Sketchbook

Below are pages from my sketchbook.  I have to admit I am struggling with keeping a sketchbook.  This was one part of the course I was particularly keen to keep working on and to improve upon.  However, I am finding that I am disorganised with regard to this.  I am by nature a very organised person and so am very frustrated about this.  I find it hard to know what to work on in my sketchbook.  I know that I should record anything that inspires me.  I was determined to work for at least 10 minutes a day in my sketchbook but in reality I have been avoiding doing this.  I think it is one of those situations that the more I think about it the less likely I am to actually do anything about it.  I know I am worrying too much about what to do in the book.  I find when I do start to work in it there are so many choices as to which materials to use and then how should I record things large or small.  I realise I should really just work through as many as I can so that I see where it leads.  I keep telling myself this but am feeling quite uptight about sketchbook work.  

After reading the books The Found Object in Textile Art by Cas Holmes and Creating Sketchbooks for Embroiderers and Textile Artists by Kay Greenlees I have decided on a plan and that is to set aside a certain amount of time each day or at least 5 days a week to work in my sketchbook.  I am going to use inspiration that I find around me either when out walking or visiting somewhere and from the books and magazines that I have.  I will carry my camera everywhere.  I will use different materials each time although I do have favourites that I am sure I will continue to use each time.  One big realisation for me is that I think it is the word 'sketchbook' that is putting me off and I have decided that mentally I must call this my ideas book.

I am also going to as many exhibitions as I can and hoping to take inspiration from any sketchbooks that are there.  It is good to see how other people collect their ideas together.  I visited an exhibition last week by Cheshire Textiles who are a small group of contemporary textiles artists.  The artists had a few of their sketchbooks alongside their final pieces and I found them very inspiring.  I am blogging about this exhibition in a separate page. 

References

Holmes, C. (2010). The found object in textile art. Loveland, Colo.: Interweave Press.
Greenlees, K. (2005). Creating sketchbooks for embroiderers and textile artists. London: Batsford.