Featured Artist: Tom Blake - Rivertown Penworks
For resin artist and pen turner Tom Blake, a bit of magic goes into transforming a resin blank into a custom ink pen.
“The way a project turns out is just so organic,” he said recently. “You can start with an idea of how you want it to look. But then the colors swirl, and you really don’t know what it’s going to look like until you finish shaping and polishing it.”
Fortunately, Tom’s creations end up as one-of-a-kind creations packed with color, sparkle and intricate marbling. You can find what he’s working on and unique creations for sale in his recently launched online shop Rivertown Penworks.
The most striking thing about Tom’s resin art is his color play. He isn’t afraid to experiment with different micas, palettes or mediums. Hybrids, for example, which are resin blanks made with an integrated material like wood or coffee beans, are a new interest, and Slice of the Moon’s glow-in-the-dark pigments are a favorite epoxy colorant.
A Glow-in-the-Dark Hybrid
One of his latest, an eye-catching cigar pen – made with resin, neon blue-green mica and recycled resin drippings – is the perfect example of Tom’s color artistry. It looks just as great in the light as it does with the lights turned out.
Looking at his creations, you can't help but want to try epoxy out yourself. And if you ask Tom, he says you should jump in and do it. You might start with a YouTube video or two, he says, but then you've got to take the plunge.
Just don't be too hard on yourself. One tip that was shared with him and he likes to pass on to new resin turners is: “Some projects turn out, some don’t. But just give it a shot, and don’t quit.”
Want to try resin turning? See tips for getting started in our guide: "Resin Turning 101: How to Create Epoxy Blanks for Turning Projects".
Support the Artist
Follow Rivertown Penworks on Facebook to see Tom's latest creations and epoxy experiments.
Follow Rivertown Penworks:
Visit Tom’s shop Rivertown Penworks on Facebook.
Get in Touch:
For inquiries about custom orders, send the shop a message on Facebook or reach Tom directly at tblake@rivertownpenworks.com.
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