My sketchbooks are where I have therapeutic conversations with myself (as I’ve mentioned in previous posts) and my sketchbooks are both a tool for exploring life and a place to store the artifacts I discover.
Life is meant to be enjoyed and it's helpful to explore our own inner life in order to discover and remember what it is that we enjoy. (How easily we forget!) So sketchbooks are where I practice! BTW I dont think you have to be an artist or writer in order to do these life explorations. You don't have to be “good" at drawing or writing. Keeping a sketchbook is about exploring, playing, thinking and remembering. Here's a wonderful book that I love, and use often, for the fun exploring tips for any skill level. I even reminds readers how to explore the world even if you don't get out of your chair! This book treat is titled “How to be an explorer of the world” by Keri Smith.
As far as tools go: any blank books and pens or pencils that inspire you to play with them are the best kind to get! Here's a list of my favorite exploration tools: (from left to right) small bound blank books, TWISBI Eco fountain pen, a water brush, Micron 005 felt tip pen, Kuratake brush pen, Tombo calligraphy pen and watercolor pencils. Not pictured is my travel watercolor set.
And here's a list of favorite places to get tools from. (I'm not affiliated with any of these places. No $ kickbacks for mentions.)
Paper Blanks https://www.paperblanks.com/en/
Oblation Papers and Press https://www.oblationpapers.com/
Jet Pens https://www.jetpens.com/
St Louis Art Supply https://shop.stlartsupply.com/
Artists and Craftsmen https://artistcraftsman.com/
On a related topic here's a look at one of my sketchbooks that I created a few years ago using the above mentioned art supplies.
I reproduced that sketchbook as a limited edition print book and titled it “Another Sketchbook”. I’m using the same idea fine artists have when they create an original painting and make an edition of art prints. Except I'm making reproductions of books. You can see my whole reproduced sketchbook and have it mailed to you via the link or you can see it in person at the Aurora Gallery.
I wish you many fun filled days of exploring! As a wise man once told me “Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly at first”. One step at a time, one drawing at a time, one bit of writing at a time…
What resonates most with me from today's post is the notion of being the librarian and museum curator of what is in my heart and mind.