Last year, I participated in the Sketchbook Project 2011. If you'd like to see all of the pages I did online, lusciously displayed, visit the digital library, which is hosted by the organizer, The Brooklyn Art Library. The theme I chose for this project was: This is not a Sketchbook.

  ; ^ ) It was the first time I had ever worked in an art journal. It was such a good experience for me that a few months ago signed up for the Sketchbook Project 2012. After registering I received a slightly smaller sized journal with thicker paper, custom designed for the project. A booklet with an introduction and rules was included.

The idea is you register, choose a theme, work in your sketchbook and send it back to the art house co-op by the deadline. All of the sketchbooks are bar coded and enter the Brooklyn art library (home of the art house co-op). The Sketchbooks are also taken on tour as a travelling art exhibit!

The deadline for signing up for the 2012 project has now passed but a new sketchbook project was recently announced: The Sketchbook Project Limited Edition Vol. 1. This project is open to only 5000 participants and due in their hands April 30th, 2012.

To give you an idea of the size of these projects, the Sketchbook Project 2011 had over 28,000 register and 10,000 sketchbooks were completed on time, added to the Brooklyn Art Library and went on tour. "

The Limited Edition presents a series of experiments inspired by the Sketchbook Project. Each Limited Edition project brings together a smaller community of artists to share the Sketchbook Project experience in a whole new way." 

I have signed up for the Limited edition too! So, I best start my Sketchbook 2012 Project due January 31st, don't you think??

I am seriously toying with the idea of removing the staples in the middle of the spine and changing the pages so perhaps they unfold? Then possibly sewing the pages back in myself. As long as the dimensions remain the same -5.25 W x 7.25 H, (32 pages 70lb text stock, 100% recycled paper) and the sketchbook does not exceed 1" in thickness, it is okay to modify the book.

My theme is"The encyclopedia of". I am still thinking on this. 

Etymology: from Latin encyclopedia "course of general education," from Greek enkyklios "general, all-around," literally, "circular" and Greek paideia "education, child rearing": a work that contains information on all subjects or one that covers a certain subject thoroughly usually with articles arranged alphabetically. Wish me luck! 

Anyone one else out there registered for either The Sketchbook Project 2012 or the Sketchbook Project, Limited Edition? I would love to see what you are doing!

I'll be back with progress on this soon.

Yours creatively, lenna