Quo Vadis Blog

The purpose-driven notebook

Stephanie forwarded a link to this terrific post at A Penchant for Paper about deciding what to do with a new Habana notebook.

Should I just keep it for the future? … Perhaps it would be better suited to a pocket-sized, portable sketchbook? Or perhaps I could use it to write poetry in. Or perhaps to keep notes on the books that I am reading, and lists of books I want to read in the future. Or perhaps…

I often purchase notebooks for specific purposes — a Bloc No. 8 to use as a reporter’s notebook (fits handily into back pockets), a Steno pad to keep on my desk for work-related to-do lists (the red line down the center helps divide essential from inessential tasks). But there’s something really lovely about getting a notebook without a specific task in mind. There’s the sky’s-the-limit joy of speculating about potential uses, and the joy of experimentation, then the joy of discovery when you find the use that fits…

Mind you, I’m not trying to endorse mindless consumerism here (buy now! think later!). I just think it’s nice to be open to possibilities.

What’s the best way to view online art?

We just started working with Wet Paint Art in very cool pass-around project. Here’s the plan: we send them a Clairefontaine sketchpad, and they ask the artists that visit their store to draw, paint, watercolor, etc. on one of the pages. As each page is completed, Wet Paint Art sends us digital pictures of the work along with a bio of the artist, and we put it up online.

Question is, where do we share all this fabulous art with our fans? A Flickr group? Here? On a new blog that’s dedicated to the project?

Next question: if we were to pass around another art book—I imagine it would have to go through the mail, but who knows—would any of you like to participate?

Thanks!