Sketchbook Project 2012, complete!

I've been a busy bee for the past few weeks. One of my big accomplishments was finishing up my Sketchbook Project 2012. I really enjoyed letting loose and experimenting with this project. I started it at a time when I literally hadn't drawn a thing in MANY months. I hit a major creative slump last year, and the combination of this and the PiBoIdMo challenge really whipped me into shape - and unlike how I feel about physical exercise (hee hee) I LIKED it! Getting started was tough, but once I marked up a few pages, images just poured right out. I played with technique and style. I didn't worry much about making mistakes - they just turned into happy accidents.
I encourage anyone interested in trying the Sketchbook Project to just do it. The book was a lot shorter this year than the 2011 books, so that made it way less intimidating for me. I can't wait to go visit the books on tour with other artist friends too. Go check it out here.

What I'm Working On

For the sparse amount of free time I've had this is the most productive I've felt in at least a year! I've been loving the PiBoIdMo challenge this year. Not only the amazing posts from all the guest authors and illustrators (thank you Tara Lazar!) but the actual results! Halfway through the challenge and I'm going strong. I feel like once I took the pressure off myself to finish certain goals, the ideas are just flowing out for the challenge. I know hard work is ahead when I try to revisit these ideas and write picture book drafts, but I'm looking forward to picking from so many different directions.
I'm also happily working away in my Sketchbook Project. Another place that I've just let loose without worrying too much about the results. I really have been missing out by not painting in my sketchbooks. It's really quite freeing!

What I'm Working On

I signed up for Sketchbook Project 2012, choosing the theme 'Treehouse'. I keep waffling on my approach. But even the waffling is good for me. I'm filling pages in my regular sketchbook with ideas for the cover, spreads, and possibly a very loose story arc. Who knows what the final product will be, but it's still great exercise for my drawing hand (and brain).
I'm also spending a little time working on my long-suffering picture book dummy. I hope to bring a revised version to a critique group next month. I have 4 pages to edit, and cover sketches to play with before then. I used to wonder at author/illustrators telling tales of how many years it would take for projects to reach fruition. Oh, how I totally understand that now!

Sketchbook Project: Space Gallery Portland, ME

It was so much fun to follow favorite artists as they worked on their Sketchbook Projects last year. I can hardly wait until I get to see their books in person. For a long weekend at the end of March and beginning of April, the Sketchbook Project comes to Portland, Maine's Space Gallery. It's a fairly small venue, and I heard the Brooklyn opening was absolutely packed, so I hope that traveling with a group of friends will let me get my hands on the following artist's books:
Kathy Weller
Jannie 'Chickengirl' Ho
Ann Marie Piantedosi
Crystal Driedger
Elizabeth Caldwell
Laura Zarrin
Kelly Medina