+David Mekelburg

Biographical Information:

While in an art class in high school in Wisconsin in 1954 David Mekelburg had his first contact with letters as art. In this class he also experienced the Speedball C pen, a chiseled edge pen that is basic to much calligraphy. Soon he discovered Edward Johnston's pioneer book and learned about the Foundational Hand. Then in 1959 he discovered italic handwriting through the Calligrapher's Handbook. Then began a series of consultations and contacts with a number of notable calligraphers such as Sister Leonarda Longen O.S.B., Father Catich, Ade Bethune and many others. He accepted Ade's invitation to serve as an apprentice with her for a summer and working in her St. Leo Shop in Newport, Rhode Island. Except for this time with Ade he was self-taught with guidance from many and from books. For several years he worked in the Marquette University library in his hometown Milwaukee and took some classes at the university. As his skill grew he also taught an extension course in calligraphy at the university. Soon he took over the operation of a print shop owned by some Sisters and was printing everything for their 5 hospitals and 20 schools. At the same time he was engaged in writing and visiting many different calligraphers and attending exhibits, seminars and workshops of all kinds on calligraphy. In brief, calligraphy became an addiction for him. He found it exciting and exhilarating. In 1967 David enrolled in Immaculata Heart College in California which had some notable art teachers including Sr. Corita Kent. His education at Immaculata made a big impact on his life and he soon would become an outstanding calligrapher and travel around the country conducting 2 or 3-day workshops on calligraphy. He did over 700 card designs for Conception Abbey Press (now The Printery House) over 20 some years. Dave also did the design and calligraphy for the second edition of our "Family Book of Life" published by The Printery House. He had many other clients until he started his own greeting card company in the early 1980's with the name David M and Friends. Dave's calligraphy is outstanding, it dances and sings and is always expressive of the meaning of the text. He is a calligrapher extraordinaire and amply deserves that title. David died on July 21, 2010 at age 73. (Written by Fr. Norbert Schappler, O.S.B.)

Products featuring this artist's work:

Come, Holy Spirit
Prayer Card
(129PR)
Artist

The Fruit of the Spirit
Inspirational Prayer Cards
(232PR)
Artist

Finding Peace
Assorted Sympathy Cards
(B276)
Artist

Joy Hope Peace Love
Spirit of Christmas Card
(CA3266)
Artist

Everything Created By God Is Good
St. Valentine's Day Card
(CA50067)
Artist

Heart with Cross
St. Valentine's Day Card
(CA50070)
Artist

Deacon's Cross
Ordination Souvenir Holy Card
(ORD14S)
Artist

I Am in Your Midst as One Who Serves
Ordination Invitations
(ORD52)
Artist

Repeat the Sounding Joy
Christmas Petite Note
(PN211)
Artist

Wishing You a Wonderful Birthday, Father
Priest Birthday Card
(CB10618)
Artist

Sending Caring Thoughts
Thinking of You Card
(CB10629)
Artist

The God of Love and Peace
Thinking of You Card
(CB10631)
Artist

As You Dedicate Your Life to Christ
Religious Profession Card
(CB1849)
Artist

The Fruit of the Spirit
Inspirational Blank Cards
(CV019)
Artist

Deacon's Cross
Ordination Invitations
(ORD14)
Artist

I Will Put a New Spirit Within Them
Confirmation Card
(CB10368)
Artist

To Comfort You
Sympathy Card
(CB10548)
Artist

Wishes for St. Patrick's Day
St. Patrick's Day Card
(CB10563)
Artist

God's Light Shines in You
St. Valentine's Day Card
(CB10610)
Artist

God Will Lead You into Another Year
Birthday Card
(CB10615)
Artist

From the Fullness of God's Heart
Birthday Card
(CB10616)
Artist

Praying for Some Help from Above...
Get Well Card
(CA50184)
Artist

On the Anniversary of Your Diaconate Ordination
Deacon Ordination Anniversary Card
(CA5092)
Artist

All Will Be Made Alive
Mass Card for the Deceased
(CA8173)
Artist

As You Become a Member of Christ's Body
Christian Initiation Congratulations Card
(CA8222)
Artist

If We Live By the Spirit
Inspirational Blank Cards
(CB10339)
Artist

Let Us Love One Another
St. Valentine's Day Card
(CB10356)
Artist

The Lord Bless You
Prayer Card
(121PR)
Calligrapher

An Irish Blessing
Prayer Card
(122PR)
Calligrapher

Christ Is Risen Alleluia
Easter Card
(CA50152)
Calligrapher

Many Thanks
Thank You Card
(CF8294)
Calligrapher

Thank You
Thank You Card
(CF8295)
Calligrapher

Gratefully
Thank You Card
(CF8296)
Calligrapher

Silver Peace - Winter Country Road
Splendor of Christmas Card
(CH9025)
Calligrapher

May You Have the Joy of Christmas
Splendor of Christmas Card
(CH9044)
Calligrapher

Abundantly Blessed
General Congratulations Card
(CL60696)
Calligrapher

Thank You God Bless You
Folded Notes
(FN17)
Calligrapher

Alpha and Omega
Folded Note
(FN42)
Calligrapher

Alpha and Omega
Note Card
(NC42)
Calligrapher

Peace
Prayer Card
(073PR)
Artist/Calligrapher

In Your Journeys God Direct You
Prayer Card
(076PR)
Artist/Calligrapher

May Christ Give to You at This Time
Prayer Card
(077PR)
Artist/Calligrapher

Out of Darkness Shall Come Dawn
Prayer Card
(078PR)
Artist/Calligrapher

Where There Is Faith, There Is Love
Prayer Card
(081PR)
Artist/Calligrapher

The Light Shines in the Darkness
Prayer Card
(084PR)
Artist/Calligrapher

If You Would Be Perfect
Framed Print
(FP43465)
Artist/Calligrapher

Our Family Book of Life Personalized
Book
(ZCA010)
Artist/Calligrapher

On the 40th Anniversary of Your Ordination
40th Ordination Anniversary Card
(CL60694)
Artist/Calligrapher

Through Baptism Into Christ's Death
Framed Print
(FP43460)
Artist/Calligrapher

All Those Who Feed on My Flesh
Framed Print
(FP43461)
Artist/Calligrapher

They Presented These Men
Framed Print
(FP43462)
Artist/Calligrapher

Keep Watch Over the Whole Flock
Framed Print
(FP43463)
Artist/Calligrapher

The Two Shall Be Made Into One
Framed Print
(FP43464)
Artist/Calligrapher

Deepest Sympathy
Sympathy Card
(CF8290)
Artist/Calligrapher

Whoever Lives and Believes in Me Will Never Die
Sympathy Card
(CF8291)
Artist/Calligrapher

His Name Shall Be Called Emmanuel
Splendor of Christmas Card
(CH9024)
Artist/Calligrapher

Happy Father's Day
Father's Day Card
(CL60664)
Artist/Calligrapher

I Love You
St. Valentine's Day Card for Significant Other
(CL60688)
Artist/Calligrapher

L-o-v-e
Wedding Congratulations Card
(CL60690)
Artist/Calligrapher

This Day a Great Light Has Descended Upon the Earth
Miracle of Christmas Card
(CB4362)
Artist/Calligrapher

Joy to the World
Miracle of Christmas Card
(CB4363)
Artist/Calligrapher

Come to Me
Sympathy Mass Card
(CF5696)
Artist/Calligrapher

They Presented These Men
Deacon Ordination Congratulations Card
(CF5722)
Artist/Calligrapher

I Am the Resurrection
Mass Card
(CF6075)
Artist/Calligrapher

Peace
Sympathy Card
(CF8289)
Artist/Calligrapher

Praying That You Will Find Peace
Encouragment Card
(CB10540)
Artist/Calligrapher

Peace and Joy
Encouragement Card
(CB10541)
Artist/Calligrapher

Have a Hopeful Heart
Encouragement Card
(CB10542)
Artist/Calligrapher

Be Happy in Your Hope
Sympathy Card
(CB10549)
Artist/Calligrapher

Happy St. Valentine's Day
St. Valentine's Day Card
(CB10560)
Artist/Calligrapher

An Irish Christmas Blessing
Miracle of Christmas Card
(CB4344)
Artist/Calligrapher

Happy (Image of Heart)
St. Valentine's Day Card
(CA50151)
Artist/Calligrapher

Blessings on the Anniversary of Your Profession
Religious Profession Anniversary Card
(CA50160)
Artist/Calligrapher

Love Still ls the Most Powerful
St. Valentine's Day Card
(CB10312)
Artist/Calligrapher

Let Your Light Shine
Graduation Congratulations Card
(CB10370)
Artist/Calligrapher

Happy Day, Valentine
St Valentine's Day Card
(CB10425)
Artist/Calligrapher

The Best Is Yet to Be
Encouragement Card
(CB10539)
Artist/Calligrapher

What a Wonderful Day
Congratulations Card
(CA50105)
Artist/Calligrapher

In Him and with Him
Mass Card for Any Intention
(CA50106)
Artist/Calligrapher

Whoever Lives and Believes in Me
Mass Intention Card for Deceased/Sympathy
(CA50107)
Artist/Calligrapher

Love Love Love
St. Valentine's Day Card
(CA50126)
Artist/Calligrapher

Our Help Is in the Name of the Lord
Get Well Card
(CA50136)
Artist/Calligrapher

May You Grow Together in the Love of Christ
Wedding Congratulations Card
(CA50137)
Artist/Calligrapher

I Have a Dream (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.)
Prayer Card
(085PR)
Artist/Calligrapher

In Life and Death...
Sympathy Prayer Card
(210PR)
Artist/Calligrapher

Our Family Book of Life

(CA010)
Artist/Calligrapher

An Irish Blessing at Christmas
Spirit of Christmas Irish Card
(CA3180)
Artist/Calligrapher

Christmas Greetings
Spirit of Christmas Card
(CA3325)
Artist/Calligrapher

God Has Given Peace to the World
Spirit of Christmas Card
(CA3339)
Artist/Calligrapher

Congratulations from Your Confirmation Sponsor
Confirmation Card Sponsor
(CB1840)
Illustration

A Confirmation Prayer for a Special Young Man
Confirmation Card Young Man
(CB1872)
Illustration

With Heartfelt Prayers IHS
Folded Notes
(FN20)
Illustration

Chi Rho with Priest's Stole
Ordination Invitations
(ORD27)
Illustration