The artist...
In 2005, whilst looking for something to fulfil life beyond an ocean going career, I joined a local woodworking group.
My ambition has always been to work with timber, which was my father's lifetime career. This was my opportunity to expand my horizon and follow in his footsteps. I started with cabinet and box making. Whilst engaged in these pursuits, I discovered the art of wood turning and pen crafting.
Pen crafting has since become my craft, and I have developed a passion for working with high quality Australian and exotic timbers, precious metals, opals and other natural materials to create pens of heirloom quality. Some material are sourced outside of Australia.
Pens depicted in the "Pens for Sale" page are for immediate delivery. Custom orders should be completed within 3 - 6 weeks of a confirmed order. Customers can supply their own medium, to be crafted into the writing instrument.
What's in a name?
The name Simomatra is derived from two parts. The first part 'simo' is from the word 'simomat', which is the name of electronic equipment that I used in servicing engines. The last part 'matra' refers to food. I love to make hot curries. A person I sailed with in the seventies combined the two parts and devised the word - Simomatra. He said I should open a restaurant when I gave the sea away and this should be the name of it. I never started the restaurant but I have retained the name for other ventures.