Ballpoint Pen Portraits on Vintage Maps and Stationary

You’d never know by looking at his ballpoint pen portraits on vintage maps and stationary, but London-based artist Mark Powell originally enrolled in art school purely by accident. After years of everything from having nowhere to live to a course tutor telling him he was a terrible artist, he graduated and headed across the pond for shows in a few American spots. His style and medium of choice have evolved over the years into the fantastic pen and ink works you see here. They’re all drawn with a traditional Bic ballpoint pen because Powell “wants to show how easy it is to have the chance the create.” Powell also draws exclusively on vintage papers—maps, stationary, envelopes and magazine covers—for a unique background. If you’re interested in more than just Internet window shopping, Powell’s work is available through his website. Open edition prints start at $40. Limited edition prints start at $94. Originals start at $169. Regardless of which piece you choose, it’s going to be unlike anything else in your collection.