I first saw images of Jean Fick’s notebook on Pinterest and was fascinated. Such beautiful colors and patterns, accompanied by rather odd writings, densely filling a tiny notebook. It is mysterious in many ways– all I’ve been able to find out is that the notebook was part of an exhibition at the American Folk Art Museum earlier this year, and that pretty much nothing is known about the artist.

Jean Fick, “AMBASADEUR MONDIEU N.23. A+L” (circa 1941-46), journal, 90 pages, ink, pencil, and watercolor on paper, 4 3/4 x 2 3/8 inches, collection abcd/Bruno Decharme (photo courtesy of Collection abcd)

As with much other outsider art, there seems to be a religious influence given his title on the cover of “Ambasadeur Mondieu.” But I wonder if he created these pages deliberately as art, or whether it was a diary in code, with colored symbols noting what Fick did each day, or what happened around him. One page with text seems to have notes about the moon, rain, broken trees and a garden. Another seems to note biographical events, such as his birth, dates of his service in WWI, his marriage, and birth dates of his children:

« FICK JEAN NEE 23.11.1876 — HOPITAL — SOLDAT. 13.10.1898 — 13.9.1900 — RM 57 — WESE GUERRE 9.14 — 4.8.1.4.1917.7. SANTE BLESSE – INVALIDE FICK J MARIAGE DELESSE MARI. MODES 29.4.1902 HOPITAL NEE 8.9.1874. FICK ALISE 24.2.1903. MARIE. A. 1.2.1904. JEAN. K. 22.05. MAGU. 11.6.10 Â»

It’s frustrating that the links about the notebook don’t mention where it was found or any other background, but it is a beautiful and intriguing item.

Read more at: FICK jeans – abcd Art Brut