I recently purchased these books. Both have inspired in me the creation of sketchbooks and journals that are real. Creativity as a part of the journey of life; the visceral pleasure of the tactile; the putting of paint on paper. The journey from looking to seeing and translating the mark, a view, an idea, a colour palette. I love my online journey but miss the time spent filling sketchbooks, not always knowing what for, some would be useful, some not. Even now, I refer back to journals, scrapbooks and sketchbooks from art college and when I was a freelance designer.
In Orla Kiely's Pattern book, a book I had resisted getting because her language is so strong and directed, I loved reading about her own creative journey from her first experiments as a child and the progression of her career and business. I loved the simple way she puts her visual inspirations together so I am now waiting for a parcel of notebooks from Muji, inspired to do the same.
David Hockney's, A Yorkshire Sketchbook created in April 2004 has inspired me to take my watercolours next time I'm in Yorkshire and pay homage to his beautiful county. I love the tonal studies and his capturing of the great sweeps of the landscape.
I am also finding guidance and inspiration here to get me through the back end of winter and maintain my creative flow.
