short […]
Jul 15, 2021
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Anne Lamott’s 12 Truths I Learned from Life & Writing
12 Truths I Learned from Life and Writing by Anne Lamott, syndicated from ted.com, Feb 12, 2019. Article via DailyGood.
Jul 12, 2021
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Australia’s First Languages | Signwriting
For tens of thousands of years, hundreds of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages have been spoken across Australia. At the time of European colonisation […]
Jun 6, 2021
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Across Borders Project | Solidarity Posters
Across Borders is a global, cross-cultural initiative that believes in design as a tool to create boundaries and create a positive impact on society.
June 3, 2021
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Every Small Victory Matters | Newsletter
Life can be exhausting, specially if you deeply care about what’s going on here in Melbourne, and around the world. Having high levels of empathy can be a blessing […]
May 31, 2021
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Ten Years in Ten Minutes from an Independent Designer
Recently, I was invited to give a talk as part of Intentional’s 10th Birthday Celebration under the theme “What can you do in ten?”. Basically, I summarised my last 10 years […]
May 21, 2021
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Forty-four and Still Learning | Newsletter
Respect women by listening to their needs, and act accordingly. Support women by creating safe and respectful environments for them to thrive […]
Mar 26, 2021
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Home | Newsletter
Go back to museums without a mask, do cheap-Monday movie nights, hug my friends like it’s new year’s eve every night, and see the Pyrenees from the sky […]
Jan 22, 2021
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Finding Your Inner Compass | Newsletter
“I don’t think that anything I have ever done is something that I have ever been really satisfied with!” This 90-minute “Conversation with Ed Benguiat and Kris Holmes” gives […]
Nov 16, 2020
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Find Your Inner Compass As A Lettering Artist | Article
Recently, Dominique Falla asked me to be part of Typism’s new podcast series, and talk about the concept of inner compass.
Sep 30, 2020
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Zooming In | Newsletter
Another two months have passed, and trying to summarise the times we are living feels like a big challenge. In July, just twenty […]
Sep 1, 2020
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What Now? | Newsletter
It’s hard for me to summarise the last few weeks. Discomfort, shame and pain while taking an introspective look at myself and acknowledging my […]
Jul 7, 2020
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Copperplate Calligraphy Retreat 2021
In this 15-hour calligraphy retreat, you’ll learn the foundations of Copperplate calligraphy, starting from the basic strokes of the lowercase alphabet […]
Jul 1, 2020
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Roller Coaster | Newsletter
Sometimes, I have moments when I don’t know if I’m more scared about the idea of everything changing, or the idea that nothing […]
May 1, 2020
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Calligraphy Retreat 2020 | Photo Gallery
A huge THANK YOU to all my students for coming along and supporting me on my first calligraphy retreat in Australia
March 31, 2020
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The Quiet Ones | Newsletter
This newsletter is a call out to all men AND women to support and champion women today, and every day.
Mar 8, 2020
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The Heroine’s Journey of Maria Montes | Interview
All creative women who came before me, who didn’t find representation in the industry but kept showing up […]
Jan 1, 2020
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Our House is On Fire | Article
“I don’t want your hope. I don’t want your panic. I want you to act. I want you behave like our house is on fire. Because it is” by Greta Thunberg.
Jan 12, 2020
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MLC Open Studio | Meet Up
I’m opening the doors of my studio as part of the Melbourne Lettering Club end of the year meet up. This is a free event but […]
Nov 8, 2019
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She Did It! | Newsletter
My trip overseas this year was better than ever. I opened my second solo exhibition in Spain, I spoke at TypeParis and Adobe France, and I had the […]
Sep 3, 2019
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Shitshow Exhibition | Virtual Tour
Virtual tour to my current solo exhibition currently open at The Art Centre Tinglado 2 in Tarragona, Spain […]
Jul 29, 2019
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TYPEPARIS with Maria Montes | Q&A
We have Maria Montes sharing with us this year at TypeParis. We wanted to find out a little more about her, so have […]
Jun 28, 2019
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Good Shit Takes Time | Free Wallpaper
This is a free wallpaper to remind you all that good work takes a huge amount of time. Click on the hyperlinks below […]
May 1, 2019
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International Women’s Day (IWD 2019) | Article
Last month, I started to teach calligraphy and typography at RMIT university. Like any new job, the first weeks […]
Mar 8, 2019
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What have you learned from this year? | Article
This letter was intended to go out in early January but this month, I changed my mind and decided to send it […]
Dec 29, 2018
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The Best is Yet to Come | Design Feast Interview
The Best is Yet to Come: Maria Montes Improves and Grows as a Freelance Designer, Illustrator, Letterer and Educator.
Nov 18, 2018
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Why does creative work cost money? | Article
A few weeks ago I was approached by a client who asked me to participate in a pitch. My first reaction was […]
Nov 1, 2018
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Having a creative block? | Article
A few weeks ago, after a conference talk at the University of the Sunshine Coast, a student asked me “what do you […]”
Sep 11, 2018
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How to prepare a calligraphy course | Article
At the end of July, I travelled to France to attend a five-day residential course with Mrs Amanda Adams. This is the […]
Sep 6, 2018
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Green Fairy Font Family | Font Release
Green Fairy is a chromatic font family highly ornamented for display purposes. Green Fairy has four chromatic weights […]
May 29, 2018
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The Design Conference Brisbane | Keynote Speaker
It’s a great honour and a huge pleasure to have been invited to speak at this year’s The Design Conference Brisbane […]
Apr 1, 2018
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International Women’s Day 2018 | Article
In honour of International Women’s Day, I want to show my face and give my support to all creative women out there […]
Mar 8, 2018
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Type Conferences 2018 | Resources
Living in Australia is awesome but one of the toughest moment during the year is when the “type conference season” starts. If you —like me— […]
Jan 31, 2018
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Type Conferences 2017 | Resources
We salute those type conference organisers who decided to use their 2017 chapter as an opportunity to improve their speakers lists towards […]
Sat 6, Jan 2018
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The Shit Series | Part IX
My ongoing personal project called “The Shit Series” has reached 97 posts and counting! Check out the latest 7 posts. Check out the entire shit […]
Dec 1, 2017
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Roman Capitals | Calligraphy Retreat
This year, I was fortunate enough to travel to Saint Antoine l’Abbaye (France) for the third time to be part of a 6-day Roman […]
Nov 14, 2017
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Scared Shitless | Conference Transcript Talk
This is the transcript of my talk at TYPISM Conference on September 30, about facing fear and getting out of your comfort zone. […]
Sep 30, 2017
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Typism Conference | Keynote Speaker
Watching yourself on screen is shocking! Last weekend, I watched my Typism talk and I was like: “WTF?! That’s how I talk… And my accent…” […]
Sep 30, 2017
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Typodarium 2018 | Font In Use
The guys from Typodarium are featuring my Green Fairy font on their golden 2018 edition. A 365 day type calendar with a fresh font for every day! […]
Sep 15, 2017
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The Shit Series | Part VIII
My ongoing personal project called “The Shit Series” has reached 90 posts and counting! Check out the latest 4 posts. Check out the entire shit […]
Sep 14, 2017
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The Shit Series | Part VII
My ongoing personal project called “The Shit Series” has reached 86 posts and counting! Check out the latest 18 posts. Check out the entire shit […]
June 6, 2017
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Typerie with Maria Montes | Interview
Recently I talked to the lovely Enza Lacherdis from Typerie. The interview is now up on her site full resources and personal insights […]
May 9, 2017
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Insights with Maria Montes | Interview
Chorus Insights / This month we meet with Maria Montes our long term collaborator as she reflects on her life of patterns and […]
May 1, 2017
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The Shit Series | Part VI
My ongoing personal project called “The Shit Series” has reached 67 posts and counting! Check out the latest 9 posts here […]
Feb 1, 2017
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John’s Signs Private Collection | Article
A couple of months ago my partner and I spent a weekend away near Warrangul. In the AirB&B where we stayed, I found a […]
Feb 1, 2017
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The Great Copperplate Myth | Article
Last September 2016, I was lucky enough to visit my teachers Amanda and Keith Adams at their house in Catalonia for five days of private […]
Feb 1, 2017
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The Shit Cards | Online Store
With the help of many of my friends, I have selected 7 posts from my ongoing personal project The Shit Series and turned them […]
Dec 4, 2016
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Hidden gems: Renaissance Bookbinding | Article
In 2012 I discovered a great hidden treasure in Fitzroy North called Renaissance Bookbinding. I walked […]
Dec 1, 2016
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The Shit Series | Part V
My ongoing personal project called “The Shit Series” has reached 58 posts and counting! Check out the latest 15 […]
Nov 30, 2016
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Learning Calligraphy | Article
Last month, September 2016 I was lucky enough to visit my teachers Amanda and Keith Adams at their house in […]
Oct 12, 2016
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10th Anniversary in Australia | Article
Ten years ago today I landed in Australia and I am not going anywhere. Many things have happened in the last […]
Set 28, 2016
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Rebranding Myself | Case Study
When you are your own client and don’t like any proposals you come up with. More than a decade ago I designed […]
Jul 4, 2016
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Introduction to Calligraphy | Article
I am writing this article with the intention of clarifying a few things about calligraphy, and to hopefully shed some light on misunderstandings about […]
Apr 12, 2016
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Calligraphy Workshop for Beginners | Article
This past 28th of February 2016, I hosted a Copperplate Calligraphy workshop at Como House & Gardens […]
Feb 28, 2016
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Breaking The Ice | Solo Exhibition
I’m really excited to present my new body of work featuring a series of illustrated cocktail artworks and patterns prints […]
Dec 1, 2015
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WIP | Mojito Cocktail
Mojito, Pasión Cubana is a new illustrated artwork inspired by the classic Cuban drink. My idea about Cuba is a place with great architecture, vibrant colours […]
Nov 24, 2015
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WIP | Absinthe
I am working on a new illustrated cocktail piece inspired by the classic French liquor called Absinthe, La Fée Verte (The Green Fairy). This is a brief […]
Nov 7, 2015
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First Solo Exhibition in Melbourne
I am very excited to announce my first ever solo exhibition in Melbourne called Breaking The Ice. Embracing both aspects of this idiom – making a start […]
Oct 1, 2015
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WIP | Negroni Cocktail
Ciao Negroni! is a new illustrated artwork featuring this classic Italian cocktail. The inspiration behind this piece is a blog post from BonAppetit.com […]
Sep 25, 2016
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Celtic | Calligraphy Retreat
In August 2015, I attended a Celtic calligraphy workshop in Saint Antoine L’Abbaye (France) with Mrs Amanda Adams. The workshop is a 6-day […]
Aug 10, 2015
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Italic | Calligraphy Retreat
In August 2015, I attended a calligraphy workshop in Saint Antoine l’Abbaye (France) under the tuition of Keith Adams. The course started on a Monday […]
Aug 4, 2015
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WIP | Margarita Artwork
I am working on a new piece inspired by Nieuw Amsterdam’s Piña Margarita cocktail. My aim is to create a series of illustrated cocktail artworks, each of […]
Jul 25, 2015
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WIP | Espresso Martini
I am working on a new artwork featuring an Espresso Martini. This year I have started to teach Computer Aided Design at Melbourne Fashion Institute […]
Jun 25, 2015
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WIP | Old Fashioned Artwork
Last March 2015, Nieuw Amsterdam contacted me in regards to having an exhibition of my artworks. They saw my Bloody Maria […]
May 6, 2016
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WIP | Gin Tonic Artwork
For the last 4 years I have been lucky enough to visit friends and family and spend over a month in Barcelona. Everyone who lives there knows that gin tonics […]
Apr 15, 2015
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Bloody Maria in London
I’m really happy to announce that after selling my framed artwork at Supergraph Melbourne, three copies of this piece are traveling to Europe to be represented […]
March 22, 2015
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Typism Book Two
Last April 2015 I received my contributor’s copy of Typism Book 2, a real honour to be part of this compilation full of great artists and designer around […]
Mar 2, 2015
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Loose Leaf | Group Exhibition
Last week Loose Leaf run the Australian launch of the book called Strange Plants. “We’re very excited to invite you to the official Australian launch of Strange […]
Oct 22, 2014
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Fraktur | Calligraphy Retreat
In August 2014, I spent one week in Saint-Anotine-l’Abbaye (France) studying Fraktur calligraphy with Keith and Amanda Adams, two amazing teacher […]
Aug 6, 2014
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MarchTwentyTwo | Embroidered Logotype
MarchTwentyTwo is my personal design label and a Melbourne-based design studio focused on textile design, limited edition art prints and scarves […]
Jan 6, 2014
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The Great Weave | Artwork
Modern Carolingian calligraphic artwork called The Great Wave. Work dedicated to Hokusai Katsushika for his talented drawing skills and his […]
Mar 6, 2011
E—info(at)mariamontes(dot)net
T—+61 (0) 421 244 612
T—+61 (0) 421 244 612