Bernice van Overbeek is a Dutch calligrapher but most of all mom of three. She’s a former psychologist specializing in autism, but had to stop her practice due to chronic illness in 2012. Being homebound she went in search of a new hobby. Through Instagram she discovered pointed pen calligraphy in 2018 and didn’t stop writing from the first time she held an oblique pen.
Her first love is the pointed pen, with scripts like Copperplate, Spencerian, Engrosser’s script, Italian hand and modern script. She also loves broad edge scripts like Blackletter, Italic, and Gothicized Italic as well as gilding and flourishing. Bernice is known for her structured way of studying and working which reflects her thoughtful and diligent way of approaching calligraphy and life.
She’s a member of IAMPETH and Fellow of the Dutch guild NVC (Nederlandse Verluchters- en Calligrafengilde). Bernice took part in the 2022 Symbiosis II – The Mentoring Journey from The Art of Letters where she developed as an artist under guidance/mentorship of Gemma Black.
When she’s not doing calligraphy, she enjoys reading, cooking, writing letters, photography, bookbinding and crochet.