Carnet de gratitude : July 2026 sketchbook

Over time, my gratitude sketchbook has become much more than a collection of daily drawings. It is slowly turning into a map of my inner landscape: a record not only of what fills my days, but of what nourishes my imagination, my emotions and my connection to the world.

I no longer try only to document moments; I try to preserve their atmosphere. A colour, a texture, a melody, a conversation, an encounter, or even a simple everyday object can become a doorway to something larger. These objects are no longer just things to draw: they become bridges towards memories, artists, music, readings, emotions and invisible connections.

Several people have told me that they enjoy discovering the music that accompanies my days through my pages. This touches me deeply, because these pieces are truly part of my daily life. They often colour my drawings as much as my pencils do. They create an invisible thread running through the pages, alongside recurring themes, chromatic echoes and subtle conversations between elements.

Little by little, I feel my approach shifting. I am more drawn towards capturing impressions: the poetry of an atmosphere, the feeling left by a moment, the traces of everything that shapes us. Each page becomes a small portrait in disguise, revealing something about the inner world behind it.

This long-term practice also reminds me that creativity is never entirely solitary. Every person, artist, book, piece of music or encounter that inspires us becomes part of what we create. And perhaps, when these small gestures of attention are shared, they can travel from one person to another, encouraging new ways of looking at the living world.

If you want to know more about my Gratitude sketchbook practice, I answered an interview for Domestika's blog at the end of 2024. https://www.domestika.org/en/blog/13539-stig-legrand-s-journey-turning-daily-gratitude-into-illustrated-masterpieces

This project is published monthly and you can access the archives beginning in November 2021 from the Projects section on my Profile.

Supplies
Sketchbook : Talens, Art Creation, 9x14cm, colour Fresh Mint
Fineliners : UniPin in Dark Grey, Light Grey, Black, size range from 0.03 to 0.5 - Colour Fineliners : Sakura Pigment
Brush Pens : Water-based Tombows AB1, Kuretake Art & Graphic Twin, Koi by Sakura, Pentel Brush Sign Pens, Faber-Castell Pitt Artist
Watercolor crayons, Luminance pencils box and Derwent Graphitint pencils

Most Important: Creative Direction & Feline Supermodel – Potichats Agency

What a relief when temperatures drop under 30°C ! I listened to a freshly discovered South-African singer : Pilani Bubu with the band Marthe, their album Nay’ Indaba is great. I also got a visual kick from Naomi Osaka's magnificent white traditional Japanese outfit worn at Wimbledon.
Then as we had shopped for good fresh food, I made tossed asiatic noodles with calamari rings, shimeji mushrooms, red hot thaï chili, lots of herbs.

On that day, I spent a long time in my work room and the Potichats scratched a long time at the door, poor babies... Later, the automatic playlist that knows me well played POP POP POP by IDLES in my earbuds, and I couldn't help singing along to general dismay of cats and humans around. So I made a special Sardine, Olive and Fennel Sun Pie and everybody was happy again.

Just a good day to sip ice cold Yuzu coffee, nibble on caramelized peanuts and read Jeff Noon's novel "Moon Over Brendle"...

On Saturday 4th of July, three Potichats jumped up on the bed for grooming and a session with their favourite comb. I watered the plants outside, but it is tedious as I have to bring it from inside... but so necessary. I listened to old Pixies songs, the B Sides, I know them all and of course, I sing them merrily. While drawing very late in the deep of the night, I ate Belgian waffles.

On this Sunday, after my usual fuel, ice-cold Yuzu coffee, spiced crispy Nori snacks and Rocher milk chocolate from Lindt, I gathered enough energy to do some cleaning and vacuum as the heatwave was coming and I know I would be melted and unable to lift a finger. After a nice shower, I made burgers, then began drawing and singing old songs from The Smiths which didn't deter Hinata from helping by laying on my fineliners pouch...

I woke up at the same time than Miruku, and I proceeded to make giant Croque-Monsieurs for our brunch. Much too large to feature in my sketchbook ! I spent the afternoon publishing June of Carnet de Gratitude on Domestika, then I opened a large box I had received from a spice merchant. What a thrill : I smelled, tasted, admired, and had very interesting moments with many strange ingredients. That's the first time I ever tasted Kororima. This seed made me fall over from it's amazing taste.

It began being a little too hot for comfort : 33°C. Well, still manageable. In Florida, my friend Gwendolyn picked some of her hibiscuses and they looked magnificent in a vase. I shared one of the best ice-creams I had ever tasted with husband, it was Cinnamon Rolls ice-cream and we ate the whole pot. I listened to my favorite podcast "Continue, tu m'intéresses" and their guest was "Meta de Choc" another excellent podcast I used to listen to all the time... Then I worked a bit on the upcoming Writing Workshop for which I was imagining a sanctuary place and some activities.

On that day, I made myself a lovely colourful meal salad with chickpeas, half of them grilled in the Airfryer, some tiny sweet peppers, eggs, olives, chili, scallions and lots of herbs <3 Tanuki was her usual delightful self <3 and I received a surprise box from my friend Deer Bartok, filled with sweet gifts <3

On that day, we went on a trip to our dentist. As it's quite a long walk, I took my walking sticks and listened to Nicolette's songs including "Sunshine". It was hard for me as I have difficulties walking and it was hot, but I made it ! On the way back we saw lots of bees and bumble bees on flowers. And at home, once it was OK to eat something, I tasted a small chocolate egg with Gochujang in it ! from my friend's gift box.

34° is a little too hot for my taste, I feel so much better with 10 degrees less... So I had my usual Ice coold Yuzu coffee and I dipped a lemon ginger sherbet. Then I thought some more about the Writing Workshop that was on the next day.
Then I treated myself to a movie on strealing : Left Handed Girl a great movie that takes place in Taipei. I'm left-handed too ! And seeing the world through little I-Jing's eyes was thrilling.

I began the day with Timeless by Thylacine <3
I chatted a long time with ChatGPT about drawing and perspective, it said : "We accept that drawing tells the story better than it measures it."
Then early evening, I welcomed my friends for the Writing Workshop in this special place that I had co-created with AI to provide sanctuary from the heatwaves and a place where imagination could express whatever came up. It was a great Writing Workshop and now we have a virtual place where we'll return to spend good time online together.

Sunday, I was tired and bluesy, I listened to Bela Bartok and looked at photos from this special lake from my childhood that is so unusual. It's a crater lake so very deep and dangerous with layers of toxic waters that can erupt... I talked a bit with my friend Deer Bartok, then watched some episodes from Trying. By the end of the day, I felt better.

I began the day with a new album by Panda Bear & Sonic Boom, « A Question Of When », you can listen to it on Bandcamp and Youtube, but you won't find it on the usual platforms.
When we tried to remove a huge and hard fur mat under Tanuki's arm, it turned out there was a huge wound underneath ! I freaked out and called the vet in a panic while husband tried to disinfect with Betadine. It was late, but the vet let us come over and we waited there with Tanuki, hurt but acting calm and courageous. He shaved her on a large section and gave her shots, and a treatmen I was to give for some 2 weeks. What a fright !
Back home, we calmed down with Matcha and raspberry ice-cream.

This Tuesday was Bastille Day, so while husband ran out trying to spot the fighter planes zooming over our place in a huge rushing sound, I began giving Tanuki her treatment and luckily it went very well. Then I listened for the first time to the music of Colin Stetson. Just try and you will understand the thrill.

There was a huge commotion just in front of our house ! A truck caught the internet and telephone cables in front of our house, tearing down the wooden pole and leaving a chaotic tangle of wires on the street. The remains of the pole were covered in huge, dangerous splinters, and now we are running on 4G instead of fiber. Phewwwwww.
I also tried the giant version of my usual and lovely Car en Sac (not as good !).
Note : I drew this page and wrote the legends half asleep... it happens and the results are a little chaotic.

On that day, I went shopping in a huge supermarket I almost never use and it was very nice to see all this unusual items. I brought back this Italian lemonade, tasting of rose and lemon and sold very cold.
I also explored the taste, look and texture of apricots.

I made us a brunch of bagels with fresh cheese, smoked salmon, sprouts, avocado... It was yummy.
Then I took a batch with a Bomb from World of Goa that turned the water a delightful light blue green that was perfect with the light playing between the leaves and the blue sky from the window... I listened to Brian Eno's THE PEARL, perfect music for a peaceful bath.

First, I listened to Tricky new album "Different when it's silent", then I dressed in my blue dress and yellow tights and joined my friend Alexa for an online chat and drink. Virgin Mojito Desperados, spicy seaweed crisp Nori snacks...

On that day, I began thinking about how I would celebrate our wedding anniversay that was approaching. As it wasn't in the cards to go out to a restaurant or on a trip, or anything.... I took a creative approach.
I caught little Wabisabi exploring husband's bag (she is very enthusiastic about husband, little darling).
I saw a wonderful mauve hibiscus on my friend Deer Bartok's terrace. And of course, I made ramens.

After a tomato and mozzarella brunch, I retreated to my work room to begin painting with watercolour a special card to celebrate our 33 years of wedding and 40 years of living together.
During this, I listened to another incredible saxophonist and artist : Matana Roberts. She delivered a vast musical project spanning many records and it begins with "Coin Coin, Chapter One: Gens de couleur libres".

With all her treatments and ointments, Tanuki began healing. I'm so grateful she accepted that we try to help her get better, my poor little one..
Day was spent painting, also using my QOR watercolour tubes.
I sang with Portugal The Man.

While I painted, I listened to Mohini Dey's new album "THE DEY WAY" that she released for her 30th birthday. I love her way of playing the bass, and her personnality <3 You can feel her Solkattu / Konnakol rythm and patterns training in her incredible flow.
Husband brought back a beautiful little thistle flower from his walk.

On our 33rd wedding anniversary and 40th actual years spent together, I would have been very sad not to offer something up for celebration. So I showed husband the card I had painted, that was to my heart feeling. We took Tanuki to the vet for a check up and she was declared close to complete recovery <3 Then in the evening, I ordered shushi and we had Prosecco in tall glasses and watched the movie Vice Versa 2 on streaming, I had wanted to see it for a very long time (that's Inside Out 2)

All the while, fires had been raging all across France, with the heatwaves... Life went on at Maison Legrand, I received important retirement papers that I had to complete, I made a lovely eggplant speciality... But meanwhile fires destroyed many houses and forests, leaving evacuated families bereft and their animals lost and alone in this inferno. I'm heartbroken for these 4 little cats, watching the flames eat their home.

Fire didn't abate and smoke even reached my nephew's home in Bordeaux. I was so sad and afraid, but I retreated in my bubble and slept. I saw my friend Estelle Monsterlune's little cat, Fantômette, with all her plastic insects displayed, and I made a bagel brunch and for dinner, some clafoutis with our old cherries.

There was so much tenderness in Kurumi's eyes and so many delicious spices in my Indian diner that it fed my gratitude despite the sadness and powerlessness I felt about the fires.

My beautiful princess of fluff, Tanuki, cat-bombed the photo shoot of Mohini Dey's page <3

Because of Boards of Canada new album after such a long time, I listened to old albums too <3
33° still, but I found the energy to vacuum just like last time. After that, I was so tired, I fell asleep on the couch and poked a finger in my eye !
Then I received some good news from the retirement process.

Ohlala : it was 38°...! Despite this, I had a hot coffee, brushed Nori, read Jeff Noon and watched SBTRKT concert from Sonar 2026 festival on Arte.

It was cooler on that day, and there were even a few drops of rain. It inspired me to draw a green refreshing page, telling about the new green soft trousers I wore, the lovely tartlets imagined and realised by the amazingly talented Christel Morvan (shoukurimu on Instagram), and ate a lot of delicious watermelon.

And to finish the month, I began a new notebook for all the groceries and their dates, but I felt like giving it a title page. Hinata, who had been out a very long time and that we were very happy to see return spent all the drawing session laying across the page <3
It was a red day, with watermelon again, clothes to match and the red cover of the new notebook.

I still draw my pages this way, with a first draft, and could gain a lot of time by drawing directly with the fineliners. Perhaps someday... !

Thanks for your interest, and see you next month ;-)