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Hello Subscriber First Name,

I recently finished watching Ken Burns’s documentary on Leonardo da Vinci, which was a revelationβ€”even though I have studied him since I was a young art student. Two particular ideas stood out to me: Guillermo del Toro’s phrase, β€œHis duty is to the question,” and later the description of Leonardo as a β€œdisciple of experience.” In other words, Leonardo devoted himself wholeheartedly to curiosity, learning firsthand from the world around him. I have been thinking about what it might look like to live more like Leonardo in my own lifeβ€”letting curiosity guide my decisions and stepping away from the screen to embrace direct experience as a key to creative thinking and practice.


Leonardo’s notebooks, sketches, and inventions continue to fascinate me, not just because they are brilliant, but because they reveal a mind that never switched off. He studied anatomy by dissecting human bodies, observed birds to design flying machines, and examined water currents so meticulously that he drew diagrams centuries ahead of his time. Did you know that he invented the first artificial heart valve? Or that he was an innovative theatre set designer? I didn’t. 

Watching the footage and reading excerpts from his notebooks reminded me that Leonardo did not confine himself to any single discipline. Instead, he questioned everything, experimented constantly, and recorded detailed observationsβ€”an approach that resonates with me as I map out my goals for 2025.

Yet, as I embrace Leonardo’s mindset, I cannot help but notice how different our daily contexts are. With endless notifications, digital β€œfeeds,” and virtual meetings, technology can both empower me and distract me. Leonardo, of course, never had a smartphone. Instead, he walked outdoors for inspiration, closely observed natural phenomena, and paid attention to subtle details like light, shade, or flowing water. I want to carry that spirit into 2025 by carving out moments of tech-free reflection: short walks in nature, phone-free sketching sessions, and intentional observation breaks. By blending a gentle technology detox with Leonardo’s focus on the wisdom of the natural world, I hope to rediscover the clarity and wonder that fueled his incredible creativity.

I want to bring that same voracious curiosity and β€œhands-on” mentality into the new year. Instead of passively accepting what I read or hear, I plan to dive deeper: I’ll sketch my thinking more, conduct small experiments in my daily routines, and question the function and purpose behind everyday items I typically overlook. I believe that adopting Leonardo’s outlook, even in small ways, can help me spot hidden insights and unlock more creative opportunities in both work and life.

Living Like Leonardo


πŸ› οΈ Creative Technique: β€œLeonardo Time”

πŸ”₯ Begin with a Burning Question

Each morning, identify one questionβ€”perhaps something you have always wanted to explore or a problem that lacks an obvious solution. Write it down. This sets an intention for the day in the spirit of β€œduty is to the question.”

πŸ”Ž Seek Evidence Through Experience

Like Leonardo, try to gather firsthand data if feasible. If it is a work-related challenge, do quick observations or mini-experiments rather than relying solely on reports. If it is a personal curiosity, step outside for direct examination.

➑️ Example: Want to create a more comfortable home workspace? Instead of relying on generic β€œproductivity hack” articles, spend a few days observing how natural light shifts over the course of the day. Sketch or diagram how each location influences focus, mood, and energy levels.

✍🏼 Record Observations Thoroughly

Maintain a small notebook for sketches, measurements, stray thoughts, and partial ideas. Jot down not only what you see but also questions that ariseβ€”Leonardo’s notes were filled with lines of inquiry alongside his illustrations.

🧠 Reflect and Sketch

At the end of the day, revisit observations and experiences. Sketch a diagram or write a few paragraphs capturing what you learned. Include open questions you still have. This process solidifies knowledge and can spark fresh insights.

✏️ Refine and Expand

Ask: β€œWhere can this lead?” Maybe a single note or doodle will lead to a blueprint for a new project or a conversation with someone who shares this curiosity. Keep following the thread until it either runs its course or evolves into a new question.

Key Takeaways

Actively Pursue Curiosity: Curiosity is more than daydreaming; it is an intentional drive that pushes you to ask, observe, and tinker.

Learn Through Doing: Direct, hands-on investigation often reveals insights that reading about or watching cannot.

Embrace the Notebook Habit: Write and sketch daily to capture fleeting thoughts and refine them into meaningful inventions or knowledge.
 

References

Isaacson, W. (2017). Leonardo da Vinci. Simon & Schuster.

Richter, J. P. (Ed.). (1888). The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci. Dover Publications (reprint).

Ken Burns (Director). (2024). (Leonardo da Vinci [Documentary]. PBS documentaries.
 

A Question for You (and Me)

Which of Leonardo’s traitsβ€”such as fearlessness in experimenting, limitless curiosity, or meticulous recordingβ€”resonates most with you, and how might you apply it to your practices?

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until next time, 
Pattie Belle (aka PB)
 
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Mindful Marks, 266 West Rock Avenue, New Haven, United States

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