Sketching as an art form

When I first began creating jewelry I didn't sketch anything. What need was there? I had no real concept of 'designing' nor was I doing much more than mimicking what someone else had done or reproducing the project in a book. Not too long after though I began creating my own designs. These normally came together on the bench, in real time, 'organically'. (dontcha love that word? So many uses.)

The above sketch is one my son did to help me when he was 6. Aren't kids great?

As I have progressed in my journey I have begun sketching more and more. Sometimes it is because I have a stone that deserves major thought before use. I might trace it several times on a page in my sketch book and then design various renditions of how the stone could be incorporated into some stunning design. (in my dreams anyway). Other times it is because a technique appeals to me, say a rivet, and I want to consider outlandish ways to use it. I can easily fill a whole page with mechanical contraptions utilizing the tiny rivet. Still other times I sketch because I have seen something that stirs me. Such is the case last night. I saw an usual cloud formation and knew right away that it had to be made into a piece of jewelry. So I got out my sketchbook.

My sketchbook is a simple 5x7ish spiral bound book with heavy weight paper. There is a pocket in the front where I stash a pencil and sometimes a few clippings. I realized to my surprise last night that the sketchbook is about a quarter full and although I haven't made that many items from it, its a source of not only inspiration for me, but comfort as well. Those are loved pages. They speak to me, they have been borne out of the maddness of my mind....they are both a release and a 'returning'. They are familiar and worn....and reveal a moment in time to me. In some ways they are memories but they are also promises of things to come.

It is a humble thing. Most pages are filled with pencil sketches....full of smudges. Every now and then a page will fall open that is bursting with color. Those pages have colored stones or resin parts or foliage that pratically leaps off the page. But that is where the excitement ends. And thats ok with me. Although some sketchbooks are almost works of art in themselves, I know I don't have the time currently to invest in creating that kind of work of art. In truth, I rarely have time to create jewelry! However, for those who create layers and texture and other-wordly things in their sketchbooks - I thank you! It is a real treat to see them. For those who don't and wonder what they may be like, please browse the following links:

Jaqueline Ryan - sketchbook

Carolyn Bensinger - sketchbook (be sure to click each category, then you see multiple pages)

Aidan Lamb - Sketches

Kirsten Skiles - sketching

Eye Trouble - sketches

Peggy Cochran - just a glimpse of her book

Enjoy, and if you're brave enough, leave a comment with a link to a picture of a page in YOUR sketchbook! If you do, I'll incorporate it into a post in the next day or two with pictures of my sketchbook! :)

Oh, back to my son's sketch - here is what became of it. I PROUDLY wear it even though I fried off one of the cross wires. Not a design flaw, an exectution flaw for sure!

Janice