This piece started as a heartfelt idea from one of my cousins — a gift for our grandmother’s 90th birthday. Our family is huge, and we’ve always talked about making a family tree. I decided to take it on, combining copperplate calligraphy with a hand-drawn juniper tree, which felt symbolic of our Colorado roots and the twists and turns of our family legacy.

The hardest part was definitely organizing over 100 names and making sure everyone was included and placed thoughtfully. On top of that, the calligraphy had to be clean and consistent across the entire piece, which took a lot of late nights and focused energy.

I sketched out different compositions, built a spreadsheet of names, and then dove into writing everything out with a dip pen and ink. Once I had the names completed, I scanned them to refine the layout digitally in Photoshop — allowing for future edits if needed. I also illustrated a border with flourishes and included a vintage wedding photo of my grandparents. The final piece was printed at 24” x 36”.

This was one of the most meaningful pieces I’ve made. My family’s reaction — especially my grandma’s — made it all worth it. Beyond being a gift, it felt like a celebration of legacy, love, and the kind of craftsmanship I want my work to reflect.