A record of new thoughts and a receptacle of old ideas

Still working on a bit of journal-related research over here. As I mentioned last week, I've ended up with an unexpected side project: a small -- but growing! -- list of quotes from an interesting range of journal-keepers regarding their reasons for journal writing. I thought it might be fun to share as I go along.

Today's quote is from Ralph Waldo Emerson, who wrote in his journal on January 25, 1820 at age 16:

"These pages are intended at their commencement to contain a record of new thoughts (when they occur); for a receptacle of all the old ideas that partial but peculiar peepings at antiquity can furnish or furbish; for tablet to save the wear and tear of weak Memory, and, in short, for all the various purposes and utility, real or imaginary, which are usually comprehended under that comprehensive title Common Place book."

From The Heart of Emerson's Journals, edited by Bliss Perry

The rigorous diary

Why do we journal? What is the purpose of our journals? What do we use them for?

I have been doing a bit of research on diaries and journals and have become a little obsessed with these questions. The answers are so varied and so fascinating that I started to collect quotes from some of the journals I have encountered in my research. They only offer tiny glimpses, of course, but I thought I'd share some of them with you as I go along.

Today's quote is from C.S. Lewis, who wrote in his diary on June 20, 1923 at age 24:

"Decided at whatever cost of labour to start my diary rigorously again, which has been dropped during Schools, as I think the day to day continuity helps one to see the larger movement and pay less attention to each damned day in itself . . . "

From All my road before me: the diary of C.S. Lewis, 1922-1927, edited by Walter Hooper

Work in progress

A lot of the time, Illustrator is my sketchbook. I've been experimenting with patterns, but I'm finding I'm a bit stuck. Here's a pic of my screen today:

I'm still thinking about how I might add it to my journal work. Hmm. I'll keep you posted.

On my desk

Today I'm writing lightning round questions and doodling purple and yellow wildflowers.

What are you up to?

A little sketch

This one's teeny, only 3.5"x5". I tried a new approach today with lots of water on the paper before I started painting. It wasn't at all what I expected, but I thought I'd post it anyway. Now, back to work on that new set of journal pages.