Our Putting Pen To Paper series, features different individuals & showcases what they use their favourite notebook for. It could be for to-do lists, sketching, song writing, illustrations, notes, daily gratitudes & everything in between.

Name

Bobby Clark

Occupation

I am an artist and photographer. I also am a Free-lance Creative Director, brand advisor and was teaching Creative Direction and Photography at Whitehouse Institute of Design before I had my baby.

Plain or Lined paper?

Ooooooo. I used to be all about the lined. I love the structure of writing on lined paper, it reminds me of school, but I have recently switched to plain. There’s nothing better than a fresh page in a note book.

When do you put pen to paper? 

Constantly. I NEVER take notes or doodle on a computer. Every morning when I arrive at the studio I start with writing my daily to do list. I always scribble notes during a meeting and keep a notebook beside my bed for the just-before-sleep ideas. If I don’t write on paper it doesn’t stay in my head. Even if I do notes on a computer if I have forgot my notebook – I always re-write them. It’s like the physicality of writing etches it in my brain. 

What inspired the Pen to Paper in your images?

I photographed my morning studio routine. I sit at this table with a cup of tea or coffee every morning and do the same thing.  I had been putting off photographing this series as I’ve not been feeling too hot, a mix of ISO and too many pastries. I usually try make an effort when I’m shooting. Do my make-up, choose an outfit but I just decided to photograph the Pen to Paper images on a shit day. Unwashed hair, my comfy studio jumper that’s cover in stains, because that’s real life. 

What does journaling look like to you/how do you journal? 

Journaling for me has always been routine. A part of daily life. I love to write. My favourite subjects and the only ones I was any good at were, Art and English. I always kept a diary as a little girl. They are hilarious to read back on. I have a terrible memory and dementia runs in my family so it’s very important for me to leave behind my stories, especially now that I can pass them on to my son Jimmy one day. I bought a beautiful leather journal for my mum for her 50^th for her to write about her life for us to read one day, but it’s been 11 years and it still sits unopened gathering dust. I hope one day she will feel inspired to use it. 

Feeling creative & want to put pen to paper yourself? Start here with this favourite notebook of Bobby's.

Follow Bobby on Instagram HERE & Shop her beautiful work HERE

Imagery by Bobby Clark