Art of the Arts.
Friday, December 18, 2009 at 12:41 PM in Art 
A “THOUGHT-SKETCH,” a little something to explain why I’ve been so pen and pencil obsessed over the past few days.
I’ve been asked about my love of fine writing instruments and rare paper, and my pursuit of the perfect notebook and pen. Some wonder why it’s so important to me, or what the difference is between a Montblanc fountain pen and a freebie BIC ballpoint. The obvious physical differences aside, I suppose that it’s similar to the differences between a Squarespace or TypePad paid blog, and a freebie Blogger site.
The significance of art, and its preservation:
Would the Declaration of Independence carry the same significance if it were scribbled on napkins with chalk?
I doubt that many people ask themselves, or others, this question very often (if ever); however, this is something that I consider regularly. If an artist doesn’t value his or her own work, should anyone else? If a writer doesn’t think that his blog is worth paying for, should you consider it worth reading?
People want to believe that the old adage, “don’t judge a book by its cover,” is followed — and believed — but it isn’t. Our culture has impressed upon us all the importance of aesthetics, advertising and marketing… and we give more credence to the claims of the financially supported (or otherwise famous) than those without similar backing.
I use fine paper to encourage fine writing…
Hopefully, I can create a fine all-around product. If I didn’t believe that I had considerable talent or skill in something, I wouldn’t waste the time or money. I don’t think that everyone should go out and buy $50 notebooks and $1,300 pens… I know that not everyone can afford it. However, there are finer things at a lower-pricepoint. Two-dollar pencils and ten dollar notebooks.
Opening a well-constructed notebook with beautiful paper sets a wonderful tone. Hovering above the page, uncapping a fine writing instrument, my mind becomes enveloped by the significance of the moment, the idea, the message, and my purpose.
I place importance on my work before I even begin, by placing importance on the facilitators of my creations — be it a notebook and pen, pencil and paper, or a computer and blogging service. I like to use products and services created by people who put every ounce of themselves into their craft in hopes of creating a masterwork. Knowing this, I try to do the same.
Reader Comments (5)
I think you've made a very persuasive argument for buying fine tools. I used to use whatever journals were nearby, but started buying nicer notebooks after I received one as a gift and appreciated keeping my thoughts somewhere that I felt did them justice.
I wanted to ask a question about your notebooks: How do you treat the first page of each one? I find that there's a lot of pressure for me to create something that sets the tone of the whole book, or to make an amazing first impression. I used to skip it, and say I'd come back when I had a really good idea, but now it's somewhat of a ritual for me to leave the first couple pages of each notebook blank.
ANDREA:
A worthy question, and relatively common amongst "avid" writers. My answer depends on the notebook. Often, the first page is a title page, or used for "if found" return info.
Many notebooks are constructed with the first page glued to a thicker page, the "cover page." Because of this, it's impractical to write at length on the front of the first page. With these notebooks, I skip the front of the first page, and start writing on the back. This allows me to have my first entry span the entire open area of the book.
Glue-bound, spiral and staple-bound notebooks have different characteristics. If the notebook lacks a title page, I'll skip the first page—forever. I see no reason to "come back to it." Even if I decided on something brilliant, it would have to be contained to the available space—I don't like that restriction.
Sometimes I'll put some new quote on the first page or before my first entry. Sometimes something classic and famous, sometimes something obscure. Often with my journals, I'll simply script the collective of present thoughts in some seemingly appropriate fashion. This also makes my journals obscure.
I don't really care what others might think; most of my journals are private, filled with handwriting designed specifically to be difficult for others to read. Perhaps that's why I like pencil so damned much; I can write small and light, and have the option to "write over it" with pen without losing the information.
I keep seven to ten notebooks active. I like to separate subject matter.
I really want some of Kikkerlandshop's Leuchtturm Notebooks, specifically the medium ruled and the medium dots. With something like the dot notebook, I might draw something kitschy on the front page—or even the cover—depending on my mood. Because art is never "finished," I'll go back and add to it over the "active life" of the notebook, dating additions if I can.
A very interesting thought. (: In a way writing your artwork on a piece of napkin or a cardboard box may not be a bad thing. Maybe it can add the vibe a writer is trying to tell their readers? Just a thought. I'm glad to know that there are people out there that actually care about the pencils and notebooks to write, because it does matter. I separate my subjects too! I have four journals active.
Moleskines are expensive. Even Piccadilly notebooks (a cheaper, but still aesthetically pleasing alternative) cost more than I'd ever considered I would pay for a notebook. And yet, when something costs real money, I am far more likely to use it. A three dollar mead notebook--like the ones I had to use in middle school-- are much more likely to be ignored, not just because they cost less than the price of cheeseburger, but also because they're just plain ugly.
Unfortunately, my handwriting is sloppy, childish, and just plain
bad. I often find it unpleasant to journal, because I know at the end of the entry, I will look back on what I've written and not feel proud of it, because of the handwriting. I suppose its true what you said, about the Declaration of Independence being written with chalk-- no matter how worthy the content is, if it looks slovenly and careless, what is there to value? Definitely something I need to work on. I'll be in England for two weeks at the end of the month, with very little to do. What better time to try improving that?@ Fithah
Kurt Vonnegut's novel, Hocus Pocus, was written on thousands of pieces of paper--from torn scraps to business cards--each sequentially numbered. Of course, it wasn't published like that. But I'm hoping someday it will be-- such a disheveled and manic format is most definitely in "vibe" with the author's narrative.
DANIEL:
Moleskine Notebooks aren't that expensive.
For the price, however, you can get better paper. Clairefontaine has an entire line of college-student type notebooks, soft and hard cover, for around $10. Rhodia offers a line of nice stuff, including a new Moleskine alternative called the Webnotebook.
Canteo offers nice stuff; Leuchtturm is also really cool.
The former is available at Nota Bené and latter at Kikkerlandshop. Leuchtturm has all of the standard varieties and dot grid, a "best of both" alternative to blank pages and grid. I've found the dot grid to be less-distracting; sometimes the solid graph paper lines get in the way and box in ideas, naturally leading to lesser results...
I don't think that I could ever have enough Leuchtturm 1917 or Canteo Classeur.
But about them Moleskines...
Hopefully you'll like my little Christmas gift.