Marin Sketchbook 1951

This "Favorite Sketchbook" was John Marin's trusty companion, a place for crayon, pencil, pen, ink and watercolor. It shows us that even for a master like Marin, art-making begins with a simple, humble act: opening a sketchbook. Think of the possibilities held within these covers. The texture of the cardboard, the spiral binding–it's all so accessible. I love how the printing is slightly off-register, giving it a handmade feel, like a silkscreen print. Look at the "K" scrawled in the corner. Maybe it's an inventory mark, or maybe it's Marin's initial? This little mark speaks volumes about the book's use and history. Marin used sketchbooks like this throughout his career. It reminds me of the notebooks Cy Twombly used – an everyday object imbued with artistic potential. It's a reminder that art isn't always about grand gestures; it can be found in the quiet, personal act of filling a page.