I have been doing a lot of thinking lately about which direction my painting is going. More thinking than painting, actually. And when I think about my work it always helps me to put my thoughts down on paper. I have been doing this for a few years now, I’ve taken a photo of some of my recent “notebooks”. They are nice spiral bound drawing pads which makes them a pleasure to write in.
When I take a workshop I always write down my thoughts. I make notes about lessons I learn, both in art and in marketing, and when I get an idea for a painting I make little sketches. I don’t go back and read through them as often as I should, there are a lot of valuable reminders in those pages that I need to review. Everything from basic technical stuff like don’t have two things the same, to thoughts about why a particular direction didn’t work for me.
I recently started using a smaller spiral drawing pad for just sketches. But I keep my most recent notebook and a pen next to a comfortable chair in the living room, many evenings I sit down and write for 10 minutes and it somehow helps clear my head and make room for more thoughts. Ha, that’s all I need!
Really wise habits, Joan…
I don’t. I should but I don’t.
Actually, though in a way, blogging helps me revisit and re-evaluate my ideas and work…. but you do both!!
Thanks for showing these! Notebooks are invaluable… both my spouse and I keep several of them; including one each by the bed for the late night thoughts that wake us up… titles for painting, ideas for design, painting, etc.
Joan, that is very interesting. I do the same but I do it on the laptop. I have an ongoing “diary” or “journal” of my thoughts, reflections, ideas. I know if I do it on paper I shall probably lose it. The advantage of your way of course is that you can do little sketches at the same time. I have to do those in a sketch book!
This post inspired me to get back to my notebooks. I like the way you combine your sketches with your thoughts. When too many thoughts rumble around in my head, it’s time to write it all down. Thanks, Joan!