Happy Christmas and New Year!

Hopefully everyone had a great Christmas. I know I did. I'm excited to see more from everyone in the new year ! :) Take care!

what's that noise???

Here is my contribution to Natalie's Music Moly. I decided on having a PSYCHEDELIC HEAVY METAL ROCKING group of wild birds adapting the German nursery rhyme "Alle Voegel sind schon da". :) You can listen to it here while looking at the drawing ...

2nd time around

Hi there! Things finally got going again at my place! My "Creature" Moly has completed its first round and will travel on tomorrow. I've also started drawing in Natalie's "Music" Moly and I think I can take it to the post office by the end of this week.

Hi !!!!!

Hey everybody,

Hopefully everyone is doing well. I'm just checking in to see where we are at. No chatter for a month. I know school started again for Suzanne and I sent two books to Diana that took forever because I wrote the address backwards . And Natalie was swamped at work. I'm just really excited to see more cool drawings. More drawings , yeah , more drawings :) talk to you soon.

-Joey


-Joey

Suzanne's Moly

Suzanne's Moly made it's long trip from Germany and successfully arrived at my house yesterday. It looks beautiful so far.

FYI, I may be a little later with my entry than usual for this one. Half the design department, at my company, quit over that last few weeks and until we hire a new designer, I'll be doing the work of three people. So, I'm a tad busy at the moment. :-)

I am looking forward to adding to the book. I'm thinking of a few ideas already.

Suzanne's Moly

Soooo, I finally got going with Suzanne's Moly and added a few guys to Joey's caveman... The book will travel on tomorrow and will complete its first round soon.

2 books in one package

Okay Diana, I really sent them today. 2 Molys , Natalie's Music Moly and your Creature Moly. You should see them soon. I hate to have sent 2 Molys in one package but because I forgot to send the music moly I backed myself into a corner. Hope they have a safe trip.


-Joey

Location:47th Ave SW,Seattle,United States

What Was One, Now Is Two!

So I started and finished Diana's Monster Moly. This one was fun (like all of them) I decided to put a head on the Serpent Monster and introduce 2 new monsters. I kept it to just 2 pages in this one ( which was kinda tough ) since everyone else had just done 2 pages. I went with an Asian motif . But the monster head is part feline, part fish, with a snake tongue . I wonder if this monster exists yet in the mythologies of the world. I'm sure it does somewhere. Then I started the 2 other monsters out as dragons with a lot of scales. I used a metallic green watercolor on the 2 dragons that doesn't photograph well but looks awesome in person. After drawing this I feel like I should play some magic the gathering or wizards and warlocks or something (2 games I've actually never played in my life) it just has such a fantasy art feel to it.

Well Diana , sorry I have 2 books coming to you on the next shipment. I just realized I never sent Natalie's Music Moly. So you will be getting both of these together. I should be able to send them next week. I hope you guys like it.







-Joey

Location:Shilshole Ave NW,Seattle,United States

Creature on it's way! (Ooops!)

So . . . for the last couple of weeks I have been seeing this view as I work in my studio and look to the left. Every time I look over I see the next Moly and my practice Moly where I am trying to work out my distain and frustrations for the paper. Well this morning I was sketching some ideas for Joey's moly, intending to work on it today between binding a couple of sketchbooks, so pulled it over to look again at everyone else's work and to my shock and surprise - it is Diana's finished and un-mailed Creature moly! Sorry . . .

Here is my addition to Diana's Creature Moly. I was so excited to work on the actual Moly paper this time! My drawing is in Sharpie pen with the gears colored in with metallic markers. I kept wanting to add color but none of my "colored added" tests ever looked right, so I just left it mostly black and white. I also wanted the items inside the monster to look scared or uncomfortable, but I am wildly unsuccessful at making those sorts of anguished faces it turns out. So, as my daughter put it - "guess you settle for mystery rather than startling".

At one point while working on my drawing, I decided to add on some small robotic style creatures to my section of the larger creature, but they never seemed to work their way onto the page smoothly. I have left this trio in the pocket at the back of Diana's moly if someone else would like to use one or more - feel free.

Here is the entire length of the Creature so far.

I can't wait to get this one back; after finishing my drawing I had so many different ideas for what I could have added instead. I guess I had artist's remorse, which makes it feel unfinished to me.

It is on it's way Joey - for real this time!

An Update

Joey's book is here! It is so exciting when I see a small package in the mailbox, knowing it is a Moly to look at in person.

I am also very nearly done with Diana's creature Moly, hoping to mail it out by the end of the week.

I am so thrilled with our exchange! The books are looking fantastic and it really is a lot of fun.

The Study

I just finished Natalie's Music Moly. This one was fun. I drew a bunch of items from my studio. I'll be sending this one on to Diana on Thursday.

-Joey

Location:California Ave SW,Seattle,United States

Natalie's book has arrived !

I just received Natalie's book. It looks awesome ! I really like being able to see everyones work in person. This exchange is really cool because it allows artists to sit up close and personal with other artists work . I really enjoy that aspect of the Moleskine Exchange . Great work everyone. :)


-Joey

Location:47th Ave SW,Seattle,United States

Balloon Girl

I braved my 95 degree studio and finished my entry in Joey's book last night. I had a lot of fun with this one and am pleased with the way it came out. It was done in acrylic.

Here's my entry:


With Diana's Entry:


And the entire book so far:


It should be in the mail and on it's way to Suzanne today.

After Dark is in the mail !

Hey Diana, Suzanne's Moly is on its way to you. I Just dropped it off at the post office today. I Can't wait to see what you do in it.

Our Molys are turning out awesome. Every single one of them looks great. I like how we are all coming off each other and melding the drawings together. This is a really fun project.

-Joey

Guitar Out Loud

Well, I finished my addition to Natalie's Music moly today. I have been working out my idea over the last couple of days, by the time I got to my final I think I had four different versions of the same idea on my table. I was planning to just work directly in the moly and I think I just chickened out. I am scared I will mess up and working on a sheet and gluing it in gives me a safety blanket (and watercolor paper). I only have one little glitch from the glue in, where I lost the top of a note and it's to close to one of Natalie's to fix, but otherwise no problems.

Here it is with Natalie's work too . . .

This was a fun one to work in, thinking about music and how best to show how I imagine the sounds might look. My idea was more abstract than I usually work and I like how the colors turned out.

Watch your mail Joey, it leaves for your place tomorrow!

Now on to the creature . . .

Caveman Boogie!

I started and finished Suzanne's "After Dark" Moly today! I love it! It was alot of fun to work on this concept of things after dark. I decided to go with a cave man warrior hunter, a raccoon, a frog, and some bats. The caveman warrior hunter also has a nice owl hat, like you see in movies the guys with bear hats well he has an Owl hat.
I know it's ridiculous but isn't that the fun in it. I hope you guys like it. :












-Joey

Just received Suzanne's Moly

It looks great Suzanne! That 90lb paper glued in well. It looks like your book got a little wet in transit though. The back cover is a little warped and there is some water rings towards the end pages but nothing major. I'll get right on this. So the theme is "After Dark" right? I attached a photo to show the watermark.



-Joey

Diana's Book

I've finally finished my entry in Diana's book. It took me a little while to come up with something as drawing "creatures" isn't something that I do very often and is a bit of a challenge for me when I do. (This was good practice though. :-)) For my entry I used acrylic paint and pencil.

Here it is:

And along with Diana's:



Hope you like it. I'm sending it off to Suzanne today.

My Book: After Dark

The sign-in page of my Moly for the exchange. Done with Sharpie pen and watercolor right on the Moleskine paper (which I think is yucky).

My theme is After Dark, which allowed me to start with owls and I felt it was open enough to allow for lots of different interpretations.

Here is my first page completed and en route to Joey (sorry about the delay!). I used a sheet of 90 pound Arches hot press to create my work which was then glued into the actual book. This allowed me to work in my favorite medium - watercolor - without going completely crazy because of dealing with the paper.

Another view with the book standing so you catch a glimpse of the sign-in page and the entire first page in the book. The glue in addition of extra paper does not seem to be a problem, although it does leave a stark edge rather than a graceful bleed out to the next design.

Testing, Testing, 1,2,3 Testing...

This is a test of the Moly broadcast network. Remember this is just a test. You should have been sent an email that this post was... ummm... posted. If you did not, well, then I did something wrong. Let me know if you received an email when this posted. Thanks.

-Joey

Updates?

I really, really, really, want to draw in a Moly. Any updates. Where are we at?

Incoming & Outward bound

Received Natalie's book! Looks fabulous . . . planning sketch for my part done (I know, I know mine is not in the mail yet).

On going work (a preview) and out going (by the morning mail) - my moly. See the preview picture:

This is the sign in page, the sketch for my first entry is done too it just needs paint. Theme is "After Dark".

I am sequestered in my studio for the second day in a row (ah- summer) and I will finish and mail this to Joey by morning - first thing!

Anyone else ever wonder why the Moleskine folks don't put better paper in their books considering how many artists use them? Cause the paper sucks! Back to work.

The finished product.

Books sent and received

Just received Joey's book from Diana. It looks great!
Sent my book to Suzanne today, so that should be arriving in the next few days.

Sign in and first entry

Hi All. I've finally finished the sign in page and first entry of my Moly-x book. I decided to go with the theme "Music". I chose to make my first entry 1950s themed , but don't feel you have to continue with that specific genre of music. Do whatever "music" means to you. I'm looking forward to seeing what you all add to it. Now on to my entry in Diana's book.

Sign in Page:

First Entry:

Joey's Moly is here

Yay! Joey's Moly arrived yesterday and I started to continue his great drawing straight away last night. It will take me a couple of days though to have it ready to send on again.

Diana - My Moly is on the way !

I just mailed my Moly. I ended up getting it out a few days later than I wanted to but alas it is on the way! I know you will make it amazing.

-Joey

Diana's Moly

Just letting you know that Diana's Moly arrived safe and sound this morning.

Diana, it's even more amazing in person. I love your linework and textures. I look forward to working on it. Is there a particular theme to your book or is it open? I wasn't sure.

Just FYI, I'll have limited access to the internet over the next week, so I might not be able to respond to emails or posts too frequently.

-Natalie

My First Entry

Here is my first entry in my Moly. I should be sending it out on Monday.



-Joey

Location:California Ave SW,Seattle,United States

Hello!

Hi everyone! I'm Diana, a 33-year-old graphic designer and illustrator living in Hamm, Germany. This is the beginning of my moly which is already very excited to be on this big journey soon.
I've done a couple of black & white drawings recently so I'm probably still in the mood and the beginnig turned out b&w too. That doesn't mean you guys have to stick to that. Feel free to do whatever you fell like to this creature.

Title/Sign In Page Finished !

I finished my Title / Sign in page today. Here it is.


I'm going to start on my first entry today.

-Joey

Location:SW Edmunds St,Seattle,United States

Introductions 2

Hi,

For some reason blogger won't let me leave comments . So here is my introduction.

I am Joey. I work for a wholesale distributor selling HVAC equipment for my Day job. It is cool but not ideal. In my free time I draw and paint. I am a part of Twilight Artist Collective in West Seattle ( http://twilightart.net ) and I also show with Artifakt Art in Seattle ( http://artifaktsrt.org ) . For the past few years I have been working in a strictly non-representational style but recently I have rekindled my love of characters. I am really excited about this exchange. We are going to make some great books!

Introductions

Hi All! I'm really excited to start working with such a great group of artists. I thought it might be nice for each of us to introduce ourselves so we can get to know each other a little bit.

So I'll start. I'm Natalie and I live and work in New Hampshire, about an hour from Boston. For my day job I work as a web designer, designing websites for schools. In my free time I love to draw and paint (www.nataliecurtiss.com).

Starting On My Title Page

I'm glad that everyone is still excited about the Moly exchange . It took a while to get everything going. I'm starting with my Title page. My Theme is "Just Draw, Do What You Do Best" . I wanted to keep it open because I want every one to do their best work. And I think that leaving the theme open in my book allows everyone to do what they love to do. Here's a preview of my title page. This is a progress photo . I'll post another picture when I'm finished. This is going to be alot of fun.


Pens, Pens, Pens... Im a materials-aholic so post what your working with from time to time. Here's some pens.



-Joey

Location:SW Edmunds St,Seattle,United States

THEMES

I think it is best to each have our own theme. That way we have 4 different books. Just my 2 cents. What does everyone else think?

Excited to Get Moving!

I am thrilled to have this group set-up and moving forward!
Are we all coming up with our own theme for our book or are we coming up with a group theme? I have a couple of themes that I have been tossing around and I am hoping to have my moly started by the end of the weekend.
Let me know what you guys think on the theme issue. I don't want to assume we have our our and begin and then find out we are going to try and have the same theme as a group.

Let's do this :)

I'm really excited to get this going. We are using the large (8x5) Japanese fold Moleskine right?

Welcome to Moly_X!

WELCOME! to moly_x: an international moleskine sketchbook exchange. moly_x brings artists from all over the planet together to exchange sketchbooks, art, stories, and friendship. Artists gather here in small groups, exchanging Moleskine Japanese Fold Pocket Sketchbooks.

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 spread (2 or 3 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 2-3 pages each round.

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.