Variations on a Theme and Ho Ho Ho

Registration for The Little Black Book Project closed on November 30th.  We have 142 participants in this year's project taking on 40 different themes!  But even if we had a single theme and 142 interpretations not one book would look like another and that is what makes the project so fantastic.
I'll let you in on a secret.  My theme is 'Do you remember.....'  and given the time of year it is I started thinking about Christmas past. As soon as any of our days slip into yesterday they become steeped in nostalgia;  a lovely sepia tinted brew that softens the focus and smooths out the rough edges.  It seems especially true of Christmas.  What I remember about my childhood Christmases is easily summed up.  I believed.  I believed in magic and that Santa Claus was real, that his elves were watching and that anything was possible.  Why is it that what was so simple a thing to do then has become so complicated now?  Back then I didn't think 'how do I believe?'.  I just did.  But now?  Well now I need a five year old to teach me how.
It seems I'm not alone.  Somehow the question 'what do you want for Christmas?' has become enough to trigger an existential crisis.  Ask any child what they want for Christmas and they're bound to give you a laundry list of toys and games and next to impossible dreams.  But ask most adults what they want and they will tell you that they don't know, that they have everything they need.  If this is true shouldn't Christmas be less complicated instead of more so?  If we have everything we need, why are we still wanting? 
In all of those corny Christmas classics that we watch every year there are nuggets of truth.  They allow us to go back, to remember what it was that made us believe.  Believing makes it real, whatever 'it' is. 
To quote a line from "How the Grinch Stole Christmas". 
"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store....maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more."
On that note I wish you all the happiest of holidays and hope that all of your impossible dreams come true.  

Let me collect my thoughts...

So I tried to start my black book this week and I have to admit failed miserably.  I know I've got lots of time.  Lots!  But still I was so excited to get started that it really pissed me off that my creative energy picked now to go A.W.O.L. .  I have a theme; I have an idea but I have no spark and anyone who does anything knows that unless you have spark you have nothing.  On the plus side creativity is fickle and just as easily as it deserted me this weekend it can and probably will reappear tomorrow or next week demanding attention.  I have learned to take these comings and goings in stride and though it does irritate the hell out of me it is not the end of the world. In these times of high anxiety I rely on the words of the immortal Snoop Dogg to get me through.
"Be cool little mama."  
I recommend you do the same.  Take your time.  Enjoy the ride.  It's all good.

The last time I checked..

Here we go again!! The Little Black Book Project or BB for short is hitting the ground running. We've already sold more than 50 books!  In keeping with last year's approach to the blog the title of each post is also one of the themes so cleverly hidden in the back of the books.  All of the themes are new this year in case you were wondering. 
Remember the theme is just a spark, you aren't married to it.  Just do your thing, let it grow, morph, evolve.  The idea is to have fun people.  No stress allowed. 

We have a winner for the early bird draw.  Congratulations to Erika F.  who won $25.00 worth of Art Store goodies!!

Stay tuned for more news on BB.  Same bat time, same bat channel.  Until then, adios!

Reception

Caitlin Mullan, one of our black bookers, took some lovely pictures of the closing reception for last year's project.  It was a good time fo' sho'.  Take a look.

The Little Black Book Project II .....It has begun!

Did you do a book last year?  I mean actually do it.  Then you deserve a break.  Come down to the Art Store and sign up for this year's project now ( a full two weeks before the masses) and be entered to win a gift certificate -  to the Art Store of course!

If you didn't get a book done last year, don't worry, open registration begins November 1st.  There are 40 new themes tucked into the back of these small obsidian tomes this year.  As always the themes are a secret but here's a hint, if you follow the blog, you'll notice that after November 1st, each post is based on one of the themes.  (Because everyone knows I can't keep a secret.)

Stay tuned  for updates, prizes and black book news.  Until next time, happy alterations!

Found in a Little Black Book

Here are a few pics of some the books from the LBB Project 2011.  Registration for those who took part in last year's project begins October 15th.  The official launch date for The Little Black Book Project II is November 1st.  As always there are incentives and door prizes along the way.  Sign up early for a chance to win a $25.00 Gift Certificate to the Art Store at the University of Regina.  (must be a current student, faculty or staff member to participate)

Are you ready??!!

The Little Black Book Project 2 is coming soon!  Watch for updates and big news in October! 

This is it!!

 It's finally here!  We are at the end of the Little Black Book Project 2011.  Many of the participants in the project have expressed how attached they became to their books and how much of themselves and their private thoughts ended up working their way into the drawings and collages and writing that appeared in the pages of each of the books.  Were you surprised by something that revealed itself in the creation of your book?  I'd love to hear about it.  Send me an email if you like at, thelittleblackbookproject@gmail.com ,  or comment on the blog.  All submissions are strictly confidential.
On to the reception!!
March 24th, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. U of R, Riddell Centre, Crush Area.
Bidding opens at 5:30 p.m.
Each table of books will have a staggered close time.  Bids close on the first table at 7:15 p.m..  All bids close at 7:30 p.m.  Winners will be announced at 7:45 p.m.

A big thank you to all those who contributed a book to the project!  Without you there wouldn't be a show.
Stay tuned for announcements about next years project.

My Little Black Book

Here's what one of our black bookers had to say about her book.

My Little Black Book

This project began with a generous dose of procrastination, but eventually I began working on it during a roadtrip to Winnipeg. When I was sketching on the road we drove through a whiteout blizzard, for several hours. The blank pages didn’t seem quite so intimidating when drawing an entirely white landscape. Most of the drawings I made during this experience were covered up by other pieces of paper, but that is where it began.

As the book evolved, I started to think about it as a story with no beginning, no middle, and no end. I wanted every page to be spectacular just in case that was the first page a viewer opened to. And I also wanted to be huge. I had a picture in my head of a book so thick with paper and glue that the pages would be flayed when open or closed.

The secret theme that was tucked into the back of my little black book didn’t make sense the day I got it; The small slip of paper read “I Hate it When They Leave”.  As it turned out, the hardest part of this project was accepting that the better I made it, the less I might want to give it away. Fortunately, making this one book and giving it away was well worth the opportunity to see the other 119 books that were given out over two months ago. 

a blank book and a secret

The concept was simple.  Start with a blank book and a secret theme.  Then give people two months to re-invent the book based on that theme.  The idea was inspired by the Sketchbook Project out of Brooklyn.  It is similar in that participants fill their sketchbook based on a theme but that's where the similarities end.  The twist to the Little Black Book Project is that the completed books will be part of a display and silent auction where visitors can look through the books and bid on their favourite.  The project was open to all students, faculty and staff on campus.  The books have been written in, filled with drawings and photos, torn apart and recreated.  Funds raised from the auction will come back to the Fine Arts Department to benefit students and future projects.  The reception and silent auction will be held March 24 from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. in the Crush area of Riddell Centre at the U of R. 
For a preview check out the big display window outside the Shu-Box Theatre in Riddell Centre.  For more information on The Little Black Book Project visit the Art Store in Visual Arts, RC 022. 

go for broke

It's almost time.  Are you going to make it?  Rip pages out if you have to or glue them together. Do whatever you need to do to  finish your book. When all the books are on display and you're looking at everyone else's you will feel so happy to be part of it all.  But if you don't finish....well I think you know the rest.  Remember we have some amazing prizes to give out at the end of the project.  Not the least of which is the opportunity to showcase your work in the President's Office.  I know you can do it.  Finish your book!

late fees

Woot, I got an email from someone who is reading this blog!  And it wasn't Ashley!  I get the feeling that some of you are worried about finishing.  You can do it!!!  And I'll tell you why in two words.  Free Prizes!!  Every person who submits their book by February 28th gets a FREE 'little black book project 2011' T-shirt.  These are only available to people who submit their book.  Signing up isn't enough.  This is my way of saying Thank You for all your hard work.  In addition to that we have an Early Bird Prize Package worth $150.00.  All you have to do is submit your book by February 17th to get your name in the draw.  This is a great prize!! And since nobody has submitted a book yet the chances of winning are pretty damn good!! But it gets better.

You could be the lucky Visual Arts student to win the chance to have your artwork featured in the President's Office at the U of R.  This is an amazing opportunity to get your name out there!


There's more but you have to hand in a book to find out what it is.  Until then I'm sworn to secrecy. 


 

chemical stimulus

Okay all you black bookers. (And by that I mean Ashley because I'm pretty sure she's the only one checking this blog. )  It's time to get serious about finishing your books.  February is fast approaching and before you know it the books will be on display for the campus to see.  To help get you going again come and hang out at The Black Book Coffee Lounge February 8th to 10th and 15th to 17th from 9:00 to 3:00 outside the Art Store.  Bring your coffee or lunch anytime during the day and work on your book.  Miscellaneous art supplies and treats will be provided. 
The books are starting to come back and they look amazing!!! I can't wait to see what  the rest look like.  See you soon.!

...and it's a burden

I have a small confession.  I haven't started my book yet.   If your plans to work on  "the book" over the holiday kind of fell apart, I'm here to tell you that you're not alone. 
Semester opening is about to erupt and I doubt very much that I'll have time for the next three weeks or so to fill so much as a page.  Good thing I work well under pressure.   Besides, having a deadline looming will help the winter to go that much faster. (See how a little rationalization can go a long way?) 
I've talked to a few people who's books are well under way and I am anticipating an awesome array of alteration when the books come back at the end of February.  
Keep going.  It's going to be awesome!