Greetings And Hello :)

[Dane]

Hello to everyone,

My name is Dan, and I hale from the high desert in southern California.

About 2 years ago I discovered this wonderful website. As fate would have it at just about the same time I had many disruptive and traumatizing events happen in my life. So many of my goals and plans were derailed. In many ways I am still in the process of healing. Thank God that this year I am once again getting back on track. I am setting up a new art studio, and headed back in a good direction.

In so many ways I believe happiness, success and quite a few other things in life are, to a degree, an important choice. I don't think that it would be a stretch of the imagination to say that using fine writing instruments is a related choice. To me, its a small voice wanting an incremental bit more individualism, a bit more grace in line, and something that touches the edges of the simple and elegant timelessness of artistic beauty.

I can say with some certainty that my interest in fountain pens started on the day my mother gave me a company Esterbrook that my father no longer used for work. I was in grade school. I still have that pen. I've collected a few pens here and there, and as the years went by I can now say I have an interesting little collection.

As an artist, perhaps we see the world somewhat differently? I think its more probable that we are taking the time to do so. Fine writing instruments are a direct expression of the entire artistic process of paying attention to each nuance of weight, color, balance, FEEL, and emotional response.

Just like with fine art, it is my considered opinion that if ever the day comes that people no longer care about HOW they write, and what they write WITH, something idelably important to our identity and souls will have faded away. An actual mark. On actual paper, held by the hand that wrote those letters, creates a far more tangible connection to the person who had those thoughts, who wrote those words down, than any typed or printed or emailed version could possibly achieve.

An artists palete, and a pen collection, are both an invitation to explore each and every piece of it and to find out where it leads.

So yes, I think that fine writing instruments offer more than something cheap and generic. They offer the whispered invitation to find out something more, something about ourselves.

A fine journey, with the hope and expectation of happiness, isn't that a great metaphor for LIFE?

I look forward to many an interesting and insightful conversation on the FPN site, and to making new friends. Dan

[PAKMAN]

Hello and Welcome back to FPN!! Glad to have you join back in!!

[gordonhooker]

Hello Dan welcome back to the forum.

[notVirtuThe3rd]

Hi! Welcome to FPN.

I'm really glad you've joined us.

Enjoy!

Best wishes from Japan,

VirtuThe3rd

[Clancy]

Hello Dan and welcome to FPN. It's great to have you here with us.

[Dragonmaster Lou]

Welcome back!

[Sasha Royale]

Welcome, Dan !

 

Is there a company name on your father's Esterbrook ?

[ThomasB]

Hello and welcome from Baton Rouge, Louisiana...Enjoy your time here

[Imbad17]

Welcome and enjoy this wonderful resource.

[Dane]

Hello and Welcome back to FPN!! Glad to have you join back in!!

Thank you PAKMAN! I hope life is treating you well in Arkansas. And I do suspect that you have a few pens on hand, perhaps even a couple lol.

[Dane]

Hello Dan welcome back to the forum.

Thank you GordonOZ. Do you have an interest in oil painting out there in Australia?

[Dane]

 

Hi! Welcome to FPN.

I'm really glad you've joined us.

Enjoy!

Best wishes from Japan,

VirtuThe3rd

 

Thank you VirtuThe3rd from California Thank you for the wonderful welcome! I will have to watch your video and see what its about It sounds interesting from the title.

[Dane]

Hello Dan and welcome to FPN. It's great to have you here with us.

A welcome from a fellow Californian! Thank you Clancy

[Dane]

Welcome back!

Thank you Dragonmaster Lou I appreciate the welcome!

[Dane]

Welcome, Dan ! Is there a company name on your father's Esterbrook ?

Hello Sasha, and thank you for the welcome Someday, when I get the time I'd love to pick up more German It reads Bell System Property lol.

[Dane]

Hello and welcome from Baton Rouge, Louisiana...Enjoy your time here

Thank you Thomas for the nice welcome! How is life out in Baton Rouge?

[Dane]

Welcome and enjoy this wonderful resource.

Thank you Imbad17. I have the feeling I will be learning a lot over the next few months

[Dane]

I'd like to thank you all for such a wonderful welcome to the website I live out in the country and the internet connection is rather sketchy, so I tend not to try and spend much time on line. If I get to town and connect, I play catch-up haha.

Is anyone familiar with Old Chap? Dan

[Wahl]

Hi Dan,

[j-e-g]

Greetings Dan...

 

I hope this year is your best ever