Welcome, or welcome back, to my Stanford Pen Studio (SPS) series. If you haven’t seen my previous posts, I suggest you check them out to see the amazing work the SPS collective produces. This is my final entry in this initial run on SPS. However, I will continue this series as they partner with more artists, and already have an entry planned for their newest partner, Renée Gerstner.
I also want to remind everyone that I’m not affiliated with SPS, I’m just an avid fan of the people and the work they do.
SPS Series Posts: SPS Overview | Brandon Lodewyk | Carla Nel | Di Möhr | Hanna Farmer | Kseniia Nel | Lana Le Roux | Lisa Strachan | Val Myburgh | Yulia Glas | Zelna le Roux | Initial Wrap-Up
This series has tested me more than any other blog series so far. Do you have any idea how hard it’s been to scroll through so many Instagram accounts, look at so much art, and keep myself from purchasing? I want ALL the pens, and ALL the art.
OK, full disclosure, I didn’t get through this series without any purchases. I bought some art from Yulia Glas. I tried to resist, I really did, but I couldn’t help myself.
I’ve enjoyed this series more than most of my other blog posts, too. It’s been great learning more about each artist, and helping to support them. I’m also happy to know that Di and Dave are as great as they seem.
Intwana Crowdfund
Since I started this series, SPS launched a crowdfunding campaign to introduce a new pen model — the Intwana — and grow their business. Nine different hand-painted designs are available, featuring each artist’s favorite animal. I highly suggest you watch their video, which goes through each design in the collection.
In SPS’s own words: “One of the aims of this crowdfunder is to test your response to this new model. And the other is to ask you to help us grow. For example, we would love to have the breathing space to develop more new models, to buy nibs in bulk, to participate in international pens shows, to up our marketing game, to offer special/gold nibs …”
IMPORTANT NOTE: This is not an all-or-nothing campaign. Instead, it’s an “everything helps” campaign. So, if you aren’t interested in these specific designs, but would like to support SPS’s future growth, even a small, no-reward, contribution will help. There is an option, once you choose to fund the campaign, to set the amount you’d like to donate. A no-reward contribution isn’t limited to the $10 option visible on the campaign page.
There are multiple tiers, with the first reward level getting you one pen for $320 USD, or $305 USD before December 1.
Their campaign ends on 12/8/24. They expect to send out questionnaires to supporters and start making pen bodies in mid- December. After a holiday break, January-April will be dedicated to making, painting, and shipping pens, with a goal of delivering all pens by the end of April.
The nine available pens are, in alphabetical order by animal:
- Chameleon by Carla Nel
- Dragon by Yulia Glas
- Giraffe by Lana Le Roux
- Kitten by Brandon Lodewyk
- Koi by Hanna Farmer
- Llama by Zelna le Roux
- Penguin by Renée Gerstner
- Phoenix by Kseniia Nel
- Seahorse by Lisa Strachan
I urge you to take a look at the campaign. If you can’t, or don’t want, to support the campaign monetarily, perhaps you’d consider sharing the link with friends? Thundafund Intwana Launch Campaign: https://thunda.fund/intwana. I know I’m highly biased, but I desperately want to see their campaign succeed, as I want to see their business grow.
The Studio
I promised that I’d ask Di if she’d provide some photos of the cave of wonders studio that lured so many artists to work with SPS. Thanks to her willingness to do so, I give you a behind-the-scenes peek into the SPS work area.
Let’s start with overviews of the workshop. Look at all those tools! And yes, that is the strip-built wooden kayak that Dave built, hanging from the rafters.
And we have another view of the workshop, with even more tools and a lathe. And let’s not forget Lana le Roux holding some pen blanks.
We continue with the pen-making process. Here’s Lana at the mixing station, holding what I think may be Kseniia Nel’s Phoenix pen. And look at all those pigments in the background!
Here’s Dave at the CNC lathe.
And Lana collecting the swarf.
And Lana working at the Emco metal lathe.
And Lana polishing a pen blank — is there anything she doesn’t do? — presumably before it goes to an artist.
And, of course, no pen is complete without a good nib. Here’s Di working on a nib grind.
Closing Thoughts
As I’ve worked on the various posts for these series, I’ve been lucky enough to get to know all of SPS’ artists better. Art is a window into a person’s soul, you can learn A LOT about them just by looking at the art they produce.
I’ve always loved art, it’s been an enormous part of my life since I was old enough to finger paint. While my interests have (mostly) matured since then, art, especially good art, continues to be important to me. The biggest constant through the disparate art styles of all of SPS’ artists is that they’re good. No, not good, amazing! This is a collective of amazingly talented people working together to gift the world with new ways to appreciate art.
While art comes in many different forms, it’s rare — in my experience — to find portable, multi-use fine art. SPS’ pens are fine art; they should be looked at, admired. But, they are also functional tools that you can take with you. Even better, they’re protected by resin so you don’t have to worry about scratching, chipping, or otherwise damaging the art in everyday use.
And yes, I know that other fine art pens exist, I have several from Benu, ARTUS, Pilot, Cypress, etc., and they’re fabulous, they truly are. I don’t want anyone to think I don’t appreciate my other art pens. However, SPS is the only company I know of where you know who made and who painted your pen. You can get to know the talented artists. And that is incredibly special.
Have you enjoyed this deep-dive into Stanford Pen Studio? Have you already picked an Intwana design? Let me know in the comments! I’d love to hear from you.
Thanks for reading to the end, I hope you enjoyed my post. Make sure to subscribe to my blog or follow me on Instagram so you don’t miss any posts. I generally post at least once a week.
Rachel, you are so amazing!
Thank you, Yulia! As are you!!