Hunter/Gatherer

I carry my moleskine almost everywhere I go — it’s my calandar, it’s my reference book, it’s my crossword-puzzle-holder, it’s my playground,it’s my portfolio, it’s my storybook, it’s my notebook, it’s my refuge, it’s my science lab, it’s my hospital, it’s my diary. I’m not sure what I did before my discovery of these sketchbooks, and I can never see myself without one. They’re beyond just sketchbooks to me, they’re complete extensions of myself, where I can be un-selfconcious and immediate and unreserved. Some magic happens in these books that I never quite expected — and as I unwrapped the fourth moleskine I’ve ever owned, the transformation that these books go through becomes strikingly obvious. The white edges of the pages collect finger grease, city grime, or purse detritus – the book swells and the covers bend to accommodate. The front has been carved into, the back was used as a gouache palette once. Compared with the pristine new book, the one I’m shelving truly does look worse for wear. It has acquired a lot of miles in this past year and I’m proud it shows.





I can’t help but get sentimental! These books are invaluable to me, both as tools, and as objects. Since many people ask, here’s the lowdown: I use the 5.5″ x 8.5″ sketchbook, which I always remember has the lavander label at the art store. The 100 pages are somewhere between cardstock and bristol board – they’re super smooth and hold up well to pen/pencil/erasing/ink/gouache/collage-work, but it doesn’t absorb water media very well. I have accidentally bought the notebook moleskine which has standard paper weight (with more pages), which is great for quick pen or pencil sketches, but doesn’t hold up to much else. So, whatever to suit your needs. Moleskine’s line has expanded so much, I’m pretty sure there’s one for everything. Go wild!

In other news, I “graduated” college, which meant walking across the stage to receive an empty diploma holder with 6 credits to complete become graduated on paper. So, my last classes this summer are two sessions of “advanced” painting – which gives me my own studio space, my very own 10′ x 13′ room to trash. At first I was overwhelmed by having four white walls to sit inside all day but I’ve been slowly filling the walls with crap to stare at. I can sit and stew in my maniac neurotic tendencies without worrying about cleaning brushes or putting away buckets of gesso. Spending 40 hours a week in an art cubicle makes some weird things happen, and maybe something good.

My garden is out of control and taking over the back deck. I planted seeds earlier in the season thinking that nothing would grow, and little did I know…super powered basil and tomatoes! And carrots and beets and bell peppers and watermelon!