This week’s addict came to me via a tip from a reader (Thanks Raymond!), and I was delighted to see this story: Nancy Hanst has kept a food diary since 1962. I love Nancy’s stacks of little spiral-bound notebooks, and her consistency in keeping them for over 50 years! From Nancy’s article: So, here … Continue reading Notebook Addict of the Week: Nancy Hanst→
Here’s a post with some great tips and inspiration for keeping a sketchbook, from illustrator Chad Townsend: How to Keep a Sketchbook. From the article: What to carry: Nothing fancy! It doesn’t have to be a high dollar sketchbook. Remember, you’re going to wreck it anyway. What you DO need is something small and portable … Continue reading Tips for Keeping a Sketchbook→
Helen Ström is an artist who was born in Sweden, grew up in Spain, and now lives in Paris. I don’t remember how I discovered her blog but I love her beautiful sketches: See more at Helen Ström: Moleskine. Her watercolors are wonderful too!
This week’s addict won one of my giveaways (the Halaby Aero notebooks), and just happened to mention that he already had quite a collection. Of course I asked for photos! Zachary says: “I’m an architecture student so I’ve gone through four years of trying find the perfect sketchbook/notebook and another four years of still … Continue reading Notebook Addict of the Week: Zachary→
This classic composition notebook belonged to Jim Morrison of the Doors: “On December 18, 2013, auction house Profiles In History sold an original Jim Morrison poetry notebook for its opening estimate of $200,000. It was a lengthy example, containing over 100 pages of handwritten material, and came from the collection of singer-songwriter Graham Nash.” Read … Continue reading Jim Morrison’s Notebook→
Not 100% notebook related, but pretty cool! Lowriders in Space was recently named a best children’s book of 2014 by Kirkus Reviews. The illustrator, Raul Gonzalez, did all the artwork in Bic pens, and says “The reason I did this is that I wanted the book to have a very accessible book to youngsters out … Continue reading A Kids Book Illustrated Entirely in Ballpoint Pens→
This week’s addict sent me an email about her notebook addiction: “The name is Kim and I have been an notebook addict unofficially since 1996 but officially since 2001. When I discovered this website it made me realize I am not alone out there and people understand the obsession these magical books posses! One of … Continue reading Notebook Addict of the Week: Kim→
This is a notebook belonging to Romaine Brooks, whose papers are kept in the Archives of American Art and were digitized in 2012. The notebook contained is from the 1950s and “contains lists and Romaine’s thoughts.” I’ve always loved her paintings for their stark look and interesting female subjects, such as this one: See more … Continue reading Romaine Brooks’ Notebook→
Here’s another book I’ve been thinking about adding to my collection: Photographers’ Sketchbooks. Since it’s photography, not all of the “sketchbooks” are traditional paper ones, though a couple are shown below. From the review linked below: “This book is comprised of over 500 illustrated pages featuring the tangible objects that help these photographers realize their … Continue reading Photographers’ Sketchbooks→
I love stories about notebook fans who turn to producing their own dream notebooks when they can’t find them anywhere else! Justin Woo wrote to me with his own tale of how the Object Series notebook was born: “I had never come across a notebook I was actively searching for: black, flexible leather cover with … Continue reading Review: Object Series Notebook→
Notebooks, journals, sketchbooks, diaries: in search of the perfect page…