the sketchbook project

so i love the design*sponge web site. i check it multiple times every day. it makes me happy.

but today i did something i never do on the d*s (or, really, any other) site. i clicked on an ad. i just don't do that. i find most ads to be unappealing and in my way. but this one was different. in fact, i clicked on it before i realized it was an ad. it appeared to be a d*s post. what was it for?

the sketchbook project.

you'll have to check out their site for the full scoop, but here's the general gist. you sign up for the project & pick a sketchbook theme. you receive a blank sketchbook in the mail, fill it up & send it back. then the returned sketchbooks tour the country in a series of exhibits before being permanently archived at the brooklyn art library. doesn't it sound great?

it's not juried - every one who sends back a sketchbook is included in the tour. plus the sketchbooks are barcoded, so the artist knows when & where their book is being looked at. and for an extra fee, they'll digitize the finished sketchbook & upload the pages to their online library.

i think it sounds awesome.

and i have until the middle of january to fill the book. i can do that! there are about two dozen themes to choose from, and i can use the theme as literally & stringently as i want. i can rip the pages out & add different ones. i can fill it with photos or paintings or autumn leaves. i can turn it into a miniature shadow box if i wanted. it's mine. and when i'm done, it's going to tour the country.

again, i think it sounds awesome.

now i just need to choose my category. :)

and you should check it out here and think about signing up, too. why? because it's awesome.