My Black Book of Inspiration

I write a lot about soul in my blog posts on my therapy website as it’s something I think and feel about almost every day. So, I thought I’d share a personal project that is near and dear to my own soul and hopes it sparks creativity in yours.

I’m thrilled to have finally filled all 200 pages of what I refer to as “My Black Book of Inspiration.” I love the simplicity of black and white and so when my eyes caught glimpse of this simple hardbound sketchbook on the shelf of an arts and crafts store some years ago (was it 2008? 2010? 2012?), I knew I had to have it. I realized immediately that it would be the new home for all of the magazine and newspaper clippings I had begun collecting at the time. The project has continued to grow all these years and I just completed it on February 8th, 2019.

I started it either just before or soon after Pinterest came into being. One coffee-shop-goer once asked me quizzically, “Why don’t you just start a Pinterest page? It would be a lot less work than cutting and pasting everything into a book!” I thought, What’s the fun in that? Now, to be fair, I actually think Pinterest is a really cool thing, it’s just that I am a very tactile, analog type of gal and so the act of searching, cutting, gluing, holding, turning pages and touching them is a major part of the enjoyment factor for me. It’s why I would bother to take all those countless hours of at least seven or more years to create such a carefully curated book.

Loaded with fashion ads, shoots, and trends I loved at the time, interviews with fashion designers, articles and photos of artists or their art work, photos and illustrations of NYC and Central park, some lists I’ve jotted down, famous people who inspire me, some interior design shots, and much more—it is my own personal crème de la crème of inspiration.

A diptych I call "Hoffman Cats"

Tupac Shakur

Every time I look at it, I feel my creative juices start to flow. For me, that feeling is one of the most exciting reasons to be alive, thus my enduring commitment to this personal project. I can’t always explain why a certain image sparks inspiration in me, but they all do for one reason or another. A lot of the images come from older Elle magazines, The New Yorker, The New York Times…three of my favorite sources of inspiration (along with Architectural Digest…but that has its very own binder of interiors).

One of many Kate Spade handbag ads in the book

Although I may be the only person on the planet who cares remotely about this book, it is one of my most cherished possessions. When I imagine what I would quickly grab if my studio were burning down, this book is always the first item that comes to mind.

I shot these photos as a way to share glimpses of my special book with you. Hope you enjoy.

Click on any of the images below to see an expanded slideshow.