Back in 2010, I decided I wanted to create some op-art (optical illusion artwork) by hand using pen and ink. I have always been a fan of op-art of all kinds because of the way it affects the cones and rods in your eyes.
It can be extremely psychedelic and quite the visual experience.
I only wanted to create 3 pieces total and try something different with each one. Maybe a simpler one with a more adventuresome design and then one that would challenge me with it’s complexity.
I used illustration board, a ruler, compass, staedtler .007mm mechanical pencil and prismacolor black ink pens.
The first thing I do is to figure out how the piece will be divided in quadrants. Then I measure each section and break it down into even measurements that create the black and white rays. As soon as one side is finished, it is flipped and mirrored on each side.
Now the first bit of fun begins! I start drawing the actual lines that will connect to all of the various points I have decided. Once that is done, I make a small mark in graphite on every other shape and HOPE that I didn’t fuck it up. Then I been the process of inking each area that has a mark in it until the entire piece is complete.
Here are the 3 pen and ink op-art pieces:
It took a ridiculously long time but the third pen and ink op-art piece was started and completed in Oct-Nov 2025.
But, I also only create art when I am inspired or motivated to do so.
Sometimes, just the sheer act of beginning, even if you don’t even know what it’s going to be creates inspiration and the project starts creating itself.
My intention when I first started working on these was that I wanted each one to have a different feeling. The first one felt like a vortex tunnel. The second one felt like multiple vortexes that were all opening simultaneously. And the third one felt like a musical vibration, as I have been playing keyboards in 4 bands currently so I feel that it got infused into my design with subliminal intention.
To me, that is magical. I live for those moments because they are why you create art in the first place. It is a feeling of connection, insight, awareness, light and love.
