Mountain Times - Vol. 50, Number 2, Jan. 13-19, 2021

LivingADE
20 • The Mountain Times • Jan. 13-19, 2021
This week’s living Arts, Dining and Entertainment!
Submitted
Wander on Words spreads positivity through hand lettering
By Brooke Geery
Colleen Wilcox, 30, a Pittsfield-based artist whose
hand-lettered designs brighten up Instagram feeds across
the globe under the moniker Wander on Words, has always
loved language and been drawn to the outdoors.
“Growing up, my mom would send me to school with
motivational quotes in my lunch box, so you could say I
began collecting words at a young age,” she said.
Wilcox spent her earliest days in Illinois before moving
to Montana and working in Yellowstone National Park,
where her obsession with nature grew.
“I would constantly doodle uplifting words on every
piece of paper I could find,” she said. “The whole experience
of living in such a beautiful, wild place deeply inspired
me, and I wanted to share that inspiration with others.”
She moved to Vermont in 2013 and currently resides
with her husband in Pittsfield. After five years working
as a designer at Boss Office Supplies, she took the leap
and went out on her own in 2018, beginning with selling
her work online. The name, Wander on Words, was
initially destined for something else.
“I’ve always had an extreme fondness for words and
travel, and this phrase came to mind out of the blue
one day, right around when we moved to Vermont. I
originally wrote it down and wanted to open a bookstore
with the name. Then came the push from my
husband to start a business with my lettering. I looked
up the domain name to see if it was available, and sure
enough, it was! I snatched it right up and created myself
a logo. I thought it was an excellent play on words
and melded my passions nicely,” she said.
In addition to being quite visually pleasing, her
pieces also spread messages of positivity.
“I love figuring out how letters can fit together to
create visual balance and interest, while inspiring
others, spreading positivity, and rekindling a love for
nature. The smallest details and changes in form can
change the feel of the words,” she said.
2020 was shaping up to the biggest year yet for Wander
on Words, but then, Covid-19 hit.
“This year was interesting in that I had originally signed
up for more shows than ever before – and then they were
canceled. As I’m sure many felt, I was very nervous going
into the spring of 2020. Luckily, online sales have been
steady,” Wilcox said. “It is wonderful to see how much
Vermont came together to support small businesses and
artists in this uncertain time.”
If you’re in the Killington area, you’re likely to spot Wilcox
out on the town in the “Wander Wagon,” her van which
is adorned with decals featuring her lettering.
“I have actually heard from many folks who have found
me because they spotted my van somewhere: usually
parked at trailheads, my favorite coffee shops, or driving
to and from the post office. I created the artwork and
the wonderful Green Screen Graphics made it a reality.
It makes me so happy to know that the Wander Wagon is
recognizable. I hope that it brings people joy! I am a snowboarder
and sometimes when I go through the parking
reservation checkpoint to ride at Killington, the attendant
will say, ‘nice van!’ I love these moments.”
Next up for Wander on Words is a lettering challenge
and giveaway in February. To learn more, follow her on
Facebook and Instagram @wanderonwords or visit wanderonwords.com.