A few weeks ago I watched a video by an illustrator. It was a talk on her work practices. She bordered of being OCD but her approach was something I feel I'd like to adopt. It centred around systematically and routinely creating according to rules and commitment. Sounds really boring and not at all artistic but the results were often very beautiful and led on to unexpected discoveries.It made me think of the last time I approached something in this way, unrelated to creating a book. Last year I took part in the Sketchbook Project. Despite having other work that needed to be done I somehow fitting in creating a pop-up book by hand. I had no plan for it before I started, just a set of rules. It was a diary, and by the time it was finished I was very happy with the results. It's now archived in the New York library and I'm hoping that one of my kids will go and look it up sometime. On Tuesday this week I met an old friend who is now working in a local gallery and she said she'd printed off some examples from it for use in gallery education for kids. I don't know how it worked but I was thrilled that it had been used in this context.So it's Sketchbook Project time again! The book has been sitting on my desk for quite a while so I've decided to impose some rules;1/ Deadline in 8 weeks. 10th Sept.2/ At least 2 pieces a week, sometimes 3.3/ 18 double page spreads.4/ Don't overthink it. It's a sketchbook.5/ Use random selections of words and phrases from a favourite novel as inspiration and page titles.6/ Each page must include collage.7/Copy and post each page before constructing the book So here is the first one!