moly_x_3

Moly book status as of 1st February 2012

2012-02-01T04:39:00.000-08:00

Ok just an update on all the moly books. Mostly for Rowland (can sense he's getting a bit frustrated:)

As of 1st February 2012:

Olivier (00) (USA) has 3 books: Rowland Jones' book, Barbara Luel and Emma Kidd. All finished (except for Emma's book as he'd like to draw a little more). Usually it would go to Karena Colquhoun (Australia) but as of 1st February, she is no longer in this group and has pulled out.

Jan Allsopp (Australia) has 2 books - Helena's book, Olivier's book. All finished. To be sent to Emma Kidd (Australia).

Karena Colquhoun has 3 books - Niniji's book and 2 more books that I'm not sure belongs to who. They could belong to Ewian (Norway), Jennifer Kraska (Germany) or Jan Allsopp. I will confirm when I get hold of Karena. She hasn't replied to my emails and there is only so much I can do from my part. She has only done 1 book and has not touched two books. She has already told me that she will be sending all the books back to me (she will not continue working on them). I have yet to receive them. This was 2 weeks ago when she told me that she would send them.

As I have already worked on Niniji's book last year, I will send it to Jan and work on the remaining 2 books from Karena (that is when I receive them).

And FYI now that Karena has pulled out, Olivier should be sending all 3 finished books from his end to me (Helena) as my name is after Karena. Our names on the homepage of this blog is the order of how the moly books travel. If that is the case, I will have a total of 5 books to work on because of the pile up...and that is ALOT. I don't want to rush with the books and I don't want to take my time either. So suggestions please? I'm happy for O to pass some of his books to anyone who is willing to work on them first. But as always this is open to discussion.

I hope everyone is clear with the book status. If anyone would like to correct me on the book status, please do so:) And I hope we are still in happy spirits!

And please guys, lots of positivity and creativity! This is supposed to be a fun project. And I understand it's gone through some hiccups but I bet it will be worth it when you get all your books back:)

1,2,3 c'est reparti... Three sketchbooks ready to go!!!

2012-01-31T18:19:00.000-08:00

Ok. I know have all 3 moleskines in my possession ready to go somewhere else. I just need to get addresses. Should I send Rowland's back to him, or forward it along with the other two? Also if Karena is out, who in Australia should I send the other two?

Rowland's book

Barbara's Book

Emma's Book

Although I reserve the right to add a few more things to Emma's book first. So where do I post all this?

oO

Hello, Sorry & Here are 2

2012-01-29T21:26:00.000-08:00

Sorry I've been absent for so long. I don't really have an excuse except, in hindsight, I can see I've been suffering severe artists block. I didn't realise it at the time though. Kept thinking I'll do it tomorrow, on the weekend, soon etc etc. The time moved on, as it does, and before I realised how bad it was a year had passed, as you well know. So sorry to hold you all up. Things are looking up here now and here are the two I've currently got.

In Helena's book (above)

and in Olivier's book.

Don't put out the flame

2012-01-23T19:49:00.001-08:00

Emma's book is now going to o_O.

p.s.: thanks for teaching me this blowing-with-a-straw trick!

EWian-and-Niniji, in Emma's book

2012-01-21T09:51:00.000-08:00

EWian's hot air balloons and buildings and pilotress lent me a lot of space for imagination. I decided to continue the flowiness seen in others' works in this book...
Will hold this book through the weekend to give some more "body" to my work, but almost ready to go. (we kinda' haven't heard from Olivier in a while though, should I send him another book or should I send it to someone who's been waiting for another book for ages instead?)

Emma's Moly from EWian (and...)

2012-01-14T16:37:00.000-08:00

Thank you EWian!! *Muah!*
Along with Emma's book also came a lovely postcard and these promarkers.

set up the mailing list

2012-01-05T11:14:00.000-08:00

Hi all,

Per Barberaluel's request, I've gotten the skinny from Melissa, the admin for group 82, on how to send a mail out to everyone when someone has posted, etc.

Here's the instructions as a friendly FYI:

From the "settings" menu within blogger click the tab for "email settings"
scroll down to the setting "email notifications"
type in the names you have, or make everyone an admin and let them add their own.

I've done this for your group, as well as checked and you all indeed do have Admin privledges.

Here's hoping the group will spring to life again and get flowing with goodness once more!

Cheers,

e

2011-12-29T08:05:00.000-08:00

Niniji's angel, our Moly_X_3 guardian angel and I, wish you happy new year!
Barbara

Merry Xmas, Buon Natale, Nadolig Llawen

2011-12-18T11:03:00.000-08:00

Hello guys,

I see that there have been no postings since October... and I haven't seen a book since I sent two onward on 3rd February. Maybe my expectations were wrong... I expected this to be a project that might be reasonably fast-moving-- each person hanging on to a book for a week or two or may be a month at the most. Or if they have too many other commitments, then doing something spontaneous the day they get it and keep it moving.... ah well.

Have a great Xmas and a Happy New Year everybody,
Rowland

Jenn's entry - Jan's book

2011-10-16T05:02:00.000-07:00

Well this took longer than anticipated.......

I had a great deal of difficulty following Barbara's entry.....so beautiful, delicate and full of meaning. Seemed anything that I tried to do was shallow in comparison.

It's mostly gouache with felt pen over it. The purple flower (columbine) was done on watercolor paper and cut out.

Will mail asap.

Hope all are well.

--Jenn

oO update

2011-09-24T17:48:00.000-07:00

Hello,

This is just a quick note that I'm back in action and should be able to finish and send the 2 moleskines that I currently have in my possession and send then along to Australia.

A lot of stuff has been happening over the summer so the whole sketching thing, or at least the MolyX component of it, had to take a back seat. I've recently decided with my business partner to close down our mobile technology consultancy, and I just started a new position in a film studio in LA. I'm the new Director of Technology at Method Studios, and that in itself is keeping me pretty busy.

I'll send you an update when I can, but something every interesting happened with my sketchbook recently. Actually it all started at the beginning of the summer. I was sitting on a bench in Chinatown, sketching and drawing away, when I was approached by someone that was very interested in my sketchbook. I let him look into it, we talked for a little while and exchanged business cards.

Last week, that guy called me back, and told me he was working with a gallery in Chinatown to organise a sketchbook exhibition, and was I interested in showing some of my work. So I gave him my 3 most recent sketchbook for the show. I'll send more data as soon as I know when the show start, but we are planning for october in LA's Chinatown.

Rowland's book, ready to travel again.

2011-09-11T19:54:00.000-07:00

a quick note of the media:
diluted craft glue for the lace, red & a tad bit of brown acrylic for the heart.
pencil and watercolor-pencil for the fox.
some iridescent watercolor over the business card.

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.

Memories from an English Summer

2011-09-09T22:00:00.000-07:00

now I am back in California.

Working on... almost done with Rowland's book. I tried following this "stream of consciousness" trend just to see where it'll take me. I hit several dead ends before coming to this composition (or lack thereof). I've been in a collage-y mood lately. So I started out by pasting a couple items to the pages (and they are: a piece from a lace ribbon bought from a haberdashery in London, and a business card from a garden gift shop) hoping some inspiration will come soon after.
Well, ideas didn't come gushing but I ended up looking through my tourist photos and found this gigantic straw fox I saw from the bridge at Waterloo and decided to make a drawing of it.
I still need to give it some color (or colour?) and then the book will be ready to move on to o_O. (btw, I passed by a Japanese restaurant called "Ozu/小津" near Waterloo and thought of o_O for a second.)

EWian in Rowland's book

2011-07-01T01:18:00.000-07:00

Got a bit of reflection. Lots of play and mediums going in to this entry.

Mediums used: Pencil for sketching. Medallion pen for lining. Promarker for the face colour. Phebo gesso for the sock and hair base. Colouring and pastel pencil for the eyes and hair form Faber-Castell and Derwent. The pink and blue is a vinyl paint, it gives a beautiful matt finish. The yellow, orange and green is Galeria acrylic paint from Winsor&Newton. The hair tones are colouring pencils, pastels, charcoal, and a bit of acrylic paint. The red mouth is uni posca pen. The greens on the pullover is a mix of the vinyl paint and Galeria acrylic paint from Winsor&Newton on top.

If you have any suggestion on a song that is under the Creative Commons licence and that is between 6 and 10 minutes let me know and I'll put together a video of the illustration process. I know http://www.jamendo.com has a lot of songs but it take time to listen through, so if you have a suggestion it will be appreciated.

an angel come by...

2011-06-29T04:39:00.000-07:00

An angel came by.... to bring me a poem called brilliant years written on ... a wonderful shirt !!!
Here is a picture of the angel !

Here is a photo of me with the shirt on a Flickr Portrait party meeting. I will make also some more detailed pictures.
Thank you so much Niniji !!! I LOVE this !!! And the size is PERFECT !

barbara

Monster inspiration

2011-06-23T02:58:00.000-07:00

Bet you all were wondering were Emma's book disappeared to......I've been staring at it for ages! Happy to report that I am finally done. I adore Emma's monsters.....these are my Emma inspired critters. Had great fun doing them.

Jan, your book is next in line, but you'll have to be patient for a bit longer.

Brilliant Years

2011-06-13T23:52:00.000-07:00

I had a lot of fun working on Barbara's book; in fact, a little too much fun perhaps so that half of the work doesn't even belong physically on the notebook (nor in a video). Exactly what is it? It's a surprise for Barbara to find out. On my next trip to the post office either tomorrow or the day after, the two "parts" will head toward two different directions: the book is going to oO and the ___ is going to directly to Barbara. (I'll need to confirm with Barbara about her mailing address, Barbara can you check your flickr mail please?)

Anyhow, so with the notebook part...

this little sticker says 尋夢 which means chasing dreams.

I bought this postcard from IKEA years ago with pictures of all these different par avion/ airmail stickers.
Have you guys ever posted things and wonder if it ever reached the person to whom you meant to send?

"continuing toward the end of this heat haze
I wonder where my thoughts have gone
your footprints have disappeared
and you cannot be reached
again I want to see you…"
I have inserted into Barbara's little "Memories/Souvenirs" envelope a melancholy little song "Brilliant Years". The translation to the rest of this song is the part that's going to Barbara which she'll see first.
By the way, I LOVE this stamp from Barbara (can I use one and hold the other one as hostage?). But I have no idea who this person is on the caricature though.

Girl in a BearCat suit

2011-05-10T15:27:00.000-07:00

I just came back from the post office, and Jennifer's sketchbook is now on its way to Australia. With my little additions. These are not really inline with the "pretend" theme, with the exception of the girl in the bear/lion/tiger suit.

Hopefully there's enough blank space and textured paper to inspire others to multi-layer other details in.

I feel better not leaving a sketchbook behind as I take my own sketchbook to Paris for a week for a quick getaway, the excuse being that my grandmother is turning 103 (one hundred and three!!!) this weekend, and that seems like a good enough reason.

oO

BearCat

2011-05-05T20:35:00.000-07:00

Would anybody like to join them for a game of hide and seek in the shrubs?

I may paint one more picture in O's book before I pass it onto Jan. I hope you don't mind Oli, I'm having too much fun with your book. Does anybody call you Oli?

Work in progress: Olivier’s book

2011-05-02T00:47:00.000-07:00

Since Olivier's book has watercolour pages, I've decided to bring out my watercolours for his moly. It's been awhile since I've painted.

While flipping through his book for ideas, I kept coming back to the lady with the look alike bear ears. So Oli....I give you....a bear, some leaves and flowers, and a cat sticking out of this shrubbery madness!

I've started adding colours...will post more pictures when I'm finished.

Barbara's book

2011-04-28T17:01:00.000-07:00

Here are the entry for Barbara's book.

As mentioned yesterday, I had a lot of trouble finding the right motive. I ended up with a dragon inspired by the Norwegian stave church (Wikipedia) On it's back it has a girl. She is playing the flute. The clouds are super iridescent, do not show up in the photo though.

Progress so far in the book.

Medium used: pencil, permanent marker, velvet decorative tape, promarkers, gel pen, iridescent watercolours and acrylic paint.

Barbara's book - sketch

2011-04-27T13:48:00.000-07:00

I had a lot of trouble finding the right motive, Jennifer's cat is such a strong statement. I think I have tried out 8 or 9 different things before I found something that I though would work. This is my final sketch. I'll go make the actually entry now.

Luna Sea Octi

2011-04-25T01:27:00.000-07:00

Octi is all done. I shall miss him I think....but he's swimming off to Karena now:)

Work in progress: Niniji's book

2011-04-23T03:46:00.000-07:00

Hey all! I took out Niniji's book today and put on her Luna Sea soundtrack. Played it from start to finish...and sketched out my idea of a mysterious Luna Sea.

A smiling octopus, floating cherry blossoms, and very strange seaweed plants! Deciding how I'm going to tackle this image now with colours. I will post pictures when I'm done.

Happy Easter everyone!

Leaving for Australia

2011-04-21T12:19:00.001-07:00

OK. Here's EWian's sketchbook getting ready to leave for Australia. I ended up just adding various doodles, pretty much using the sketchbook as if it was my own. This one is going directly to Karena, I'm so happy that she's back in the loop.

Voila, I'll try to go to the post office during lunch.

oO

Finished & ready to pass on!

2011-04-18T03:34:00.000-07:00

Hi all! I'm sorry I'm so behind with finishing up Olivier's moleskine. On top of having a busy workload, I've been having trouble with my eyes for the last few months, so any chance I get to rest them rather than draw/paint/sit-at-the-computer, I've been taking.

I'm unsure who gets this next, so if someone could please contact me & let me know, that would be much appreciated. I also have my own moleskine that I have to send to someone. I'll get that done asap & send it to whoever is supposed to get it!

I hope I haven't caused too much inconvenience!!!

PS. I don't use Blogger & just had a devil of a time trying to get my pic the right size.

Work in Progress: Mathilda

2011-04-14T22:26:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd post a quick update. We had a beautiful day in Santa Monica today, so I sneaked out of the office early (well, let's just say I never came back from lunch) and sat in the sun all afternoon, reading and sketching on a number of sketchbooks, including Ewian's Waltzing Mathilda.

oO

book on the move

2011-04-11T12:51:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note that I mailed Niniji's book, reunited with her playlist to Australia last week. I forgot to take pictures, but I ended making a few little changes as well. I guess it'll be a surprise.

Right now, and unless we hear back from Karena (magic jelly) I'm passing her over and sending the books directly to Helena (little mo & friends). I'm still trying to decide if I should create a new sketchbook for myself and send it along or assume that Karena will eventually re-appear and send it along for the rest of its journey around the world.

oO

p.s. I've started working on Ewian and the other book in my possession, and will probably send both of them along shortly.

Things on my desk - Rowland's book

2011-03-27T02:32:00.000-07:00

I really like the 'stream of consciousness' feel from Rowland's book. I let the things that I keep on my desk for inspiration / distraction guide me.

And here are the things on my desk.

Jan's book leaving to Jennifer

2011-03-26T07:03:00.000-07:00

Jan's book is leaving to Jennifer.

Jan's drawings in the beginning of his book, with great looking people, and Emma's fairy tale drawings, inspired me for this drawing, but also another fairy tale book, and my wonderful grandmother who left me last week.
Grandmother, symbolising all who is dear to us, is gone but keeps watching all over everyone to make sure life is going all good for everybody :-) keeping the good memories alive.

"Ik ben niet echt dood, moet je weten
het is maar een lichaam dat ik achter liet
dood ben ik pas, als jij mij bent vergeten" ¨[Bram Vermeulen]

"I am not really dead, you know,
it's only a body I left behind.
Dead, I will be only, when you will have forgotten me"

Peter's Leeks (in Jennifer's book)

2011-03-21T11:59:00.000-07:00

I used this hexagonal tessellation pattern in the background because they remind me of daffodils.

Instead of calling this a time lapse video showing my work in progress, this video is actually the work itself. While the girl and the cat are fixed in one position permanently in the book, I have tucked the rest of the cut-outs I made for the animation into the back pocket of Jennifer's book. Anyone can take them out to play... (or use, if you want).

(the texts don't really appear in the book; they've been added on using photoshop.)
girl: I am a garlic.
cat: Aweeeei~

There is an old Chinese saying that when a daffodil doesn't bloom (水仙不開花) it is pretending to be a garlic (裝蒜).

p.s. a tour guide once told me that the Welsh term for daffodil is Cenhinen Bedr (Peter's leek), hence the title to this entry. (hats off to Rowland~)

Days of Repetition

2011-03-15T18:10:00.000-07:00

my work in progress in Jennifer's book of "pretend"...

how it is going to tie-in with the theme and how it is going to finally look like is still a big secret ;-)

p.s.:
to me...

Japan is like an older sister to Taiwan(my home country),
people say we look alike sometimes.
She use to be bossy and annoying when we were young
but we are in good terms with each other now that we're all grown up.
When she is in pain,
I feel her pain too... almost as if it were my own.

May those whose lives have been severely affected by the quake and tsunami soon return to normal.

Moly_x_3 Jennifer's book

2011-03-08T17:15:00.000-08:00

Well I have misplaced the SD-card so no video yet. Jennifer's book is in the hand of to the next in line, niniji. I love collaborative projects, they are so much fun!

next!

2011-03-02T21:24:00.001-08:00

Once a jolly swagman sat beside the billabong (Huntington Beach, California),

and I got Jen's book from EWian today ♪♫ :-)

Emma's book ready to leave

2011-02-27T13:53:00.000-08:00

So............. here's Emma's book ready to leave to Jennifer.......... As I wrote in the previous post I chose to continue Emma's theme with monstery fish and water and gold............. :-)
Hope you like it :-)
Barbara

Emma's book

2011-02-27T07:52:00.001-08:00

Emma's book is progressing... I chose to continue Emma's watery start with fish and monsters, water and gold (it's real gold leaf :-D)
Here's a picture already...
When it's finished I send it immediately to Jennifer before starting the work in Jan's book.
Jennifer are you up to date? :-)
Best regards from Brussels to everybody.

You'll come a-waltzing Moly with me?

2011-02-17T23:24:00.000-08:00

continuing with EWian's "Waltzing Matilda" story. I personalized the theme into a story about my own experience with life "on the go".
In truth, I am not as free-spirited as I wish to be. Moving to a new place (sometimes moving to a different country) usually brings on more stress than excitement to me, and for some reason it always feels like I am more affected than anybody else who'd share a similar experience; I sometimes wonder why is it so.
This drawing is about the plants I tend to keep if I lived at a place long enough. When I move, they are one of the more troublesome things to decide what to do with since it's quite sad to just leave them to wither in their place (but no... they don't go very well into suitcases and boxes). In a way, I have invisible roots too. It always hurts a little to lift...

p.s.: but come to think of it, I don't think I had ever planted cosmos before...
I have had lavender, mint, basil, sunflowers, several species of succulents... but never cosmos. (bah-dum tssssssss...)

One more thing...

2011-02-17T21:02:00.000-08:00

Which I forgot to tell you the other day....but will you? Will you?

I've left a mixed lot inside as a surprise for all of you. I hope the boys will find a 'boyish' enough looking sticker! :D

Hello from windy Perth!

2011-02-15T14:40:00.000-08:00

Hello I'm Helena from Little Mo and Friends. I live in Perth, Western Australia. Perthians are always 2-3 hours behind our friends at the East Coast...so I'm like the girl who always turns up late at a party. Which probably explains why I've only just found out that the moleskin exchange is back on! And where else would everyone be gathering at? Here on this lovely moly blog..which I've just stumbled upon!

A year ago, (or was it longer?) Emma asked if I would like to join in the moly exchange, I said yes...but somehow the project didn't take off. I think I was getting hitched at that time!

Now that the moly exchange is reborn, here are some of my illos for my moly book. They are only small ones on random pages of my book. I hope you enjoy!

My book is on its way to Jan now, and I'm looking forward to having it filled with lots of drawings from you talented lot!

Jennifer's girl - sketch

2011-02-11T13:33:00.000-08:00

Here are the sketch work for Jennifer's book. I have started working in the book but there is still some work to be done. I can send it on it's way to niniji Monday.

EWian

Books on the move . . . . .

2011-02-04T10:19:00.000-08:00

Well, I've sent the two books on to Barbara. . . for those of you who want to see what goes on in the Jones brain, I have attached some pics - - that shoe obsession again . . . For those of you who would like to retain an element of surprise . . . . well, just pretend you didn't see this...... :-)

Waltzing Matilda - video

2011-01-27T19:05:00.000-08:00

Here is the video to go along with the "Waltzing matilda".

I am so exited to see how the book evolves and what it will bring along on it's journey. To see how the rest of the book will develop and how people and the art will interact on the pages.

I change the paper in the book to watercolour paper. I think it can handle a bit more beating and I like the feel of the texture.

Medium used: permanent marker, watersoluble wax pastel, watercolour, pencil, eraser, acrylic paint, paper, embossing fluid, mica laced pigment , watercolour pencil and glue.

Waltzing Matilda

2011-01-20T15:01:00.000-08:00

You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me?

Medium used: permanent marker, watersoluble wax pastel, watercolour, pencil, eraser, acrylic paint, paper, embossing fluid, mica laced pigment , watercolour pencil and glue.

So looking forward to see how the rest of the book will develop and how people and the art will interact on the pages.

For those of you how don't know the words to Waltzing Matilda here they are:

Once a jolly swagman sat beside the billabong,
Under the shade of a coolibah tree,
And he sang as he sat and waited by the billabong
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me

Waltzing matilda, waltzing matilda
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me
And he sang as he sat and waited by the billabong
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me.

Down came a jumbuck to drink beside the billabong
Up jumped the swagman and seized him with glee
And he sang as he tucked jumbuck in his tuckerbag
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me

Waltzing matilda, waltzing matilda
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me
And he sang as he sat and waited by the billabong
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me.

Down came the stockman, riding on his thoroughbred,
Down came the troopers, one, two, three.
"Where's the jolly jumbuck you've got in your tuckerbag?
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me

Waltzing matilda, waltzing matilda
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me
And he sang as he sat and waited by the billabong
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me.

Up jumped the swagman and plunged into the billabong,
"You'll never catch me alive," cried he
And his ghost may be heard as you ride beside the billabong,
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me.

Text:A.B. (Banjo) Paterson

So if I got this right, explanation of Australian slang used in the song:
Billabong = A waterhole
Billy = A can or small kettle used to boil water for tea
Coolabah tree = A type of native tree in Australia
Jumbuck = A sheep
Swagman = Someone who lives on the open road, a hobo. The term came from the canvas bag that they would carry their bedroll and/or belongings in
Trooper = In Australia's early days, there was no police force. The colony was protected by and policed by soldiers.
Tucker bag = A knapsack or bag for storing food in the bush.

Sketch waltzing mathilda

2011-01-18T15:48:00.000-08:00

Here is the sketch, finished picture will come soon.

The theme I have chosen for my book is "waltzing mathilda". This is one of the first thing I learned about Australia. My father is one of those musically people who is always whistling a tune. "Waltzing mathilda" was one of those that was repeated. Sweet childhood memories. As a child I always thought "waltzing mathilda" was about about exploring the world together. You'll come a waltzing matilda with me? So the motive is a girl starting her journey, wondering what she'll see and who she can bring along for this walkabout. I am so exited to see how the book evolves and what it will bring along on it's journey.

I change the paper in the book to watercolour paper. I think it can handle a bit more beating and I like the feel of the texture. However this process of chaining the paper made me realise I need a scoring board... it didn't turn out strait at all. But as long as it fit in side the book, I am happy. There is a first time to everything right? The book is done and on it's way to the next in line, niniji. Well that's it for now, I'll post pictures of the finished book tomorrow. (The back need rest now.)

--
In other news: Sorry, for lack of posting earlier, an acute back pain has for the last month and is still keeping me from typing much on the computer. In addition to have to write some blog post I have about 300 email to sort through so I'll get back to you soon. However physiotherapy and acupuncture is helping to move things back to normal.

Template proposal

2011-01-11T14:49:00.000-08:00

As oO asked about, how about a template to track where Molys are, who with, or in mail to?

Following a template Moly friend Melissa Woodland recommended, I have an Excel template, screen print pictured here, for what it'd look like.

The question is, if you all like it, who should maintain it? Ideally this should be someone in the group, and a single person that can wrangle the updates and maybe weekly post a new jpg of the group status to help keep things flowing.

I understand Jan has been in other groups with similar tracking. Did this process help?

If you like this idea let me know and I can send you the XL file. Meantime I'll try to read through the posts to see where books are currently, or if you want, reply with what you have or have mailed recently on this thread and I'll post an updated template to get it started.

Cheers,

e

[oO]: This is what the google spreadsheet looks like so far. Send me your email and I'll add you as an editor (we can all use our blogger accounts for that) and you can mark send/received or whatever status of the books you have.

Niniji's mermaid

2011-01-11T12:29:00.000-08:00

Finished working on the mermaid in Niniji's book. I still don't like how the paper gets these weird marks in places when it gets too wet from watercolors, but nothing that a few splatters and splashes can't hide.

I'll be sending this one on to Australia in the next few days. I should probably make sure it's in a waterproof bag first. Hope all of our Aussies have been staying as dry as they can. I just heard from some of my friends near Brisbane, I guess it's been really scary in places.

late introduction

2011-01-10T12:14:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone in Moly x 3,

I hadn't had the chance to properly introduce myself, though you might've noticed my frequent comments and wondered who the lurker is.

I'm ian christy aka emon xie, a video game designer in soggy Vancouver, BC, Canada. I've collaborated in several groovy Moly groups, and am now helping Marty to advise, answer, and encourage as the groups get a reboot and evolve into what wondrous projects they'll assuredly be.

You all are already off to an amazing start, part as well as to why I've not posted a proper introduction, the whole don't fix what isn't broken sort of thing.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have questions or could use some follow up help with anyone that seems to have gone missing.

Cheers!
e

my flickr link

Fierce in my mind..........

2011-01-09T05:37:00.001-08:00

So I was wondering what this little black cat in Barbara's book was thinking about........maybe he sees himself as a bigger cat.....fierce.
Or maybe he's just has fish on his mind.

Hope you like it Barbara.
EWian - I just mailed my book out to you this past week. Want me to hold on the this one for a bit?

Jenn

How do you guys like this chaos for our new look?

2010-12-31T18:28:00.000-08:00

How about this for a new banner?

I have taken: Rowland's cat and coffee, Barbara's calligraphy, Jenn's lion, my daruma, oO's girl, Jan's family ghosts, and Emma's monsters. I can still add other people's works into the mix of chaos later when their books make their debut here, or we can use this banner as our banner now. But most importantly, do you guys like this idea?

Pretend

2010-12-31T06:16:00.000-08:00

Here is the "cover" of my book. The theme is "Pretend". Lately I have been enjoying the idea of animal dreams - not dreams about animals, but what animals dream. Would they ever pretend that they are something that they're not?

And here is my entry into my book. I don't want anyone to feel that they have to draw animals in my book. I don't want to be too prescriptive. Just have fun......pretend.

Will be on it's way to Ewian next week.

Safe and Happy New Year!

Jenn

Rowlands book

2010-12-26T03:15:00.000-08:00

I think I'm quite ready with Rowlands book... I put some sweets for new year, a good luck doll for the new year and some glowing real gold leaves.... :-)
Rowland stuck a great folding open paper to paint (it said "paint me"), so as it was sticking half on the third page I painted half of it, leaving the other parts for the next coming artists... I also glued a little envelope of hand made Kahdi-paper with some new year's wishes in it. Feel free to complete my list !! I left plenty of room on the paper in the envelope !!! :-))
Rowland put a note for you all in his book. I have put it in the inner pocket. Maybe I put something extra in the inner pocket as well...
Barbara

Merry X-mas to everybody!

2010-12-25T07:25:00.000-08:00

Merry x-mas to all Moly's.
I'm working on Rowlands book this x-mas day... making it a bit glowing... with real gold leaves :-)

Jennifer, I should send this to you afterwards... but if you're not ready yet with mine I can send it to the next person instead? What do you think? Do you have time to do 2 Moly's?

Barbara

merry x_mas moly_x_3

2010-12-24T13:00:00.000-08:00

I wish for peace
not because it's something nice to have
but because we really need it :)

Working on Niniji's Book

2010-12-18T14:37:00.000-08:00

It's been raining for the last couple of days in LA, which normally would be an extraordinary event, but we've been participating in a new reality show called "Weather Swap" and it seems that this season we've swapped with Seattle. Regardless, the rain is the perfect excuse to stay home and work on Niniji's Songlines/Luna Sea sketchbook a bit.

I found the little section that talks about Bruce Chatwin's trip to Australia with a pile of the last little black notebooks.

I also added another Daruma to her little collection. I think that stamp is a souvenir I bought at Tokyu Hands on my last trip to Japan. I didn't black out one of its eyes, so it's ready to receive a wish from anyone.

Lastly, I've decided that a mermaid would be in keeping with the Luna/Sea theme, I've only penciled her in, so still very much work in progress, I'll re-post something later when she's closer to completion. I'll probably leave the sea and sky unfinished to let someone add more sea creatures to that mix, since I'm spreading out on more than my 2-3 pages allotment. but I'm hoping that we'll keep drawing around/over/into each other's sketches.

That banner I am just not getting to...

2010-12-15T20:34:00.000-08:00

If anyone if feeling inspired and feels like making a new banner, please do.
I have been wanting to change it for two weeks so we have everyone represented... or something like that. Otherwise we can just leave it. I guess everyone is pretty swamped like me.

(I would love for it to be changed though)

Now it is really leaving... :-D

2010-12-12T08:31:00.000-08:00

Now my Moly is REALLY leaving to Jennifer!!! What an adventure!!!
I added a nice cat I saw on Flickr today at Cecilia's page ... and paper... I cannot stop !!!!
I put little envelopes in it (the little envelopes are Indian hand made paper from Kahdi) and in the pocket also and several sorts of hand made japanese papers (I love paper!). Feel free to use them ! Put things in it... paint on it... make a collage...
Have fun !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Barbara

omake...

2010-12-11T16:09:00.000-08:00

I forgot to mention...
I printed these business(haha?) cards for my Flickr, they are hitching a ride with my book. Please take one and pass it around :)

also want to share this music video with you, not much for the song, but for the video itself. starting from around 1:30, there is a wickedly cool visual presentation of the lyrics where half-characters reassemble on screen for a brief moment as the camera angle changes so the words appear before falling apart again. this is also where I took inspirations for the text pages from my book. hope you guys will enjoy it.

Goodbye Sketchbook, Hello Sketchbook

2010-12-10T11:23:00.000-08:00

My sketchbook is in a padded envelope and ready to leave for its little trip around the world, starting with Adelaide, Australia as its first stop. I'm both excited that other people will get to add to it along the way, but a bit sad that I'm not going to see it again for many months...

I also just finished compiling a little inspirational playlist to go along with it. In no particular order, apart from their filename:

alberto fortis - il duomo di notte
anna f. - most of all (karl moestl remix)
charles webster - sweet butterfly
coeur de pirate - comme des enfants (le matos remix)
deadmau5 - i remember
flight facilities - crave you
friendly fires - paris (aeroplane remix)
jean leloup - je joue de la guitare
mala rodriguez - lo facil cae ligero
mansions on the moon - she makes me feel
max leonidas - sta sera
nubla - malquerida
saint privat - somebody to love (uko remix)
the knife - silent shout
trentemoller moan (ft. ane trolle)
william fitzsimmons - so this is goodbye (pink ganter remix)

On another note, I took posession of 二月niji's Sketchbook, so I'll start working on that now.

The Welshman posts . . .

2010-12-08T08:25:00.000-08:00

I was asked if I'd post what I'd done in my notebook: but to be honest I'm not sure about the idea. Doesn't it take away the sense of surprise when it arrives? What do other people think?

Anyway I was quite surprised as to how nervous I felt about doing it: being a late starter in the world of sketching, drawing etc.., I panicked and didn't know where to start. So I put the appointed Moleskine down on the board, next to my current Moleskine, and carried on with what I would normally do and then every now and then swopped books and did something different. So what is there, is typical of my normal notebooks . . . no special theme, no big deal; just what I do . . . . that's me . . 'Lo scarabochiatore . . . the scribbler'

songlines

2010-12-07T11:22:00.000-08:00

continued from my last post

my entire weekend was split between my favorite band's concert and moly_x_3. crazy huh? now my book is on its way to oO, and you, and you, and you...

This is the first entry in my themeless left-handed moleskine. Instead of having each of us drawing in a continuous 2.5-page-per-person fashion, I'd really like us to have more fun with the spaces. I left graffiti marks throughout the pages and can't wait to see the things you all do to it. You can continue in order from right to left, or skip around to any area you like. (anyhow, please don't let these get in your way...)

今キミは何処から (Now, where did you just come from?)
夢を見つけるため (Here to see a dream?)
欲望に酔うため (Or to become intoxicated by desire?)
ねえ聞かせてよ (Nē (hey), please tell me.)
I want to convey this love with you
Until the color of the universe is true

these are the phrases I left all over my book. they are taken from the lyrics of a song.

(please don't forget to sign in on the first page with your name & country)

Moly_x_3 what now?

2010-12-06T10:29:00.000-08:00

Hi! I got my book, yeah, and I am ready to start. But I was wondering what should be the theme of the book? Maybe something inspired by Australia as this Moly_x_3 started out there? Any suggestions? Ideas? Would love some input.

EWian

Ready to go, part II

2010-12-02T19:03:00.000-08:00

Ok. Now it's ready to go, (for real this time). I was going to add a few more things, but my wife reminded me that other people are supposed to be able to draw in that sketchbook, so I couldn't fill it all by myself... :-)

So, I'll be sending this to Miss Karena for her to add her Magic Jelly touch!

I also found some old Australian post stamps, so I'm sticking them in the back pocket. Feel free to use them, I can't really do anything with them from here.

2010-12-02T11:20:00.001-08:00

My Moly is ready to leave, wondering where to go. "Wondering", that's a nice theme! Who wants it? I shall contact the next person in the list to know where to post it to?

Barbara

Get ready, set, go...

2010-11-30T14:14:00.000-08:00

Here's a quick photo of the reloaded Moleskine Watercolor Japanese Album.

I'll post something about the reloading process later, but in the meantime, I've started priming my sketchbook before sending it on it's way. Instead of a theme, I'm just planning to add a little usb key with a small inspirational playlist to the back pocket.

Left side is the guard page so it's the original mole-paper, and starting on the right is the beginning of the accordion fold, with the new paper, ready to be misused in any way for your creative pleasure...

Who is JK anyway?!

2010-11-30T03:13:00.000-08:00

Hello fellow moly_x_3er's!
I'm originally from Detroit, Michigan US currently living in Wiesbaden, Germany. I'm a car designer by day and a watercolorist / doodler by night.
The critters that I draw are a much needed contrast to cars. I try to post as much as I can to flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/23205417@N03/ - good or bad.
Look forward to creating with each and every one of you.
Jenn

2010-11-28T08:50:00.001-08:00

HellOOooo from Brussels! I am trying to figure out how this blogging works to try to present myself... :-/
I am Barbara and I live in Brussels, where I work as an architect, and I started studying again in Antwerp as well: conservation and restauration of wall paintings. But I can still make time to sketch and paint and have fun with Moleskines, so I am looking forward to start this Moly !!! So how does it work actually? I have already to send one myself to someone? To whom first? Is there an order to follow so one wouldn't get 10 Moly's at the same time?
Looking forward to contribute :-)
Here's my Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/barbara_luel/
And here's my web site (but there's not so much on it... ) www.barbaraluel.eu

When you post your Moly's, please take care to mention my full name: Barbara Luel Pecheur, Rue des Merisiers 55, B-1170 Brussels ! I wouldn't want them to get lost!

My Moly is ready to leave! Who wants it? Then I would need an address to post it to :-)

Barbara

Hello from Italy . . . a very wet Italy

2010-11-28T02:43:00.000-08:00

Glad to be a part of this group, and looking forward to . . . . .well, actually doing something :-) I have waited over two years on 1001 journals and received nothing. This already seems more buzzy!! So a few questions, how do we trace where the Moleskine is, and how many pages do we do? how long do we have to do this?

Anyway a quick introduction: I started keeping a journal in 2003: first of all as a pocket-sized counsellor, but gradually it evolved into what it is today-an illustrated glimpse of my life. Everything on my blog comes from the journals. (except may be the odd you tube nonsense....) The name of the blog www.reallyaccessiblememory.com comes from what is says: a journal never crashes, never needs recharging and you can keep it to hand in your pocket: even if that doesn't sound like too much of a contradiction.

My work has been featured in Zuiderlucht a Maastricht-based arts paper for the last two years, and www.matchboox.com an Amsterdam publisher of miniature handmade books has published a book based on my journals. Zuiderlucht are currently previewing 'My Imaginary Lives' described by the editor as a 'graphic novel for the 21st century'! Phew!!

I am a musician and you can hear my 'contaminated blues at http://rowlandjones.bandcamp.com/ Hope you like it!

Enough for now: look forward to collaborating with you all in Cyberspace . . .

About: oO

2010-11-23T19:55:00.000-08:00

Hello, My Name is ...Olivier Ozoux

I just joined the group, and I thought I should introduce myself, so there it is. My usual introduction/bio goes something like this:

Working in the Film Visual Effects, Animation and Game industries since 1989, I'm left handed and currently live and work in Los Angeles with my wife and our two robot dogs. I'm also the Director of Technology at Meemle, a company specializing in mobile applications for iPhone, Android and BlackBerry.

When I'm not working, I carry around a black sketchbook with rounded corners, an elastic closure and a handy inner pocket. You can see some of my work on Flickr.

Although I have to admit that I like watercolors and I really can't stand landscape format sketchbooks (why is it that every single sketchbook manufacturer is obsessed with the idea that all watercolorists want to do is paint landscapes?!?), so I have a bit of a love/hate relationships with Moleskines.

Their watercolor sketchbook has very nice paper but is in the wrong format, and I find that all their other sketchbook have paper that don't really agree with watercolors, or any kind of wet, messy media.

So the first thing I did when I received my Moleskine Japanese Pocket Sketchbook is to rip it apart and rebuilt it with watercolor paper (Papier D'Arches, cold pressed, 180gsm) but if you miss the old paper, feel free to "multi-media" some in place when you get my sketchbook...

This being said I'm really excited to join this group, and I'm starting to prime my little sketchbook before sending it on it's way.

(a tiny step forward) niniji's work in progress.

2010-11-23T18:12:00.000-08:00

that's right! I am starting from the right end of my notebook to make this a lefty Moleskine. (even though I am not left-handed.) This is going to be the body of my main piece called "Wish". I still need to figure out what to use for color (not sure what looks good on this type of paper yet). Meanwhile, I am also wishing for a lot of fun interactions to happen in my book so I will spend the next couple weeks trying my best to set a stage for it (but whatever you do, please do not fill in those empty Daruma eyes for me ^^).
the story about Daruma's eyes.

Nevermind my Asian-ness(LOL~). My book does not have a theme.
It is going to be a themeless, left-handed Moleskine. Yey...

I am declaring us DEAD... and reborn.

2010-11-02T16:27:00.000-07:00

On this day of November, I am declaring this moleskine exchange once again morte! (that is dead in French, if you didn't know). But, there is a good side. I am still in, as is Jan, but we want people to put up their hands if they are truly still in, and we would love some new people to get this exchange again off the ground. Considering we inherited this exchange number from an already dead group, I won't let us be jinxed. Rise above people and make this one of the greatest exchanges yet!

(Don't be put off if you are from somewhere other than Australia, that is all fine).

Ah ha! You thought we were sleeping...

2009-12-20T20:34:00.001-08:00

As I have had a little bit of time over the last few days, I finally jumped in and continued Jan's Moly. I know you all wanted to wait until 2010... but it is close!

Jan's book started

2009-08-29T19:37:00.000-07:00

Here is my sign-in page. Can you please cross out a title and add your name!
And here is my start to the book. It spreads over 4 and a bit pages. I really hope Emma will spread onto my pages and likewise with the rest of the entries. I'd love them to entwine and intermingle. No theme for this book. What ever takes your fancy at the time. This one's titled 'Family Ghosts.'
I'll mail it to you on Monday, Emma. Unless you want to wait?

Hi. My name's Jan and I'm an artoholic.

2009-07-29T18:07:00.000-07:00

I like Penny's idea of posting an intro. Well, I did. Right up until I had to decide what to write about myself.

I do so many things I'm not sure where to start. I call myself an artist and if asked I say I'm a painter. I also do printmaking and make books, both blank and artist books. I like to keep journals and sketchbooks too. I have a part time day job at a primary school where I assist Kinder to Year 2 in the computer lab (eg. we teach touch typing from Year 1 on), do graphic design for the schools special publications and teach the teachers about Web 2.0 technologies. Currently I'm training them to use Photoshop Elements. The hardest part of this intro comes now when I have to decide what images to add that represent my creative out put!!! Here goes...

That last shot is of one of my journals I made in progress when I was in Italy a couple of years ago.

You can find me here:
Blog: ...in my spare time
Etsy shop: The Little Shop of Horus
Website: www.janallsopp.com.au

about: penny

2009-07-29T17:43:00.000-07:00

Hi! (If no one likes this idea I will delete this). I'm Penny and I draw cute stuff! I also sew a bit too. I was trying to think if I could incorporate sewing into a Moleskine... I am not sure. Hrrm. We'll see.

I like to draw bunnies & cute little things (I think this is rather glaringly obvious!), and usually when I draw it's with pen or india ink, and a bit of watercolour. I have been trying pencils a bit lately too.

What do I want from the Moleskine swap?
Anything! I am a bit nervous because the ones Emma has done before look SO good! But seriously, anything. I will love whatever you all draw! (Unless it is a picture of John Howard or some such.)

You can find me:
Blog - pocketcarnival.blogspot.com
Etsy - pocketcarnival.etsy.com
Website - pocketcarnival.com.au

Let's get this started! Work in progress.

2009-07-27T17:38:00.000-07:00

I started this the other night and felt the need to keep going last night despite being very tired. I know it is not done, but I thought I might share it with you. I am a little concerned for when I go away for 6 weeks from mid September to the end of October, but I guess you can all hold off sending to me in that time.

Getting Ready?

2009-07-19T05:07:00.000-07:00

I dug up an old photo I took when I first started the moleskine exchanges (ahh, my nice desk in France!) to see how you are all going getting your moleskines? Ready? Anyone got a theme? No theme? Do I chose the mailing order? Please comment if you have any preferences.

What's up?

2009-07-11T17:00:00.000-07:00

What a brilliant group!

2009-07-09T12:11:00.000-07:00

Kind of a nice cozy winter thing to do, don' you think? moly_xing?

80°F and sunny here in Minneapolis today. Ha!