Sunday, May 29, 2011

The Sketchbook Project


So just a couple days ago, my friend Penn told me about this project where you register, pick a theme as a jumping off point, order a sketchbook and it arrives with your name and a barcode on it. Once you have it in hand, you go forth and art it up, then mail it back to the project headquarters by January 31st, 2012.

Once the organizers have it in hand, your sketchbook joins thousands of others on a tour of North America. (Tours are also happening in the UK and Australia, but only include the sketchbooks from those regions.) In 2012, the collection will actually be making its way to VANCOUVER!!

While on tour, people can visit the exhibit and "check out" any of the sketchbooks they'd like to look at (I don't think they leave the venue) and the artist will get an email letting them know every time their work is viewed. Once the tour is over, the entire collection will reside in Brooklyn, NY at the Brooklyn Art Library. There's a little more to it than that, so if you want all the details, you can find them here.

The funny thing is that right after Penn and I talked about it, friends Michelle Allen and Sherry Smyth both posted about joining. I got to thinking how much fun it would be to go to the exhibit here and check out their sketchbooks in person and maybe take a photo of me with their books and send it to them...One thing led to another and I signed up!Now I just need to figure out how to upload my userpic on their site. I have a sneaking suspicion I can't do that till they have me logged into their system, which should happen early next week. I can't wait to have my sketchbook in hand so I can get started.

It's going to be a great project to work on over the summer. I'll be posting my progress, so feel free to follow along and if the spirits move you, to join in. If you join, I'm listed under my name, so be sure and "friend" me and I'll friend you back. The more, the merrier!

3 comments:

Sherry said...

I think there is something in the wind with this project "right now" -- the fact that 3 people you know have signed up -- and no one talked to you about it other than Penn!

I'm looking forward to the creating aspect but I'm also looking forward to seeing everyone else's work -- and I think it would be awesome to stand beside the work of a friend and have your photograph taken!!!

Such an interactive project globally and personally!

michelle allen said...

super fun! can't wait to get started. can't wait to watch your process with it!

Nic Hohn said...

I've got mine right in front of me, waiting for me to make a start!