moly_x_23

Finally ...

2010-02-09T10:31:00.000-08:00

I've put pen to paper at last and have a moly ready to send on. I spent an extraordinary amount of time trying to think of what to draw and decided to just go with my favorite subject. If you're looking for inspiration in my book, just draw what you love.

Round 2?

2010-01-05T09:36:00.000-08:00

Now that the holidays are over and things are calming down, I wondered if we want to give this another go around? I have my book back and am more than willing to send it on if people are interested.

Happy New Year!

One Round Done.

2009-12-13T06:22:00.000-08:00

I got my book back a few weeks ago, but with one thing and another I'm just having a chance to upload the images. Robert did an amazing job on his last addition, as did all of the artists. I have to tell you, this is a thing of beauty and I will treasure it.

Thank you.

Mine

Kathleen

Shane

Megan

Lisa

Robert

Almost embarrassed to post this!

2009-11-09T10:46:00.001-08:00

Yes. I've had this Moleskine for almost the whole year (sorry). I'm posting the current state of the drawing to show that I am now working on it and will have it sent at some point in this lifetime. It's been similar with the other 4 Molys I have as well. I've still got a bit to do on this one. I used white ink, which I've never done before, and I need to do some tests (in another moleskine) with using pencil or charcoal on top of the ink for some shading. So far everything is ink (except her eyes). So sorry for my delay in this.

Yes, a new Moly entry is done!! :))

2009-08-08T10:36:00.001-07:00

Finally! You know, I have had the idea, and then the sketch, and then the watercolor, and then the ink, in my mind and then on the paper for nigh on 6 months now (maybe more!). So sorry to be so behind, but hope you like this finished product!!!
Oh, btw, the full view (below) is before I inked it.

Just checking in on everyone!

2009-06-06T22:42:00.000-07:00

I moly/flickr friends!! Just checking in on everyone :)) Do we have any new molys to see yet? Would love to see our books moving again!!!

Who has molys...

2009-03-30T15:58:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends!!
I hope all is well. It has been a long time since we have seen any movement with our group. Please let me know what molys you have and if you would still like to participate in a second round to fill our molys up.

Currently I do not have any molys from our group in my stack.

Karen's Moly is moving on now...

2009-01-23T11:35:00.000-08:00

I finally have Karen's moly done and will be sending it to Robert today.
I had a tough time deciding what to draw...there were just so many things from childhood that helped shape me as an artist...finally settled with nature since that it what I drew the most as a child. Hope you like it Karen!!!

Round 1 Done for Kathleen's.

2009-01-11T10:45:00.000-08:00

I just finished up Kathleen's moly and it's very cool. What a talented bunch we are! Kind of tough to get an idea of the whole piece at this point, but here's a close-up of my contribution and the whole moly. It fit in with the travel theme more at 3 o'clock in the morning when I thought of it. Ah well, hopefully Kathleen will like it. I hope to have it out to you tomorrow.

Holy cow! I finally finished this!

2008-12-12T23:55:00.000-08:00

Sorry this took me so long! I was originally going to draw a guy pulling a rickshaw but just couldn't get too motivated about it. Don't ask me why I couldn't get motivated about that, but could about a monotonous map! For as simple as this thing looks, it took quite a while to put together. I'm actually happy with it! Hope you like it, Kathleen!

Three Fish with Flowers in Shane's Moly

2008-12-09T07:55:00.001-08:00

I finished up my pages (turned out to be 4!) in Shane's Moly last night by adding some ink and some more red to the zinnias. Now it is ready to go back to Shane! I hope he likes it!

This segues just to the right of Karen's work, seen in the previous post below.

Finally Found An Hour.

2008-11-17T13:22:00.000-08:00

It gets nuts around here in the fall, but I finally managed to sit down and work on Shane's moly today. It seems to have an underwater theme, so I tried to go with it. Still managed to sneak a flower in. Hee hee.

‘What’s in your Moleskine’ Contest Deadline 11/14

2008-11-11T14:27:00.001-08:00

Promote yourself and moly_x. Enter your fabulous moly_x entries.

Moleskine, the heir to the legendary notebook, wants to know what’s inside your Moleskine! With over 140 different formats and styles, there are many different ways to use a Moleskine—to sketch, write, watercolor, reflect, collage, collect mementos and as photo albums.

In celebration of creativity and imagination, Moleskine is looking for readers to share photos and comments about their Moleskines. Email pictures of what’s in your Moleskine to webmaster@chroniclebooks.com with the subject line “MOLESKINE.”

Five submissions will be randomly selected to receive a Free Moleskine Pack of Notebooks. The pack will include a Pocket Ruled Notebook, a Pocket Sketchbook and a Pack of Plain Kraft Pocket Cahiers.

We’ll post the images on an upcoming post announcing the winners! Also check out our Facebook Company Page to see the latest entries. Entries must be submitted by Friday Nov 14th.

Putting On My Thinking Cap.

2008-10-22T13:59:00.001-07:00

I have Shane's moly in my hot little hands and it is fantastic! It's going to take some thinking to decide how to follow what has already been done.

the "Travel" moly is on the move....

2008-10-19T23:38:00.000-07:00

I decided to draw one of my father's antique trucks he has sitting out back. Next to it is an antique fire truck. Both in need of restoration. Some of my most treasured childhood memories revolve around old antique cars/trucks. I just love them, even in this sad state of disrepair.
Kathleen's Moly is on it's way to Robert!!

Kathleen: here is your moly in it's entirety (well almost, the scanner cut off part of a panel on your drawing...but I thought you would get the basic jest of it... ;-)

We will have a guest artist this month!

2008-10-12T22:15:00.001-07:00

Hi All!
I spoke with Robert on Friday. He will be out of town for the week, but wanted everyone to know that a friend of his really wanted to add a little something to Shane's moly. So Karen, keep a look out this week for that moly to land in your mailbox. When it arrives, will you scan it and share what Robert's friend drew? I am very curious to see his style of drawing :)) Robert says he is quite talented.

Shane, have you sent any onto Meg yet? I know Meg, and Kathleen are anxious to do a bit o' drawing. ;-)

Happy days to you all,
Lisa

Hello Moly 23(ers)

2008-10-09T09:39:00.000-07:00

I learned a new trick from one of the other groups I am in. I have put our addresses into the email box on settings.... its just that if we use the c box we don't get notification of comments. using the blog for our questions etc would keep everyone in touch.....and keep the blog lively. I have been looking through the older blogs, there are a lot dying through lack of communication, a couple haven't even taken off at all :-( So, let's talk :))))) I would love to see our group moving again.

I have Kathleen's moly ready to send to Robert. I will send Karen's on the beginning of next month. How do you all feel about allowing molys to move on that are overdue? I am thinking that if we have more than 1 moly from this group in our possession and we are a bit backed up at home to go ahead and send the older moly on to keep it moving. We can then fill more than the 2.5 pages at the second rotation. Being in more than group I know how daunting a few molys staring you in the face can be. The goal is to have fun and not to stress you out. So lets say we start moving our molys again. :))

Also, don't forget to post your latest images here so we can have a fun sharing and interacting with each other. I also thought it would be fun to brainstorm here if we get a bit stuck on what to do next. Would love to hear from you all!!

Meg's Moly August Entry

2008-09-04T14:52:00.001-07:00

I finished up my work in Meg's Moly by adding a bit of shadow to what I had already done. Hope you all like it! :)

Lots of Work to Do......

2008-09-04T09:18:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!! Thought you would find it fun to see the molys hanging out at my house. Three of which need to find their way to a new home ASAP....

I was thrilled to see Kathleen's and Karen's molys come last week from Meg! I was very giddy all evening showing them to my family. I feel so lucky to have such fantastic artwork living, for too short of a period, in my home.

I love the way Shane incorporated his design in with Kathleen's for her moly. It really gives the overall piece a lot of depth and personality! I just can't help but smile when I look at his drawings. I would love to show you the details in Meg's drawings, they are both simply amazing. (However, I promised I wouldn't give it away [ too much anyway ;-) ] ) If Megan hasn't posted detailed scans in the next week, then I will, so you all can see the fun work being done here!

Now, off to work I go...what I shall do....I don't know!!!!!

Moly_X_Hydrangea

2008-07-29T10:45:00.001-07:00

I got lots of valuable advice on Flickr about whether to do any more to this than the first picture I posted. Well, I felt all along it needed a LITTLE something, so I did go ahead and add some ink to my watercolor. Hope you all like it!

Having So Much Fun!

2008-07-23T05:57:00.000-07:00

As a full-time stay-at-home mom and part-time artist, I tend to be very introverted artistically. I sit here in my little corner of the world and do my thing. I think that's why I am LOVING this moleskine exchange — it's giving me the chance to get out of my comfort zone artistically. I'm coming up with things to draw that never would have occurred to me otherwise.

That being said, here's my addition to Megan's moly -- hope you like it. (ink, watercolor, colored pencil)

Karen's Moly

2008-07-14T22:44:00.000-07:00

..so, I'm a little late to the posting game..sorry...I'll start posting from now on....anyway, this is my addition to Karen's Moleskine........I really wanted to do the bubbles all the way into the other drawings, but I wasn't sure if that was ok.................hope all is well with everyone, cheers!

Shane's Moly ready to go....

2008-07-07T22:57:00.000-07:00

My addition to Shane's moly. :)
Finally ready to send on to Robert...
All these molys are so fun to see! I have a hard time letting them out of my hands and mailing them on... Looking forward to the next round!!

This is before I added color to the sea dragon...

Adding to Robert's Moly

2008-07-02T16:33:00.000-07:00

The third installment, done and soon on its way to Shane. It's funny how the Moleskine resists the watercolor at first, and then accepts it. Maybe if you got the whole surface wet first then all the colors would flow smoothly?
This was fun to do. It is so fun to see how each person's drawing relates to the previous one. Keep up the good work, everyone!

P.S. See my Flickr for a photo that shows more of the Moly (including some of Karen's flowers).

Living With Lisa's Moly.

2008-06-24T18:44:00.000-07:00

Lisa was one of my first online buddies, so I was very excited to receive her moly from Robert last week. I've admired her work for a long time, I think since I saw her Nutcracker Christmas card of a few years past. Let me tell you people, looking at it online is nothing like seeing it in person. There are so many layers of color and fantastic ink work. Robert's work is just as impressive! I can't paint my kids at all, let alone with watercolor in a slick little moly.

It's been sitting up on my shelf, safe from little hands, lonely and forlorn, wondering if I was ever going to get over my idiotic fear. Sigh. The scary thing is I had an idea right away, but I didn't want to screw it up. Today I had a break between kids and design work and decided it was time. I'm not sure if I'm happy with it and since I have time, I'm going to live with it for a bit, but here it is — natural man-made container. I'm a dork, aren't I?

Megan's Moly

2008-06-23T10:43:00.001-07:00

Yay!! I finally have Megan's moly ready to ship off to Robert... I was hoping to work in all the molys at my home over my vacation...but that obviously didn't happen. Shane's moly will be coming to you next Robert... I have been toying with what to do for the past few days and think I have the concept down.

BTW that is a sea shell she is handing off to you, so good luck!!! :)

Lisa's Moly

2008-06-14T21:41:00.000-07:00

Here's my contribution to Lisa's Moly.

Watercolor.

Three weeks ago I had three Molys kicking around my house. After Monday I'll have zero!

The Child Picasso

2008-06-04T15:20:00.001-07:00

I added the ink lines to my entry in Karen's Moly this morning, so I will be able to send it on to Shane tomorrow.

The drawing is a combination of Picasso's portrait of his son (at least, I think it is his son, but I couldn't find out on line) and Karen's children's art supplies. See for a picture of the portrait: http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m305/llort_2006/picasso_Portrait_Paul_picasso_1923.jpg

My addition to Shane's Moleskine

2008-06-01T14:39:00.000-07:00

I'll leave everyone in suspense as to the placement and the size, for now ;p Definitely my own style, but taking hints from Shane's more geometric designs. This was fun - my first drawing on someone else's Moleskine!

Harder Than I Thought.

2008-05-26T20:21:00.000-07:00

The easy part of adding to Robert's moly was deciding that the flies needed something to land on. The hard part was getting up the nerve to mark in his book. Eeek! After stalling for several days — is that what all that yard work was? — I finally got to it today. And it went so well, I finished it too.

I love mail!

2008-05-22T12:57:00.000-07:00

Hooray! Shane's AMAZING moleskine just arrived at my doorstep. I am sooo inspired by having it here in the flesh. I cannot wait to nail down an idea and get to work adding to it. Refresh my memory - when do these need to be sent on again? June 1st or 15th? Happy Moleskine-ing! :)

Black Walnut - "Container"

2008-05-19T08:27:00.001-07:00

Hello Moly 23s... Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! I missed the mail office before they closed on Saturday, so I will have this in the mail to Robert today. I have heard from Shane, he has been having technical difficulties getting onto our blog but hopefully he will be receiving a new invite from Marty soon. :) Check out his flickr stream to see his amazing moly that is traveling to its new home for the next few weeks.

My 1st Moleskine page - ever!

2008-05-17T08:06:00.001-07:00

My little painting, in its loverly container, is on its way to Lisa! I really love what I came up with even though, upon looking at the pages of others, I realized that I'm pretty much the minimalist of the group! Which is not my normal moniker, that's for sure.

Ah well, I'll take it. :)

Anyway, I found myself in CVS getting various sundries and I ACTUALLY REMEMBERED SOMETHING WHILE I WAS IN THE STORE (these hair ties)! I'm sure you all can relate to having all sorts of ideas at home, in the car, etc. and then you find yourself in a store where you might actually be able to purchase said item and you completely space out. Yeah, I do that a lot - but not this time! And thus, this little painting was born :)

I don't know what led to this....

2008-05-16T00:11:00.000-07:00

It's on its way to you Karen!

Don't ask me what I was thinking when I did this. I've not really drawn/painted anything like this before. I think next time I'll stick with charcoal.

Getting closer...

2008-05-15T01:02:00.000-07:00

It has been a crazy couple of weeks... got a little behind on my moly, but it is getting closer now. :) The cover is done, the signature page is done, and the back pocket is done. I will be putting a few of my cards in the pocket, feel free to take one and leave one of yours for me. I am hoping to finish this up and get it sent to Robert by Friday!

This is the preliminary sketch for my contribution to the inside pages. I hope you all enjoy adding to this!!!

2008-05-14T12:13:00.000-07:00

Oppose Orphan Works
This post was put up on Moly_19 and I think it's important enough that everyone should see it. I read it and was shocked at what's going on behind our backs.

Hi all. I thought this article at "Drawn" might be of importance to many of us who post our art online. Please don't hesitate to take action as soon as possible. It only takes about five minutes.

First Travel Moly done!

2008-05-12T15:10:00.001-07:00

I finished my first entry in the Travel Moly_23 over the weekend, and was able to scan it today, so it should go out to Shane tomorrow. Looking forward to what's to come!
Flickr was having LOTS of problems today, so I didn't get this loaded there yet.
Hope to see more from everyone else soon! :-)

How Do You Do It?

2008-05-05T14:48:00.000-07:00

The inspiration for my theme comes from watching my children. When the two of them draw and create, there are no insecurities, no rules and no judgments. They just pick up a crayon and have fun.

Between teachers, clients and responsibilities, my artistic road has been bumpy. I've spent too much time being practical about my art and too little time just doing it. I think I'm on the right path now — I'm back to creating art because it's something I have to do.

I suppose I'm wondering how other artists continue, in spite of having grown up. Think about it Kathleen — you're up next.

The countdown Starts!!

2008-05-05T08:08:00.001-07:00

Hello Everyone!!
From what I can tell everyone is still in the group and has their moleskine. We have just over a week and a half to mail off our books. (Feel free to mail early if you get it done sooner. This will give the next person on the list more time to draw in yours and mail it off by June 1st)

Just as a reminder here is the mailing order:
Karen HAS MAILED HER MOLY to Kathleen
Kathleen mails to Shane
Shane mails to Megan
Megan mails to Lisa
Lisa mails to Robert
Robert mails to Karen

See the email I sent a few weeks ago for the mailing addresses. If you have lost the email let me know and I'll resend :)

I am looking forward to seeing all your molies showing up here!

A question about my 1st Moleskine...

2008-04-29T13:16:00.000-07:00

Saffy lords over my new Moleskine. It's so nice and new... I do have one question, though. I got this kind of Moleskine:

WATERCOLOUR NOTEBOOK
The portable atelier for painting and drawing.
Heavy paper, 200 gsm – 25% cotton fiber – cold pressed, identical on the both sides, specially created for Moleskine.
Pocket: 60 pages. Large: 72 pages.

What do you all think? I love it, but, if it's not keeping with the true mission of the exchange, I'll go and get the standard Japanese fold version.

I bought it and then thought, "Hmm... was there a guideline related to this?" So, I looked back at the email and there was. I thought this would be the best place to post about this to see what everyone thought.

Now What?

2008-04-25T13:51:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!
First of all, kudos to Lisa for organizing such a fantastic, unique group of artists. I was enviously following some of the other moly exchanges, but I never gave a thought to starting one myself. So thanks Lisa!

After a week of stalking the mailman, my moly has finally arrived. Right now the little sucker is sitting on my desk, staring at me and daring me to open him up. I will. Soon. When I get over my neurotic self. All of that artistic angst is good for something though — it's given me an idea for a theme.

"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up."
—Pablo Picasso

Or something like that. Maybe. ;-)

Welcome Artists!!! Let the Xchanging commence

2008-04-23T21:37:00.000-07:00

I am thrilled to start this little adventure with all of you. Hope your moleskines are arriving and inspiration has been mulling around in your noggins. The plan is to get the first round of Molys exchanged no later than May 15. Then we only get a few weeks to get the 2nd round mailed.. after which we get a leisurely month to complete our entries.

Please use this space as a way to communicate, share our completed and works in progress, questions, over all support of one another... Hey, it is our Exchange we dictate what we want here. ;)

Welcome to moly_x_23!

2008-04-23T07:19:00.000-07:00

This group, founded by Lisa Cheney-Jorgensen (USA), is an extension of the Moleskine Exchange. This blog will follow the adventures of a group of artists from around the USA, in a Japanese fold Moleskine sketchbook exchange.

Each artist will set off with a small Japanese (accordian) folded Moleskine. Creating a drawing, collage, or painting, then send on to the next artist. Each artist will draw on a couple of spreads (2.5 pages) then send it on to the next artist. When the artists book is filled, it will be returned to the owner with images created by artist around the world. Each artist has a month to make an entry. The outcome will be a pleasant and surprising adventure, as artists are encouraged to interact and merge their art with others.

The concept:

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

2. Each artist gets 1 month to make a sketchbook entry, and mail it to the next person. The order is listed to the right.

3. Each artist will do around 2.5 pages each round. As we are 6 participants everybody will then get the Moleskine twice until it gets returned to its owner. But feel free to sometimes use a little more or less than 2.5 pages.

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

5. When the book is full, when one side of the unfolded book is filled, the book will be sent back to its original owner. That artist may continue by buying a new book and sending it to the next person.

6. If a person decides not to continue, she will simply keep her book when it comes back to her. She should email all of the participants to say she is 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.

This moly_x_project was begun by Marty Harris, Minnesota, USA.