These elaborate and elegant drawings–which appear on vintage envelopes, maps and newspapers dating as far back as 1753–were all rendered with a common Bic biro ballpoint pen.
(Clicking one image will reveal a comprehensive gallery.)
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the cost of hope
speaking in tongues (prattle)
silver tongues and paper teeth
only shadows tell the truth (sunshine)
democracy
wings return to dirt (broken bandit machine)
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the preacher and the salesman (all lights are neon)
screaming silhouettes (homeless)
happiness makes me uncomfortable (history is a teacher)
claustrophobic speech
annie can now fly
you will drown in a wishing well with a pocket full of silver (through the window I could see the sun)
wound management
so long cruel world (nobody heard my silence)
short days
not even an echo of a prayer
no handcuffs only a leash (modern democracy)
insomniacs dream more
history lessons (firewood)
Mark Powell studied painting and drawing at the University of Huddersfield. Since graduating he has had shows in America, Europe, and across the United Kingdom.