“I can imagine in years to come that my papers and memorabilia, my journals and letters, will find themselves always in the company of people who care about many of the things I do.” — Alice Walker
A recent page from one of my art journals. As I sketched the osprey, I thought about all the times I had seen one, and good memories flooded my little gray cells. Illustration by Pat Bean
What I’m Reading
Ditto to what Alice Walker said. I can’t help but wonder where all my bins of journals will end up after I’m gone. Hopefully not in the trash, but that’s always a possibility.
An Illustrated Journey, the book I’m currently reading.
It would be nice if some of what I’ve lived through as a woman fighting for equal rights and equal pay found their way into a women’s center at some university. And it would be nice to think that some of my progeny, the greats, might want to know who know who I was.
Regardless, keeping my journals is simply something I have to do. It’s part of me and for me. It’s as if I must write it down for things to become real.
Meanwhile, I love reading other people’s journals. And since I’m beginning to add drawings to my own journals, I’m particularly enjoying “An Illustrated Journey: Inspiration from the Private Art Journals of Traveling Artists, Illustrators and Designers,” put together by Danny Gregory.
It’s a delightful book, with lots of tips on keeping an illustrated journal. And since each artist does it his or her way, I have lots of choices.
The Wondering Wanderer’s blog pick of the day.
Bean’s Pat: About Elephants http://tinyurl.com/m2l2r4z Our Journeys are all the Same.
Pat Bean's blog 
My late grandmother was very concerned about who would protect her treasures when she died. Growing up, I very distinctly remember saying, “Don’t worry grandma, I’ll protect your treasures.” I’ve had to part with a few things, but most of the stuff will have to pried out of my cold, dead hands.
Too bad I don’t have someone like you in my family Sherry. Thanks for commenting.
Back in 2008 I traveled to the Birmingham Museum of Art in Alabama to view its exhibit of Leonardo da Vinci’s drawings from the Biblioteca Reale in Turin. The exhibit featured 11 drawings, including Madonna of the Rocks (amazing!) as well as Leonardo’s Codex on the Flight of Birds. It was the codex I went to see. Your journal made me think of this.
I find what you find fascinating Alex, fascinating. I never thought I would remind someone of da Vinci.
As you mention, you might see if a women’s center can take some of your work. You may also consider approaching a college library, one that maintains collections that are related to things you care about. For example, my local university has an archive for WWII memorabilia, and a friend is considering donating photographs that her grandfather took while he was in the military. She wants to do it as a way to ensure that his photographs will always be protected and also so they can benefit future generations.
Wow. I’ll look into getting AN ILLUSTRATED JOURNEY. And your sketches are wonderful.
Thanks Marie