For centuries, the Indigenous people of North America have preserved their histories through art. As more and more Native Americans were displaced by westward-expanding colonialism, art became a vessel for preserving their culture as well as their history. Their daily lives were recorded through paintings, songs, stories, and dances.

Native American art is both functional and beautiful, acting as a bridge to Indigenous cultures and offering a unique perspective on their history. These works enrich the lives of all North Americans, providing a window into the world through Indigenous eyes.

The Blackwing 574 is our tribute to Native American art and the 574 nations that use it to assert agency and identity. We worked with Kaw, Osage, Lakota artist Chris Pappan to design a pencil that evokes geometric patterns found throughout many Native American expressions of culture. Each pencil includes our firm graphite.

A portion of the proceeds from this release will be donated to the Cheyenne River Youth Project and their mission to provide enriching arts programs to Lakota youth on the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Reservation.

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GEORGE HARRISON NOTEBOOK DETAILS

"ROCKY" COVER DESIGN & LIMITED EDITION PENCIL

This notebook features an illustration of George Harrison's iconic guitar, "Rocky." George handpainted his famous Fender Stratocaster with psychedelic, dayglo colors giving it a distinctive look. This notebook includes an exclusive Blackwing x George Harrison model Blackwing pencil loaded in the pencil holster. This pencil contains our Balanced graphite core.

EXCLUSIVE "ROCKY" STICKER SHEET

Each notebook also includes a special sticker sheet featuring the various icons and symbols painted on the guitar. These illustrations and mantras were symbolic representations of George's personality and philosophies. Mix and match stickers to create your own personal rendition of "Rocky" on the cover.

SPECIAL SONGWRITING INSERT

Each notebook also includes a printed transparent insert with chord charts, tablature charts, and sheet music templates to help you lay out your songwriting process. The insert also includes a ruled page guide for lyrics and notes. Learn more about how to use the insert below.

THE STORY OF "ROCKY" THE GUITAR

George Harrison’s guitar, Rocky, was a 1961 Fender Stratocaster that he hand-painted in psychedelic colors using Dayglo paints. It's unique and distinctive handcrafted look quickly made it one of George's most famous instruments and one of the most iconic of the era. Rocky was emblematic of George Harrison’s artistic individuality.

(Image © GH Estate Ltd)

ABOUT BLACKWING

Blackwing pencils were used by award-winning creators throughout the 20th century. Despite a cult following, they fell victim to cost cutting measures in the 1990s and were discontinued, but not forgotten. Analog-minded devotees began paying as much as $40 for a single pencil. Blackwing acquired the brand in 2010 and brought Blackwing back for a growing culture of artists, musicians, and everyday people looking to unplug and live mindfully.

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