LE Sketchbook Project: Suitcase and Wallet

Sometimes I ponder decisions for days and weeks and other times I make an immediate gut reaction. When Arthouse Coop advertised their newest sketchbook project I dove right in and signed up immediately. In fact, they had me at 'included in a series of art books...' and I'm not certain I read much past that point.

Every contributor to the Sketchbook Project Limited Edition Vol. 1 will be included in a series of art books documenting the project. Together, the series will provide insight into the imagination and process of each artist participating in the project. Bound by the Brooklyn Art Library Press and hand-finished in our Brooklyn workshop, the book series will be published in the fall of 2012. [source]

My sketchbook arrived before I was finished the last Arthouse project and so it sat on my bookshelf waiting patiently for its chance to be used. After working on Valeria's traveling journal and creating an image that spoke about the time my husband was often away, traveling for work, I realized it was a subject I was interested in exploring further for my Distance and Time theme.

Unlike my previous two sketchbooks, I wrote out my thoughts and ideas then jotted down notes for images on each spread. I'm several spreads into the book but many of the pages have a few more tweaks before I deem them to be officially complete. Here is a look at the first spread.

Suitcase and Wallet

 

A tightly packed suitcase and a wallet left by the front door on a travel day. A sure sign that departure is imminent.

I used an old glue stick as a watercolour resist to add a little texture. Watercolour, ink and marker with four small circles. A common thread throughout this sketchbook will be circles and swirls, representing my husband and myself as well as our relationship.

If you're interested in participating in the Limited Edition Sketchbook project, there are still a few hundred spots available. Let me know if you're participating!

... J