The Sketchbook Project 2012

I decided to take part in The Sketchbook Project 2012 a while back, and I've only just sent mine off to the Brooklyn Art Library in New York. It will be included on a tour to 14 different art spaces across the US and around the world. When it returns it will be catalogued and kept in the Brooklyn Art Library along with thousands of other sketchbooks.

If you've never heard of The Sketchbook Project before you can read more about it here. It's a project open to everyone, not just artists. You pay a small fee for your sketchbook and choose a theme that you would like to work with from the long list thats on the website. When you receive your sketchbook you will see that it has a unique barcode printed on the back, as well as your name, location, and chosen theme. The barcode makes it possible for the library to notify you every time somebody takes a look at your sketchbook!

I think it's a great initiative. It gives you the excuse to experiment and do your own thing for a while. It's also a really good way of getting your work out there for other people to see. 

Below are some photos I took of my sketchbook the night before I sent it off. I gave myself a lot of freedom with this project, and didn't worry about whether it was the best work I'd done or not. I just had a lot of fun with it, and ended up with something a bit crazy and unexpected. But hey, that's what sketchbooks are for in my opinion.