There's truly nothing like "meeting" a writer through their own handwritten diaries, with the added treat of illustrations in the margin! THANK YOU Jillian for yet another unique discovery. I can't begin to imagine what it must have felt like to flicker through the pages of Plath's very own diary, so close to her and yet so far.
While I am far from Plath's multiple talents, I do feel inspired and reassured that illustrating my thoughts before writing them down on the page was also something that an author of her standing adopted the process, too. :) Looking forward to your next piece!
Never thought I'd stumble upon such an insightful post here (I'm new to substack)! Thank you for sharing! Ps. Is anybody else surprised by her handwriting? It feels so... Bubbly, even cheerful... Any thoughts on this?
Welcome to Substack! Happy to have you here! And, yes, I had the same reaction to her writing when I saw a photocopy as a teenager. I felt like she was my contemporary!
I'm fascinated with combining visual art and writing. I have zero visual art talent and little writing expertise and or experience... but the joy (for me) is in the process. Sylvia Plath was sprinkled with fairy dust in the talent department. I absolutely love these deep dives, they inspire and give me glimpses of truly talented people that walk the earth among us. Thank you for your work.
It's all process! And enjoying it is, I think, the secret of really creative people. If you don't enjoy the process--no matter how much talent fairy dust--creativity just won't happen.
Had no idea she was such a talented illustrator as well ! Thanks so much for sharing (and for the incredible quality of your posts always). In the likes of Peter Beard or Jacques Henri Lartigue, the photo-journal style is definitely one of my favorite medium to read stories. Curious if you know the “scientific” reason (if there is one) behind why that specific form of telling stories speaks to us so much? Thanks again !
What an interesting question. I don't know off the top of my head, but I imagine there's something about mixed-media that hits us in different ways because it appeals to different parts of our brain. I'll have to think about it some more, though.
The picture of the first diary, with the illustrations of the two women, Oct 11-12. Do you know what brand and what size that is? It looks like a pocket size but it could be something larger.
I've been looking for a pocket diary that is one-day-to-a-page like that, like the old Marquette diaries (https://www.notebookstories.com/2019/04/04/1940-marquette-diary/), but no one seems to make them anymore! There are great pocket diaries by Graphic Image and Gallery Leather, but they're all one week over two pages.
Every post of yours is a masterpiece - to savour and re-read. True what Sylvia has said "It’s hopeless to “get life” if you don’t keep notebooks. I am angry now because, except for the snow, I forget what the trip from France to Munich was like."
I have lost my notes but every incident and a story flashes vividly as I read your post to put it back in my posts. Love.
Thank. you very much for this thoughtful and enlightening writing on Plath. Full of insights and ideas for artistic practice. Good for you for concluding with ideas for readers to get started. Brilliant.
I recognized the name, Sylvia Plath and remembered the significance. Back in the early sixties, college sorority we were impressed with Sylvia Plath-The Bell Jar, Ayn Rand, The Fountainhead and Kahil Gibron, The Prophet. We were enamored by their profound writings.
There's truly nothing like "meeting" a writer through their own handwritten diaries, with the added treat of illustrations in the margin! THANK YOU Jillian for yet another unique discovery. I can't begin to imagine what it must have felt like to flicker through the pages of Plath's very own diary, so close to her and yet so far.
While I am far from Plath's multiple talents, I do feel inspired and reassured that illustrating my thoughts before writing them down on the page was also something that an author of her standing adopted the process, too. :) Looking forward to your next piece!
Thank you for your lovely comment! I'm so happy to hear that this piece affirmed your own note-taking practices!
Absolutely! It really is always very inspiring to read your pieces. Thank you very much Jillian!
The pin-up doll marginalia is so great. She had a lot of talent apparent very early on.
Right?! It's so 1950s-perfect.
Never thought I'd stumble upon such an insightful post here (I'm new to substack)! Thank you for sharing! Ps. Is anybody else surprised by her handwriting? It feels so... Bubbly, even cheerful... Any thoughts on this?
Welcome to Substack! Happy to have you here! And, yes, I had the same reaction to her writing when I saw a photocopy as a teenager. I felt like she was my contemporary!
Who knew she was so multi-talented. I love discovering these Renaissance men/women. Kafka was another who was like this.
Yes! I wrote about Kafka's wonderful drawings in May!
Her handwriting is surprising! Looks more modern than I would have expected
Yes--it feels like she's a contemporary.
I'm fascinated with combining visual art and writing. I have zero visual art talent and little writing expertise and or experience... but the joy (for me) is in the process. Sylvia Plath was sprinkled with fairy dust in the talent department. I absolutely love these deep dives, they inspire and give me glimpses of truly talented people that walk the earth among us. Thank you for your work.
It's all process! And enjoying it is, I think, the secret of really creative people. If you don't enjoy the process--no matter how much talent fairy dust--creativity just won't happen.
This was fascinating - thank you! I love seeing how creative minds work and the connection between writing and drawing.
Einstein used to play violin, and was good at it too. I think creativity and curiosity goes hand in hand with each other.
I completely agree. Curiosity is underrated. Creativity doesn't exist without it.
I love it too!
Had no idea she was such a talented illustrator as well ! Thanks so much for sharing (and for the incredible quality of your posts always). In the likes of Peter Beard or Jacques Henri Lartigue, the photo-journal style is definitely one of my favorite medium to read stories. Curious if you know the “scientific” reason (if there is one) behind why that specific form of telling stories speaks to us so much? Thanks again !
What an interesting question. I don't know off the top of my head, but I imagine there's something about mixed-media that hits us in different ways because it appeals to different parts of our brain. I'll have to think about it some more, though.
The picture of the first diary, with the illustrations of the two women, Oct 11-12. Do you know what brand and what size that is? It looks like a pocket size but it could be something larger.
I've been looking for a pocket diary that is one-day-to-a-page like that, like the old Marquette diaries (https://www.notebookstories.com/2019/04/04/1940-marquette-diary/), but no one seems to make them anymore! There are great pocket diaries by Graphic Image and Gallery Leather, but they're all one week over two pages.
Hi Bob! I'll have to get back to you on that. Plath's diaries are all at Smith College, so you could get in touch with them in the meantime.
Loved this issue :) not matter how I think about Re-noted is my most favourite newsletters of all time.
Thank you for taking the time to curate and chronicle the rather unseen side of these amazing individuals.
Thank you for this lovely comment, Rahul!
I like the idea of the two arts as complementary. It would have been lovely if one of her poetry collections included her illustrations.
Yes, I agree! If she were publishing today, I imagine she would include illustrations...there's more precedent for it now.
Why am I reminded of Frida Kahlo so STRONGLY ? AND have you covered her in the past ? She was..... unique.
Oh yes! I actually wrote 2 posts on Frida, I love her so much!
Every post of yours is a masterpiece - to savour and re-read. True what Sylvia has said "It’s hopeless to “get life” if you don’t keep notebooks. I am angry now because, except for the snow, I forget what the trip from France to Munich was like."
I have lost my notes but every incident and a story flashes vividly as I read your post to put it back in my posts. Love.
Thank. you very much for this thoughtful and enlightening writing on Plath. Full of insights and ideas for artistic practice. Good for you for concluding with ideas for readers to get started. Brilliant.
I recognized the name, Sylvia Plath and remembered the significance. Back in the early sixties, college sorority we were impressed with Sylvia Plath-The Bell Jar, Ayn Rand, The Fountainhead and Kahil Gibron, The Prophet. We were enamored by their profound writings.
What an interesting blend of writers!
Beautiful, I am reminded of some of my amazing, strong, students xx
How lovely!