Has Anyone Heard Of Henry Simpole?

[GeorgeWP]

George, that is one gorgeous pen! May I ask why ants?

 

Regards,

Soki

 

Hi Soki

 

Perhaps Curioti may enligten us on the choice as I am afraid I don't know - this was a commissioned piece.

It looks to me as if the design has been based on the woodcut "Mobius Strip II" by M.C. Escher.

 

George

[curioti]

George, I am very happy that others are enjoying the photos! That is what we are supposed to do with art: enjoy it and share it.

 

By the way, it is a fantastic writer. Teh size, though it seems large is absolutely perfect for prolonged writing. I often fill pages in practicing my script with this pen. Though, I did have to grind the nib down to an XXXXF to get teh prooper spencerian line. No fault of Henry's though. Everyone who holds it loves the balance.

[Ghost Plane]

Bleck! The antithesis of what I require in a nib. :bonk:

 

Ah well, that's the joys of a custom pen.

[curioti]

Ants are the best analogy for complexity theory which describes how complex systems organize themselves (if you like physics then you can look up this fascinating new body of work.) Ants are a self organizing complex organization which show emergent properties. That is to say, looking at a single ant, no one would intuit that they can build air conditioning, have separation of duties, nurseries, and bury their dead. But this all arises as if by magic in an ant colony.

 

No one coordinates ants. They have individual IQ's of 4. But they are so successful that they have not changed much in 150 million years. In a world where people seem to think that only mankind can save other people, the planet, etc., I find ants to be a powerful reminder of ubiquity, strength and wisdom of the higher power that is truly running the show. If only we would let go of our self importance and let God take the wheel, we might find out that things are pretty darn well taken care of (and also stop hassling our fellow man). The Ant reminds me of that, and is the symbol of my life's work in applying complexity theory...my own religious practice, if you will. What better than to have this gorgeous piece of artwork with me day and night to remind me of my life's compass and to express outwardly a philosophy that provides me with strength and solace.

 

and for the other geeks like me who get goosebumps over new scientific breakthroughs and read academic papers for fun, the ant is sort of a beacon.

[Ghost Plane]

Sort of an opposite of chaos theory and fractals?

[GeorgeWP]

Ants are the best analogy for complexity theory which describes how complex systems organize themselves (if you like physics then you can look up this fascinating new body of work.) Ants are a self organizing complex organization which show emergent properties. That is to say, looking at a single ant, no one would intuit that they can build air conditioning, have separation of duties, nurseries, and bury their dead. But this all arises as if by magic in an ant colony.

 

No one coordinates ants. They have individual IQ's of 4. But they are so successful that they have not changed much in 150 million years. In a world where people seem to think that only mankind can save other people, the planet, etc., I find ants to be a powerful reminder of ubiquity, strength and wisdom of the higher power that is truly running the show. If only we would let go of our self importance and let God take the wheel, we might find out that things are pretty darn well taken care of (and also stop hassling our fellow man). The Ant reminds me of that, and is the symbol of my life's work in applying complexity theory...my own religious practice, if you will. What better than to have this gorgeous piece of artwork with me day and night to remind me of my life's compass and to express outwardly a philosophy that provides me with strength and solace.

 

and for the other geeks like me who get goosebumps over new scientific breakthroughs and read academic papers for fun, the ant is sort of a beacon.

 

Well put Curioti - thank you very much for taking the time to enlighten us on the reasons behind the design. You must derive great pleasure in just having the pen, let alone using it.

I too am very happy that people are enjoying the pictures of Henry's pens which, as you have said, are true works of art - I am so glad that this thread has brought so much pleasure to people.

 

George

[Ghost Plane]

Except for those of us it's driving nuts as we hunt for the design!

 

I'll know it when I see it.

[GeorgeWP]

Except for those of us it's driving nuts as we hunt for the design!

 

I'll know it when I see it.

 

Be positive GP - just think of the pleasure you will be experiencing from the day that you do

[Wolverine1]

I am waiting to see the Persian inspired design that Ghost Plane is working on. Also, I wonder if Henry will be willing to make another Ant overlay like Curioti's.

[Ghost Plane]

It's slow because the Persian Diversion fire-hosed me with information I have to pick thru to find what I have in mind.

 

Also, it may end up a different sort of Simpole with the design picked out in negative space, depending on what I settle on. :hmm1:

 

I'm more frustrated with myself because the back of my mind knows what I want, it's finding an example I can give Henry to work from that's driving me nuts. :bonk: And the darned real world keeps interfering.

[GeorgeWP]

I am waiting to see the Persian inspired design that Ghost Plane is working on. Also, I wonder if Henry will be willing to make another Ant overlay like Curioti's.

 

Wolverine1 - I don't think it would be up to Henry as to whether or not he would willing to make another pen of that particular design. The "Ants pen" was a commissioned piece - a one off - the cost of commissioned pieces is considerably higher than one of the standard designs. As no casts are taken, it is the original overlay that is attached to the pen. As I understand it the original design in these cases would belong to the client and not to Henry.

However, I am sure that Henry would be able to come up with a design in the same vein if you wished to commission a pen from him. Check out his website for the starting cost of bespoke designs.

 

George

[GeorgeWP]

 

Also, it may end up a different sort of Simpole with the design picked out in negative space, depending on what I settle on. :hmm1:

 

 

GP - I like the sound of that.

[Ghost Plane]

Just an update. Henry and I are nattering away back channels while I continue my rummage for the thing I "see" in my head. Interim, he's spotted another possibility in the pics I've flung his way.

 

We'll get there, but it won't be fast. At least on my end.

[Chris Chalmers]

From my sick-bed.............Hooray!!!!

A bump for the topic - and an apology from me...........still sick with this chest infection/flu/asthma that is proving hard to shift........but with the help of hefty meds I could visit my desk today and have a quick check of emails and this topic.:embarrassed_smile: flushed cheeks, streaming eyes :blink: strange reactions to some pills not quite my usual self missing everyone like mad............. :bonk: and unable to pick up a pen without making marks like a drunken spider in the ink!

there is light at the tunnel.............. :ph34r: unless it is a train????

Hugs (germ free) from here!

Edited December 12, 2009 by Chris Chalmers

[GeorgeWP]

From my sick-bed.............Hooray!!!!

A bump for the topic - and an apology from me...........still sick with this chest infection/flu/asthma that is proving hard to shift........but with the help of hefty meds I could visit my desk today and have a quick check of emails and this topic.:embarrassed_smile: flushed cheeks, streaming eyes :blink: strange reactions to some pills not quite my usual self missing everyone like mad............. :bonk: and unable to pick up a pen without making marks like a drunken spider in the ink!

there is light at the tunnel.............. :ph34r: unless it is a train????

Hugs (germ free) from here!

 

Hi Chris

Good to see you back - just sorry that you are not feeling better than you are.

Take care and get well soon.

[Ghost Plane]

You HAVE to get better Chris! Henry had one of his usual inspired moments of genius, so now it's back to me to hunt down the Persian Diversion for something. We're slowly creeping toward something that could get near a sketchpad and BECOME.

[fuchsiaprincess]

Hi Chris,

 

GP is right. You MUST get better soon. We miss you!

 

Soki xx

[Truffle Finder]

O.K. Ghost Plane, 'become..... what?', aren't you going to let us in on the secret?

We're all waiting here with bated breath, and you've left us all hanging there!

Pleased to hear that you are on the mend Chris, you wrap up warm and look after yourself!

Truffle Finder.

[Ghost Plane]

You have to wait for the dream pen.

[Chris Chalmers]

Thanks to everyone for their kind 'get well' wishes..........I am back at my desk for longer periods - but have missed so much, it seems!

 

I have a huge pile of letters to answer - and now have to put my lovely pens to the test to see which are still happy to write after such a lay-off!

 

Has George had time to post more pictures?

Has Henry had time to do any new pens?

Has Christmas happened yet?:blink:

What is my name?

Did FPN go off the air or was I dreaming?