Breakfast Pens photograph by Janet Takahashi

I eat pens – morning, noon and night. I  d e v o u r  them! They are part of daily nourishment. Elixir. Vitamin boost. Magic potion. DESSERT! Ink flows like blood through my fingertips and I write what I think, draw what I imagine.

Janet Takahashi's fountain pen collection

My pens are not for just collecting. Each has its own personality, makes its own mark: a hairline, flex, italic. And each requests its own ink color. Some pens are workhorses, “thinking pens,” others for finish work, drawings in my sketchbook and note taking. I especially appreciate the vintage pens that had a previous owner and can only imagine its writing life.