Disclaimer: I take no responsibility for pen envy or impulse purchases resulting from viewing this post.
Per usual, you can click on the images to view them larger. I do my best to provide you with high-quality pen porn. 😉
And now it’s time to share the second Intwana pen I ordered, Lisa Strachan‘s Seahorse.
Before I get started, I want to make sure you know that, while the Koi and Seahorse designs are not currently listed on the SPS website, the Chameleon, Dragon, Giraffe, Kitten, Llama, Penguins, and Phoenix designs are all still available.
360° views
Per usual, I’m starting with the 360° views. I’ve included one of the images Stanford Pen Studio had as part of their crowdfunder campaign (left) and my own 360° view of Lisa’s art.
The Art
I love how simultaneously busy and simple this design is. From afar, or viewed as a whole, the scene looks highly complex. But, especially when you zoom in or focus on bubbles and urchins (?) it’s a fairly simple technique. Granted, it requires skill to make it excellent.
Lisa’s color choices are fabulous. The gold dots and coordinated blues help tie the artwork to the pen. The seahorse could easily feel like a discordant addition, especially given the bright, happy yellow. But, by including the blue and turquoise of the bubbles, Lisa has kept the entire scene harmonious.
Further, in choosing a slightly green-leaning yellow — rather than an orange-leaning one — she has ensured it doesn’t feel out of place. The sketchy outline style is extended to the bubbles and urchins which further solidifies the composition.
Signature
It took me a while to find Lisa’s signature when I got the pen, which leaves me with mixed feelings. On the one hand, it clearly “goes” with the art. On the other, I do like being able to see the signature easily.
Final thoughts
I’m happy I decided to get Lisa’s seahorse. Not only does it mean I have a pen with her art on it, but it’s also such a fun, happy pen!
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Very nice write-up. These pens really are gorgeous. I’m fortunate enough to have the Dragon version, winning it in a Pen Addict giveaway last month. I’m not normally a dragon guy, but the artistry of the hand painting that Yulia Glas achieved in creating her dragon simply won me over. That, and the awesome job that the Möhr’s did in tuning (and grinding to an EF for Brad) the nib, make this pen simply sublime & a joy to write with.