Woody Guthrie’s Notebooks
Woody Guthrie’s life could be chronicled in so many ways through his songs, through the artists that he inspired, and also through the collection of notebooks, ledgers, and correspondences that he left behind. Beyond the guise of being a roaming folk raconteur and political firebrand, Woody Guthrie was also a prolific visual artist and journaler. Throughout his life, Guthrie kept thousands of artworks and notes from fine watercolors to abstract line drawings to song lyrics and resolutions, filling dozens of notebooks to the brim. Much like the subjects of his music and drawings, these notebooks provide a glimpse into the experiences of daily life and the beauty that can be found within it.
Woody Guthrie’s notebooks and correspondences with friends and family give us a nuanced and sincere perspective of how he viewed the world around him. Embodied in these books are snippets of Woody’s kaleidoscopic interests, talents, and personality. Below are a collection of Woody’s original notebooks, notes, and sketches:
All works by Woody Guthrie © Woody Guthrie Publications, Inc. Used with permission.
More Blackwing Volume 223 Content:
Woody’s Life in Color – Blackwing Blog