Art House Co-Op is based in Brooklyn, NY and focuses on creating “massive, international art projects that tie thousands of artists together”. I’ve participated in 3 of their projects and enjoyed all of them but this particular one, the Sketchbook Project, was definitely the most difficult.
For one, I procrastinated to practically the last minute before the book was due. Procrastination is a big problem with me and yet I always do it. Did I really need to organize my cd’s? No, but I took an afternoon (and part of an evening because I have OCD) to do that instead of drawing. The other reason it was so difficult is because I don’t really keep a sketchbook. I have an idea, paint it directly on the wood, and if it works, I share it with everyone. If it doesn’t, I get out the gesso and start over.
So to have this sketchbook’s blank pages staring at me was unnerving. Thankfully, my theme was lines and grids so I felt a little more comfortable once I picked up my ruler. After awhile though I ran out if ideas and still had a good chunk of the book to fill. I remember the project leaders saying if the book is not completed, it was okay and to send the book anyway. But sending an uncompleted sketchbook would admit defeat and I would not be defeated. (As well as having OCD I’m also incredibly competitive). So I picked up my sharpies, thought for a few minutes, put them down and turned on Turner Classic Movies. Hey, I’m not missing Charlie Chaplin!
The next day I got serious and started coming up with ideas and by the end of the process, I realized the importance of a sketchbook. If I drew something but wasn’t totally sure about it, I could try again on the next page and maybe come up with something very cool and unexpected. Moral of the story is I will definitely keep a sketchbook from now on.
Here are a couple of pages. You can also check out some more of my sketches on flickr.
For one, I procrastinated to practically the last minute before the book was due. Procrastination is a big problem with me and yet I always do it. Did I really need to organize my cd’s? No, but I took an afternoon (and part of an evening because I have OCD) to do that instead of drawing. The other reason it was so difficult is because I don’t really keep a sketchbook. I have an idea, paint it directly on the wood, and if it works, I share it with everyone. If it doesn’t, I get out the gesso and start over.
So to have this sketchbook’s blank pages staring at me was unnerving. Thankfully, my theme was lines and grids so I felt a little more comfortable once I picked up my ruler. After awhile though I ran out if ideas and still had a good chunk of the book to fill. I remember the project leaders saying if the book is not completed, it was okay and to send the book anyway. But sending an uncompleted sketchbook would admit defeat and I would not be defeated. (As well as having OCD I’m also incredibly competitive). So I picked up my sharpies, thought for a few minutes, put them down and turned on Turner Classic Movies. Hey, I’m not missing Charlie Chaplin!
The next day I got serious and started coming up with ideas and by the end of the process, I realized the importance of a sketchbook. If I drew something but wasn’t totally sure about it, I could try again on the next page and maybe come up with something very cool and unexpected. Moral of the story is I will definitely keep a sketchbook from now on.
Here are a couple of pages. You can also check out some more of my sketches on flickr.
