Ginkgo Leaves

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jalbert

jalbert

Member
Joined
May 17, 2015
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994
Location
Louisville, KY
Here is a pen I have been working on for a few weeks. I made it from Nikko ebonite and transparent blue/green acrylic, with Argentium silver overlay and clip. The overlay and clip have a ginkgo leaf motif on them. I skeletonized the negative spaces in the overlay because I like the effect of it on a transparent barrel. The pen uses a jowo #6 nib, and has a max diameter of about 13mm at the barrel.
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Now I know I probably said this 100 times when you show us a pen, but I believe THIS one is you all time best (until you show us the next one) Absolutely beautiful. That can command some $$$
 
Stunning! Artistry at its finest!

How do you attach the clip to the silver ring, if I may ask? It looks like the ring and clip could be two separate parts joined together.
 
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OUTSTANDING, John !!! . . . Words don't do the trick, but that's all I've got . . . inadequate words !!

I can see that there is a massive amount of time and work involved in producing the pen(s) that you show !

As JT already said . . . this is your most impressive piece of work ..... until the NEXT "most impressive" piece of work !!
 
The shape of the clip . . . and the ginkgo leaf patterning on the clip and the barrel overlay . . . just OUT OF THIS WORLD !!!!!!
 
I am quoting here . . . .

"What does the ginkgo leaf symbolize?

In Japanese decorative art, the ginkgo's distinctive fan-shaped leaf has carried symbolism along with its singular beauty: the ginkgo has been a symbol of longevity (the tree can live for a thousand years) and of a more profound endurance (four ginkgos survived the blast at Hiroshima and are still growing today)."
 
magpens said:
What does the ginkgo leaf symbolize?

In Japanese decorative art, the ginkgo's distinctive fan-shaped leaf has carried symbolism along with its singular beauty: the ginkgo has been a symbol of longevity (the tree can live for a thousand years) and of a more profound endurance (four ginkgos survived the blast at Hiroshima and are still growing today).
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Huh interesting to know. I'll be honest, I chose them because I thought it would look good layered on an overlay and be a good starting point for learning to engrave on a curved surface 😂
 
jalbert said:
Here is a pen I have been working on for a few weeks. I made it from Nikko ebonite and transparent blue/green acrylic, with Argentium silver overlay and clip. The overlay and clip have a ginkgo leaf motif on them. I skeletonized the negative spaces in the overlay because I like the effect of it on a transparent barrel. The pen uses a jowo #6 nib, and has a max diameter of about 13mm at the barrel. View attachment 320588View attachment 320589View attachment 320590View attachment 320591
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Not to sound redundant, but WOW! What a beautiful job on an AMAZING pen.
 
Da.n but you are good! My parents had a Ginko tree many years ago. An interesting species that I was fond of - good for cities with smog, etc. The clip and layered Argentium Silver is masterful. Much of your catalog of works I have admired, this goes right to the top. I do believe you have reached another plateau for what you should command for your art!

Be well and thanks for the inspiration.
 
That is just... just... WOW!!! Truly a work of fine art! The details are superb!

Did you make the argentium as a sleeve over some sort of mold/form and then slip it over the finished barrel?
 
sorcerertd said:
That is just... just... WOW!!! Truly a work of fine art! The details are superb!

Did you make the argentium as a sleeve over some sort of mold/form and then slip it over the finished barrel?
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It started out as a piece of flat sheet, and I rolled it around a piece of steel bar stock and soldered the seam to make a tube .
 
crokett said:
That is gorgeous. How did you create the overlay?
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I rolled up a rectangular piece of silver sheet and soldered the seam to form a tube. I then laid out some leaves on it with a sharpie, and engraved them into the overlay with my pneumatic-assist hand engraver. Once I had all the leaves engraved I pierced the negative spaces between them with a small drill bit, then used a variety of burrs in my foredom tool to open up the negative spaces and refine them.
 
jalbert said:
I rolled up a rectangular piece of silver sheet and soldered the seam to form a tube. I then laid out some leaves on it with a sharpie, and engraved them into the overlay with my pneumatic-assist hand engraver. Once I had all the leaves engraved I pierced the negative spaces between them with a small drill bit, then used a variety of burrs in my foredom tool to open up the negative spaces and refine them.
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That is true craftsmanship. I thought you had the tube with the ginko leaves on them, and just cut out the negative space...but to engrave the entire thing by hand. Some true talent!
 
jrista said:
That is true craftsmanship. I thought you had the tube with the ginko leaves on them, and just cut out the negative space...but to engrave the entire thing by hand. Some true talent!
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Thanks! Engraving is something I'd wanted to learn for a while. It's been fun for the three or so months I've been working on it. Pens seem to be a great canvas to work with, and I'm excited to work on some more
 
John. I am not sure I can write anything here that can pay the tribute your work of art it deserves. I am incredibly impressed with your skills and craftsmanship. Thank you for sharing your process with us. I have been interested in implementing metal into my pens and have been researching different techniques (filigree, skeletonize). Is there any guidance you can advise on resources I can check out to learn more?

Thanks again for sharing.
 
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