Nice to be at the birth of things

The Madonna with the long neck by Parmigianino C.1534

I thought I would wet the baby's head with a little art history idea.
The start of a theme that could be good for me to carry on over the coming year or so.

Nice being here
www.baggelboy.com

other people's 'skinerie

Perusing the space for ideas, I found this link somewheres - I think I followed the Moleskinerie link here and eventually ended up on YouTube. I admire this work by Takayashi Yoshinari. He, or maybe she, has created a single piece, 'Flow', which runs throughout the book, leading on from the previous page. It's such a simple idea, but beautifully executed. I especially like the way they've imagined a virtual extension to some of the pages and left the real page only to join it again at a different point, often a different page. Why don't I think of these things?!

There are several in this collection from 2006 on YouTube. At least a couple of contributors, Valeria Petrone, and Ted Goff, started by drawing two similar sized cells on each side of every page and used these as frames. I like that idea too.
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PS. numpty that I am, it's only just occurred to me that these two approaches are polar opposites!

biting the bullet: "detail" from first sketch

Are we supposed to be waiting for specific instructions? Are we having themes or anything? I just bit the bullet and did my first sketch. I was kind of afraid to get started, so I just plunged in and did a self-portrait. It was sketched from a photograph at the State Fair in NY taken by my daughter. It doesn't look quite like me, as likenesses are hard for me. And I made myself look younger than I really am, LOL! And it didn't scan all that well. I only included a detail since you will all see the actual sketch when the moleskine gets around to you.

decorations and blurb

I always hated/feared nice blank books if they were at all fancy. I preferred spiral notebooks or something plain and retiring. If they were fancy, I was afraid my work would deface them, so to speak.

This is my first ever Moleskine. And now I did my first defacement (but not my first sketch.)

I put my name, address, etc on the flyleaf page that says, "In case of loss, please return to," and a little blurb about myself, as suggested (I think) by Ammon.

I'm almost afraid to start my first sketch. I've never worked in a moleskine. If I work in a spiral notebook and goof it up, I can just rip out the page. (Eek!)

Let's Roll!

Start things off by filling up the first 7 pages of your own book. The mailing dates are the 15th of each month. I have decided to make the length of time a month, due to everyone being busy with life and other art projects and also to factor in shipping times. Do you level best to mail on the 15th or every month. If that falls on a weekend mail it early!

Can everyone draw in and mail their books by May 15th?

If something comes up and you need an extra day or two, get in contact with the person you are mailing to, so they know when to expect the package. Keep in touch!

As soon as I get addresses from Jeannette, Michelle and Johnnynorms I will email you the addresses and email addy’s for everyone involved. Staying in touch with the folks you are mailing to and receiving from is very important.

I will send out reminder emails near the 15th of every month, to keep this on everyone’s mind.

Post pictures to the blogger site of what you have drawn, received or want to share with the group!!

In just over a year you will have your Moleskine back full of great art from all over the world!

Happy Monday!

We are moving right along here. Moleskines are being ordered, people are sending me their mailing info, ideas are starting to float around my head for the first round of pages.

I have not heard back from Will Schaff, so I am assuming he is not going to join us. Ian and Michelle are on the fence, they are concerned that 7 pages are too much for 3 weeks at a time over the course of the whole year. What does everyone think about extending the time we have the books to a full month? Ian, Michelle, would this help? Ian also wants to know if he has to be held to the full 7 pages. Say he can only get to 3 or 4, is that okay with everyone? I told him I would put it out to the group and let everyone weigh in. This is my first attempt at organizing a Moleskine exchange, so everyone bear with me, we'll get all the details ironed out soon.

One thing you should all know about me, I spend the weekends away from the computer. So, if you write me on a Saturday or Sunday don't expect to hear back from me until Monday, okay?!

Friday Update

1. Me ~ in for sure, address recorded, Moleskine secured
2. Steve ~ in for sure, address recorded,
3. Ammon ~ in for sure, address recorded, Moleskine secured
4. Johnnynorms ~ in for sure, address recorded,
5. Willie B. ~ in for sure, address recorded,
6. Mike Cline ~ in for sure, address recorded,
7. Hanssolo ~ in for sure, address recorded,
8. Jeannette ~ NEED TO HEAR FROM
9. Ian R. ~ in for sure, address recorded, Moleskine secured
10. Michelle W. ~ in for sure, address recorded,
11. Mary ~ in for sure, address recorded, Moleskine secured
12. Baggelboy ~ in for sure, address recorded, Moleskine secured
13. Jessie H. in for sure, address recorded,

I am going to give everyone the weekend to say they are in for sure and email me their address, make sure no one wants to reconsider. Once you have secured your Moleskine, please edit this post and change your line to green. Once we are all green ... well, green means go blogger buddies!

Those Extra Pages

I mentioned this on Andrea's site but I thought I would post it here too: on those blank pages I think that it would be great (at least in mine) if everyone added something about themselves as they are drawing in the book. Not your life story just something like your name, city and state, where you are in life (art wise) and perhaps your ambitions. I wouldn't mind if you added more than that in mine but I don't want to be too pushy. In the end I think that it might add to the moleskins.

Hello Fellow Moleskinners!

I just wanted to say hello to all of the participants and that I am very much looking forward to seeing everyone's work.

Andrea, I am kind of blown away that "Moleskin Exchange" was still available in blogger.

Welcome ~ Welcome ~ Welcome!

This group, started by Andrea Martinez, is an extension of the many other Moleskine Exchanges going on all over the world. This blog will follow the adventure of a group of artists around the world, in a large Moleskine sketchbook exchange.

Each artist will set off with a large Moleskine sketchbook, creating a drawing, collage, or painting - anything goes here folks. Each artist will draw on (7 is our current number) pages in the book and then send it on to the next artist. Please note, a page in this case is considered one side of the piece of paper, we will be using front and back. When the artist’s book is filled, it will be returned to the owner with images created by artists around the world. Each artist has 3 weeks to make an entry and get the book mailed off to the next artist. The outcome will be a pleasant and surprising adventure, as artists are encouraged to interact and merge their art with others. Artists are also encouraged to submit to this blog, whatever steps they wish.

The concept:

1. The artists start with the large Moleskine sketchbook - Name, address, email address written in book.

2. Each artist gets 3 weeks to make a sketchbook entry, and mail it to the next person. The order will be posted soon.

3. Each artist will do 7 pages.

4. Artists are encouraged to interact with other images in the book. Please be respectful.

5. When the book is full, the book will be sent back to its original owner. Once this round is complete we will determine if we all want to go around again or substitute in other artists.

6. If an artist decides not to continue, he or she will simply keep their book when it comes back to them. The artist should email all of the participants to say they are not going to continue. We will decide, then, if we want to find a new person.

7. Please communicate regularly via email. Let each person know that you have received/sent the book. The goal is to have a dialogue. Any comments and questions are welcome.