I met Mike Antkowiak at the St. Louis Pen Show several years ago and have followed him on Instagram since then.
Mike got his start with fountain pens early in life but didn’t really start using them until he discovered he could combine fountain pens with his love for drawing. Like so many of the people we have featured in Friday Friends so far, Mike has found more ways to use fountain pens and ink other than just writing. His work is inspiring and inspires me to consider other ways to usse and think about my inks.
Many folks may recognize some of Mike’s inky illustrations inspired by the names of the inks, particularly the series he’s created around the Sailor 50 States collection. He’s also created illustrations for the entire Sailor Studio line, Bungbox Tokyo metro series and the Pelikan Edelstein line.
He also flexes his creative muscles with 30 Days/30 inks and Inktober challenges.
His work has become so well-known among the pen community that he’s even done commission illustrations for Amarillo Stationery and Greg Hardy to name a few.
When Mike’s not filling his notebooks with inky illustrations, he is an architect in St. Louis and the “unofficial” creative director for the St. Louis Pen Show.
Be sure to follow Mike on Instagram and if you’re ever at the St. Louis Pen Show, stop by the registration table and say hello. Maybe Mike will even let you see one of his sketchbooks up close!
If you know someone we should feature here on Friday Friends (maybe its you?!?!) leave a comment below.
Mike’s stuff is amazing!