Hello all here at the only US Ball Point Pen Art forum on the WEB. I wanted to write this message to the group as a helpful note and also present descriptions of the art work that I have done for the Historical Landmarks Groups in my area. My ball point pen art has been known in my small area in northwestern Ohio for a short time when I was approached by a board member to the Allen County Branch of the Historical Landmarks Society. The lady there asked if I only worked in ball point pen. I told her that I did but that I preferred ball point pen because of the wonderful half tones and the ease of use of the medium. She said that she wanted me to come to one of their meetings and present my artwork to the board. They were looking for an artist who could represent the various historical buildings and landmarks in the Allen County area. So I went. After presenting my work they told me that they were amazed that a person could get the amount of detail and different shades or tones in a drawing done entirely in ball point pen. Up to that point they had only seen work in watercolor and Pen & Ink (technical pens). They wanted me to do their next two drawings for them (2003 & 2004) but, that they really wanted them done in Pen & Ink technical pens to go along with the other series of works that they had commissioned. So, I agreed to do them for the group. But, I told them that these would be the ONLY Two I would do in this medium for them. I stand by my Ball Point Pen art medium. They agreed with that. I said all that to say this. Sometimes to get folks in the everyday world to open their eyes to what the ball point pen has to offer as an art medium you may first have to open the door with something more commonly known to them like Pen & Ink. If I wouldn't have done this then they would not have asked me to do the drawings for them and it would not have lead to me doing the next in SIX series of drawings for them. Once I got their confidence in my ability to meet their needs I was able to open up there minds to accepting my Ball Point Pen Art. I will be doing a Set of Six drawings of historical importance to the Lima, Allen County Area in the next year and a half or so. The pieces in the collection will be of my Own Choosing. Not theirs. They now trust my judgment and abilities enough to let Me be the Artist as it should be. It is one thing for a person or group to tell you what they want and it is entirely another when they give you the Freedom to Create and do what Your God Given ability has to offer. The first drawing I did for them was the Metropolitan Block building. It was built in 1902 and is still standing today. Thanks largely to the efforts of the Historical Landmarks Group. It has housed many different businesses over the years as well as provided apartments to over 50 individuals. It currently only has 3 businesses in it's lower and second floor spaces. The rest of the building is vacant. I spent many hours as a boy with my cousin in and out of the hardware and dime store that occupied the main floor. We would ride our bikes up town and shop for just the right baseball or toy soldier then ride up and down the elevator till the manager would show us out and on our way. It was a great honor to do this piece and it has since been put on file with the Allen County Museum through the National Historical Society. The second drawing I did for them was of the Allen County Memorial Hall building. It was built originally as a War Memorial to all Allen County Veterans. Over the years it has taken on the roll of Art Gallery for students and adults alike in the various open shows from year to year. It was also a concert hall as the center of the building has a large performance stage and orchestra pit. I remember as a child performing Christmas programs there and having my school art hung in the halls for all of Lima to see. What a wonderful privilege for me to draw it as a continuing memorial to it and all those who have fought to preserve our freedom! Never be ashamed of your medium. The ball point pen is a wonderful tool and we can move it into a place of honor if we keep on creating. We just have to be open to the doors that come up to us and be brave enough to step on through. It is a beautiful place on the other side if you take that step. Trust me it will come. Keep on Creating! Vincent D. Whitehead