Wednesday, January 12, 2011

The Sketchbook Project

my cover

The Sketchbook Project from ArtHouse Co-op
(click this link for details, images and video about the project)

 "It's like a concert tour, but with sketchbooks."

What an interesting project to be involved in.  Very few rules -  no pressure -  non-juried - anyone can participate... just plain cool!  

I love how my book turned out.  It's really just what I always do - random, automatic drawings that may or may not lead to a painting.  My book was about me just having fun - playing with crayons, graphite pencils, colored pencils, pastels, sharpies, paint - what ever I felt like doing at the time. My theme was "the view from up here" - which influenced the beginning of the drawings, but was mostly abandoned during the developement of them --- but that's how I roll.

The collection of submitted sketchbooks will travel around the country to multiple venues and wind up in the permanent collection of the Brooklyn Art Library.  I think it's time to start planning my road trip to see the whole project in person:

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Speaking of Procrastination....

Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task.
William James 

Monday, January 3, 2011

Procrastination: The number one resolution....why do we do it?

In an aqua light    24x36   mixed media & collage on panel 

Show deadline: Today.  And I'm still labeling, wiring, documenting ...and goofing around online.  WHY do I do this to myself?  The funny thing is, I know I'm not alone.  I asked a lot of people about their resolutions for the New Year and the most popular: To not procrastinate.  It was (is) on my list as well.  Yet here it is, January 3rd, and I'm still sweating out a deadline.  I was already behind because I was a major procrastinator last year.  So the way I figure it:  if it is a looming deadline that crosses the December/January timeline it doesn't count as this year's problem.  Right?  ... Right?  

Procrastinating is my version of a roller coaster ride.  The rush of adrenaline when pushing things to the last minute - it's absolutely exhilarating.  My palms sweat.  My heart is pumping.  I'm sleepless with the nervousness of the sheer number of items on the to-do list.  And it feels terrible!  And it feels wonderful -- wonderful when the deadline is actually met....the relief!

I have been successful (so far) in meeting deadlines where work was to be physically delivered.  I feel obligated to meet a deadline once the commitment is already made- no matter how I blast thru the door  as the last guns are fired. I've not, however,  been that successful with juried shows or gallery submission deadlines when just images are required- when I haven't fully commited to making the deadline.  I missed so many potential opportunities last year - because I just couldn't get my stuff together on time- so I just skipped it.  Why do I do this sort of procrastination: the kind where the deadline is missed - permanently- and no one is the wiser (except me.)  Is it self sabotage? Is it fear of rejection? Is it laziness? Is it all of the above?  This sort of procrastination feels the worst.  I do it with other things in my life as well.  This is the sort of procrastination that I MUST STOP.  I really must.  

I've purchased the new calendar to keep me on track.  I've penciled in some deadlines.  Now: for the hard part.  Doing it.