Obvious State is a creative studio, their artwork and goods are inspired by beautiful language that has stood the test of time, poetry that stretches the imagination, and philosophy that prompts us to think deeply. Obvious State takes snippets of text from literature, philosophy, and poetry as inspiration for a visual response and illustration. 

“The sea is big and old.” – Ernest Hemingway

Too simple for your taste? Perhaps he should have gone with “the sea is boundless and ancient,” or “the expansive sea churns eternally.” Hemingway would just as soon tuck a daisy behind the ear of a bull. Instead Hemingway gives us “big” and “old,”—words simple and true. Obvious State wanted to honor his unadorned, straight-shooting writing style and we kept coming back to this line, as there is so much to unpack in those six words. 

For the illustration, Obvious State took our cue from Hemingway’s words and his personification of the sea. 

Product Details:

• Cover: 18pt recycled chipboard made from recycled content & books
• 32 college ruled sheets, uncoated 70# paper
• Pocket sized: 3.5 x 5 inches
• Saddle stitched with matching black staples
• Made in US in partnership with Scout Books.

You can shop the collection here.