what secrets do sketchbooks hold? JOURNEY THROUGH LINES AND MEMORIES

"To practice any art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow. So do it." ~ Kurt Vonnegut

Sketchbooks! They're the best buddies of any artist. I've got nine I'm using on and off at the moment. Whenever I'm in a museum at some big artist’s retrospective, I want to see the art they made during childhood and their sketchbooks. So many things about an artist can be revealed through sketchbooks, it's a real curtain pull and an incredible treat. Sometimes you can see struggles, ideas emerging, composition variants etc. Looking into artist sketchbooks creates a very intimate connection with them and a different level of understanding of their process. My sketchbooks are my creative playground; a blend of lines and memories that play a huge role in my art practice. I have a special bond with my sketchbooks. Our relationship has nurtured my artistry and perspective over time.

Croatia, 2023

Over the years, they've amounted to a pretty impressive collection and each one serves a particular purpose. Some contain meticulous studies with fine details, others house quick, unrefined sketches – a rapid note of ideas before they fade away. 

Paris, 2022

My travel sketchbooks are in a different category altogether. Traveling and sketching are inseparable for me.  Unlike snapping a quick photo, sketching lets me really engage with a place. As I record what I found the most bemusing about the place, the sketch takes on life, and so does my memory of that vicinity. It's not just about recording what I see; it's about immersing myself in the location and absorbing everything as much as possible. It feels as if every sketch reinforces the bond between me and my memory of the place. This way, the places I've sketched are imprinted in my mind with vivid clarity.

This detailed process of sketching during my travels does more than preserve memories; it reshapes the way I see the world around me. As time passes, I instinctively dissect everything I see into simple shapes and lines. I get a better grasp of light and shadow and mentally organize the color palette for potential future paintings.

Toronto, 2020

The use of sketchbooks is an ongoing learning experience for me. They give me a platform to document and express my thoughts and ideas. Each one is a witness to my artistic evolution and advancement. My art practice among other things is about training my mind to observe and recall better, and my sketchbooks are the practicing ground for this.

Normandy, 2021

In retrospect, my collection of sketchbooks has always been my faithful ally, teaching me valuable lessons, fine-tuning my skills, and broadening my perceptions. The number of my sketchbooks might keep growing, but the essence and purpose of their use stays the same – to explore, create, and remember the beauty around me.