What has inspired the creation of the Blackwing 223?

Like all limited edition Blackwing Volumes, the birth of Volume 223 has an inspiring story behind it. Let's go to February 23, 1940, the American singer and songwriter Woody Guthrie wrote at the end of one of his compositions the phrase:

“All you can write is what you see”

("All you can write is what you see").

The song he had just written spoke of the inequality he had witnessed on his travels across the United States, it was about what would become one of the most moving and iconic folk songs in history: This Land Is Your Land, perhaps for You won't identify it by name at first, but if you listen to it, its unmistakable melody and particular voice of Woody Guthrie will transport you to the time.

Woody is often depicted in sepia tones reminiscent of the Dust Bowl, but his artistic palette went much further. Woody, filled composition notebooks and planners with sketches, poems, and paintings on his countless travels. His art was playful and vibrant, despite its often stark content.

He described his fusion of old compositions and new ideas as a mix of "what is" and "what could be". Woody believed that we could be better, and he used his creations to inspire people to believe the same.

Image by New York World-Telegram and the Sun staff photographer: Al Aumuller -

The Blackwing 223 is a tribute to singer-songwriter Woody Guthrie and his unwavering optimism. Each pencil features a design inspired by these 3 phrases: "ribbon of highway", "endless skyway" and "golden valley" that are part of the song "This Land is your Land".

The matte black cap and earth-tone eraser nod to the many miles Woody covered on his travels. The balanced graphite formula works well for both writing and drawing, so you too can fill your pages with inspiration from everything you see.