The Brooklyn Art Museum does this really neat thing, the Sketchbook Project. It happens each year. Artists sign up some time in the summer/early fall. We each get to choose an interesting topic. I paid them some money and they sent me the actual sketchbook to work in. I did this for the first time in 2010. The book I worked in that year was sort of frustrating. It was thin stock. When you use watercolors, thick stock is the best, or your paint can go thru to the other side! I first painted all the pages with gesso, to seal. I chose the theme SLEEPLESS.
I was reeling at that time, and for sure sleepless. My father died as a complete shock to us all over the holiday season 2009. My cat was in the process of dying and if you know me, I am very into my cat. Sleepless was my mode. So you get your empty book, and fill it up. You can do anything to it. My goal was to fill this book with everything I was thinking about my dad, my cat, and by the end of the book, come to some form of ACCEPTANCE. Do you know what? It worked. I put my insides out onto that little book. As an artist I can indulge and do this because I use code. I don’t have to write in words “my heart is broken kill me now”, I can paint it. It might seem abstract to you, but to me, so obvious the pain the angst kill me now. So after putting all into this book, then, I get to mail it away! I don’t have to look at the book sideways, remembering all the tears that went into it, or hide it in my closet, or under the laundry. That book is being gently cared for by the folks in Brooklyn. It is out in the world, it doesn’t have to stay with me. I LOVE THAT.
Everyone participating in the project has to mail their book by the end of January. They scan our books, and then, they go on tour! Like a rock star, my book went on tour! And the best part, for the Sketchbook Project 2011, it goes on World Tour, all over the globe! -
My First Sketchbook Project:
Theme: “Sleepless”
My First Sketchbook Project 2011:
Theme: “Trading Forever”
My January 2012 Sketchbook Project:
Theme: “In 50 Years”
My April 2012 Sketchbook Project:
Theme: Time and Distance (in progress)
I am working on this one right now. You’ll see it soon!
I love your sketchbooks and am looking forward to seeing more of “Time and Distance”. Here is a teaser for my 2012 (regular) one: http://www.flickr.com/photos/renmeleon/6819644354/in/photostream
I found you through the Illustrated ATC site (just applied) but was thrilled to find another Sketchbook Project participant! Such a fabulous project, I love Brooklyn Art House Co-op. 2011 was my first, I got to see it here locally on the tour (exciting and inspiring). My daughter (10) and I both have sketchbooks in 2012′s tour and I am working on my book for the limited edition 2012 project.