[Gail Anderson] I loved me some MJ in the early 1970s. This was the Michael Jackson of the ABC and I’ll Be There days, way before all the crazy. I loved all the brothers: Michael, Marlon, Jermaine, Tito and Jackie — the original Jackson 5. But it was Michael who made my young heart race. You could call it puppy love, but that would be quoting a Donny Osmond song, and any self-respecting Michael fan knows that’s just wrong.

[Anne Willoughby] One day in June in the early ’70s, at the Aspen Design Conference, I met Milton Glaser for the first time. What I remember most is he carried a small student-grade sketchbook with him everywhere. During presentations in the legendary Aspen white tent, Milton sketched while each speaker took his or her turn on stage (it was mostly “his turn” back then).

From time to time we share the sketchbooks of artists, designers and illustrators who have captured our attention and admiration. These glimpses from the journals of Chris Piascik reveal a lifelong fascination with the alphabet, lettering and what he terms “overlapping lines.” Piascik designs, sketches, teaches, creates apparel and rides his bikes in Cromwell, Conn.

In this series where artists share their journals, we are pleased to present Ethan Bodnar’s sketchbook thoughts and images. Ethan Bodnar is already establishing a voice in the design world while studying at the Hartford Art School. He is the author of the book Creative Grab Bag and presented on the future of education at the 2009 AIGA Make/Think conference.