Tuesday, October 6, 2009

GOTHIC ARCHES-"Inventors"


This week's Gothic Arches Challenge is to make an arch featuring an inventor and to provide a little information about him or her. Although the basic fountain pen has been around for hundreds of years, it was Louis Edson Waterman who invented the capillary-feed fountain pen, which used air to help the flow of ink stay smooth and steady. In 1883, Waterman was a New York insurance broker who, when signing an important contract with a new "stylish" fountain pen he'd acquired, was dismayed and embarrassed when his pen broke and spilled ink all over the contract! He vowed to invent a better pen, worked on his idea in his brother's workshop, and subsequently obtained a patent for his design. He then sold his pens behind a cigar shop, guaranteed them for 5 years, and then was able to open a factory in Montreal in 1899. He died in 1901, but was inducted in 2006 into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.

My background paper for the arch already had the large hand holding the pen and the handwriting on it; this is where I originally got the idea for my inventor. I added a vellum copy of a vintage ad, along with a vellum photo of the inventor, stamped the background with stamps from an old Stampin' Up kit I had, edged the arch with Colorbox ink, and finished up with German Scrap and some gold metal leaves (or are they feathers?) for decoration.

12 comments:

Kriss said...

What a wonderful arch. I like how you used vellum for some of you images, it added a nice dimension to your work.

Anonymous said...

It is a wonderful arch. I've never used printed vellum before and it looks really good on your arch. I also really enjoyed reading about Waterman.

Sandy said...

Wow what an amazing arch.
This is just perfect. Brilliant work.

Martina said...

This is absolutely stunning!
Gorgeous arch.

Lissie said...

Lovely piece of art! :)

Thank you for commenting about Berits box in the norwegian womens shopping portal! :)

If you want to look at MY blog (that one is in english in addition to norwegian)you will find that one here: www.lissiedesign.blogspot.com

Karen The Graphics Fairy said...

Hi Jann,
This is fabulous! What a great idea for a theme!! I loved hearing the story behind this, and of course your artwork is beautiful as always.
I'm so glad you liked my new background and header! Thanks for using them on your blog.
Karen

Nigel said...

A beautiful arch, and I'm very grateful to Mr Waterman as I love using a 'real' pen :)

Berit T said...

Love your art, so beautiful, I will come back.

Sugar Lump Studios said...

Jann
this is soooo fabulous! I love the vintage/weathered feel of it, stamps and learning about the fountain pen! :) beautiful work!

Louise (KardKrazy) said...

So many shadows and layers here -- one really has to take a good long look at it to take it all in.
Great design,Jann, and great choice of inventors,too!

~*~Magpie's Nest said...

Your arch is so rich and fantastic looking = beautiful arch Jann! I really wanted to play in that challenge .... time has been getting away from me ... seems more pronounced when the seasons change I find!

Lydia said...

This is so cool. I think that you should submit this to the Stampington magazines!