Ariel Kullock Texas Overlay on MB 149

[Bisquitlips]

I just received this yesterday as a special order from Mr. Kullock. Being born and reared in Texas, this one is special to me. Also, I proposed to my lovely wife at the Alamo under a huge live oak tree and so this work incorporates just about everything that is dear to me about the Holy Land... Texas.

This pen is extremely well done and being hand engraved and etched makes it that much more splendid. Mr. Kullock does superb work and I will be ordering two more with our pen club putting in orders for at least 4. It has a Broad Stub nib.

I find it delightful to purchase an engaging work of art that also feeds a parallel passion that is personally meaningful.

Photo credits: These are Ariel's photos. But my pen is every bit as lovely!

[Jon Szanto]

A remarkable piece of artwork, with a deeply personal meaning behind it. Don't forget, not all can *afford* these kind of projects, as well, so your good fortune also shows in that regard. I've seen his pieces both in person and in photos and it is always stunning, and I've met him at the LA pen show. As nice a person as his artistry is strong. Congratulations and thanks for sharing.

[ethernautrix]

Wow, Ariel's work is AMAZING!

What a special pen! Thanks for sharing!

[jar]

Looking good.

Why Texas and what pen club?

[kazoolaw]

Guess rumors of his retirement were greatly exaggerated!
That 149 is truly a trophy pen. Do you have an estimate of the weight of the overlay?
Thanks for sharing with very nice photos.

[Bisquitlips]

Guess rumors of his retirement were greatly exaggerated!
That 149 is truly a trophy pen. Do you have an estimate of the weight of the overlay?
Thanks for sharing with very nice photos.

I estimate about 1/3 ounce.

[Bisquitlips]

Looking good.

Why Texas and what pen club?

Born and grew up in Texas Jim.

We have a private group of friends and coworkers who love all things pens.

[Shane Cavitt]

I generally lean toward the plain, simple and understated when it comes to my pens. However, that is simply beautifully done. Being a fellow Texan I find the subject and rendition compelling as well. Congrats on a beautiful pen!

[Bisquitlips]

I generally lean toward the plain, simple and understated when it comes to my pens. However, that is simply beautifully done. Being a fellow Texan I find the subject and rendition compelling as well. Congrats on a beautiful pen!

Yes, this is one of those purchases that are not decided on every day. Perhaps every 10 years or so. But that is just my lesser opinion.

I could have acquired 10 nice FPs for the same money, but this is truly an art.

Sometimes in life, you need to buy a "work", not just an object.

[Bisquitlips]

A remarkable piece of artwork, with a deeply personal meaning behind it. Don't forget, not all can *afford* these kind of projects, as well, so your good fortune also shows in that regard. I've seen his pieces both in person and in photos and it is always stunning, and I've met him at the LA pen show. As nice a person as his artistry is strong. Congratulations and thanks for sharing.

Thanks, Jon,

I know about the affordability. But we have worked hard for decades and so splurging occasionally is totally OK for us. Whether it is a trip to overseas or a nice FP or some other passion. To us, money is not just to be saved, but used to acquire memories.

I proposed to my wife at the Alamo. Sitting together on the southwest lawn under this huge live oak tree that I can still take her to, I will never forget her expression or her response. When I received the pen yesterday, I handed it to her and she took a look at it and her voice cracked a little when she spoke. She saw the live oak that I had Mr. Kullock engrave on his engraving/cut of the Alamo and that seemed to be enough. Mission accomplished!

I remember the day I proposed I told her prior to visiting the Alamo that morning.... "Today, another man will fall at the Alamo"! She didn't understand at that moment and questioned me all the way there. "Is there a reenactment battle going on? Is there some kind of fair"? Of course, she did understand afterward.

And today, I am still a fallen man...

[penwash]

Now that's one special fountain pen that pushes the bar way up!

I am glad that you had the insight to commission Mr. Kullock to produce this.

I'm curious with the process of how those icons ended up as ornaments on the pen.
Did you send photos of Texas landmarks?
Or did you send him a narrative and he did the rest?
Or some other ways?

Amazing either way!

[Bisquitlips]

Now that's one special fountain pen that pushes the bar way up!

I am glad that you had the insight to commission Mr. Kullock to produce this.

I'm curious with the process of how those icons ended up as ornaments on the pen.
Did you send photos of Texas landmarks?
Or did you send him a narrative and he did the rest?
Or some other ways?

Amazing either way!

Ariel can create anything you would want in pen overlays. He is intelligent and inventive.

When I commissioned this work, I chatted with Michelle and we went from there. She conveyed any changes to his standard design and we were off. I indicated my history in Texas, my rearing, education, (UT Texas), the proposal to my lovely wife at the Alamo, and so on.

And Texas itself is not lacking when it comes to inspiration. Long Horns, the Texas flag, Dallas skyline, the UT clock tower, and other iconic symbols unique to the "Holy Land". Ariel added the spirit to the pen. Even the colors and the natural stones in the Texas map representation are native. There is a lot going on for sure.

Also, the pen was supposed to take 2 weeks to create and get to me. It took almost 8. Not really a problem as Michelle was very good at communicating.

[whichwatch]

What a fantastic work of art with a great back story! Congratulations on this wonderful keepsake.

[Sandy]

OK, idiot question. Who is Ariel Kullock?

[jar]

Gentleman who first made a splash creating fantasy Parker "51" bodies and Sheaffer bodies.

[Sandy]

Thank you. Now, I'm less of an idiot.

[Bisquitlips]

https://www.facebook.com/ariel.kullock.3

This will give a bit more info.

[Bisquitlips]

Thank you. Now, I'm less of an idiot.

No sir. You are definitely not an idiot! Idiots are the ones that won't ask any questions!

[An old bloke]

Lovely art that!

[Frank]

Absolutely Stunning!
Ariel bought several MB 149 Pens at the John Hall Estate Auction at the Triangle Pen Show (Raleigh)...
You might enjoy knowing this was (possibly) one of John's personal pens!

Frank