Notes from the Inkwell – Ana Barton

At the Gaudeamus Book Fair that took place in December 2024, Ana Barton launched the book called ‘Notes from the Inkwell’, an encouragement printed as a book for people to come back to writing with the fountain pen.

The launch was special too, since the public had to work in order to receive an autograph, namely, to write with a fountain pen on Ana’s recent book. Determined not to let people give excuses, Ana personally handed as a gift a fountain pen to whomever did not have one. And so they could have it at home to use it when they wish to.

A couple of days after the book launch, I opened Ana’s book and reread some of the notes there. I took the pen she gave me and wrote something down. Then, I put the book somewhere close to my desk, so that I don’t forget about writing with the fountain pen.

(Translation of the note and my writing: I dreamed about a story, but I did not wake up to write it down. It’s OK, I’ll find it there, where the dreams gather around. / And I will pay special attention to them, the tricksters, since they love playing hide-and-seek with me.

The smiling face is my Picasso-like signature, for it states that art cannot behave, especially naïve art.)