there'll be crocuses to bring to school tomorrow

Well, guess who turned up on my doormat last week? Only my little Green Moleskine. Yes, folks, the traveller has returned. After backpacking around the world for three years one might have thought he'd look a little dishevelled but, no, he's looking gorgeous. AND, he came bearing gifts. Not only a back pocket full of little souvenirs from his travels, but some of the most beautiful drawings I've ever clapped eyes on. I'm so touched to finally have him home, I don't know that I'll ever be able to let him go again (and, let's face it, if I do it could be another twenty years before he returns).

Anyways, below is a little teaser of Suzanne's contribution. Thank you, Suzanne. Thank you all. I'll post more photos shortly.

Didn't we miss your smiling face?

This is the scan I made before Suzanne's moley should start its last after traveling around the world.
Lucky Suzanne, she's got it back! Isn't it nice to be home again?

blogged by freekhand

something is in the air

Contrary to the last post's title, I 'don't rock'...I stink! Here's a confession. I've been keeping a moleskine hostage for days ... weeks ...a long, long time! You see, my mail-themed moly made it around the world and back to me quite some time ago...but, I haven't posted it until now. I was keeping it all to myself.

Perhaps you can understand why.

It's like that the bite of dessert, simply too good to share! Miguel, when are you going to stop blowing my socks off? You're incredible...and you're in good company. I am SOOOO pleased with my moly.

Many thanks to each of you for sharing your talents with me!

Suzanne Rocks (again)

Yikes. Now I have two.

So finally, I'm getting around to posting this. I've had it for some time now, but, when I was packing stuff for the move that hasn't actually happened (a long story) I filed away my camera's USB lead safely. And, well, yeah, I couldn't find it. Until now.

So, here she is. Suzanne in France's Moley. I often feel like I'm repeating myself, at this point, so I'll try not to. Just one thing, Suzanne, how can you be so cool? I can't tell you how much I'd love to draw like this.

On the back Suzanne says "The connection between France and money may appear random but I assure you it isn't. This is the cash we're saving in hopes to travel, see the world and visit our Moly friends." But, that's not right, WE are coming to see YOU! I'm saving up right now. Well, I say saving, but I actually mean hoping for a lottery win.

(I don't know if I chose the best photos, here, but trying to choose from about a hundred is an impossible task. I'll put more on Flickr soon.)

The amazing ideas of Professor Juj

Are you sitting?

Well, now you will see how...
(drumroll here)


... Juj did it again!


She went beyond (once more)...


...to leave us open mouthed


and tell this wonderful snail story.

blogged by freekhand

Green again for "Little Green"

Hi all. Seems Andrea will have a funny moly full with differents kinds of imitations of her style. (When I wrote imitations, you should read tributes).
This was at home for more than a month waiting for me to start drawing. I made it in the last days of the past year, and finished january the 1st. Here is my work diary (written on the back).

bamboo frog's cousin

Can I just let you know how incredibly lucky I feel to have these beautiful Moleskines pass through my hands? Really...


Miguel, I continue to be awed.


Andrea, look at the Moleskine you're getting!!!!


And this one smells good too! What an added bonus.

Looksee!

Look what I got in the mail this week - Suzanne's moley from Gabi!
I was waiting for a sunny day to take lots of pictures to show you, but now that we've finally got one it's too windy to take the thing outside. Hate depriving you all of the pleasure I've been having looking at it so am posting the flat scan Gabi was kind enough to send. Hopefully there'll be pictures galore sometime soon.

autumn leaves revisited

I've now uploaded the photos of Gabi's moley to Flickr. You might like to check them, and all the lovely comments, out HERE. I didn't do to well with these pics, I'm afraid. But, there'll be LOTS more when I add my bit! Cheerio, my ducks.

‘What’s in your Moleskine’ Contest Deadline 11/14

Promote yourself and moly_x. Enter your fabulous moly_x entries.

Moleskine, the heir to the legendary notebook, wants to know what’s inside your Moleskine! With over 140 different formats and styles, there are many different ways to use a Moleskine—to sketch, write, watercolor, reflect, collage, collect mementos and as photo albums.

In celebration of creativity and imagination, Moleskine is looking for readers to share photos and comments about their Moleskines. Email pictures of what’s in your Moleskine to webmaster@chroniclebooks.com with the subject line “MOLESKINE.”

Five submissions will be randomly selected to receive a Free Moleskine Pack of Notebooks. The pack will include a Pocket Ruled Notebook, a Pocket Sketchbook and a Pack of Plain Kraft Pocket Cahiers.

We’ll post the images on an upcoming post announcing the winners! Also check out our Facebook Company Page to see the latest entries. Entries must be submitted by Friday Nov 14th.

autumn blew it's leaves at me

So finally, guys, here it is. Suzanne's contribution to Gabi's Moley.

Looking really beautiful, I'm sure you'll agree.

The colours are just so good. SO good.

Can't wait to get working on it. But, I think I might just look at it some more, for a little while longer.

It's dreamy.

(Click on photos to view)

Gambling snails

I always feel that opening the packs that come from Kansas City is worth the length of the wait.
In this case it took 20 days (maybe the moley was carried by a snail to continue on topic).


Juj's art makes me always think of intelligence and smartness and this is not an exception.


As you see this moley seems a joyful tribute to Andrea's art.


Seems like those albums with songs of an artist sung by other artists in which each version keeps the art of both.


There are blendings here rather than the usual transitions.
Touring over the pages is a never ending surprise, they are full of little secrets, writings, pieces of stories and living episodes.

PS: Do you like the table? My father made it in the 70's. He worked all sunday mornings for more than one year. (Excuse me please me for the intrusion but I'm too proud).

Thank you France (& co.)

Thank you all for your kind comments, and thank you France for your drawings.
I tried this little joke (you were right, estaba bromeando) because I've been always jealous of your portraits and your amazing technique but as everybody can see... you're inimitable! (actually, Q.E.D.).
I used some Pigma Microns and a Copic Drawing pen for the blacks and a Faber Castell OHP-PLUS 1523 for the green. Here is the flat scan I made before sending.

france on paper

Are you ready to see Miguel's unbelievable contribution to France's Moleskine?

Are you really, really ready?

Perhaps you should sit down for this.

Really.

Ok, here goes...

Isn't she lovely?

Pray for me. I have to draw next to this.

Bamboo frog has some reading to do

After much procrastinating I'm finally posting France's fabulous follow up to Andrea's pages on Miguel's moley. Let me guess, I think France likes Paul Auster. This moley, by the way, is the second on my desk waiting for my own contribution. The pressure!

what it is ain't exactly clear

I am more than pleased that France didn't find this drawing's secret on first viewing. I feel I achieved my objective.

Once I'd got going, I had fun with this one. In fact, I'd made up a story to each piece of jewellery, and how granny had acquired them. I would have put notes on the drawing but, I felt, the page was a little too small. Anyway, I've decided to revisit this theme in the future. Notes and all.

And finally, the plug for the whole set of photos so far. See them HERE.

Jewel

Here is the latest jewel by Andrea, folks! Can you find the little caged bird? How about the Molex?! I love it when Andrea works with black.
It's a Moly traffic jam at my house now. The pressure is back on. I have to complete Miguel's Moly and then it's on to Juj's.

what was the question?

It's been a little quiet around here recently. I'm actually quite relieved. Because once again it's taken me ages to finish a drawing. But finally it's done. My first contribution to Juj's Moley.

I LOVE Juj's book. I'm sort of jealous of it too. I love the questions it's asking us. I love that even though there was no theme to begin with there seems to be one emerging. Revealing itself. Unfolding in front of our very eyes. Now that really sparks my imagination.

This is on it's way to France tomorrow.

Andrea strikes again

I decided to film the opening of Miguel's Moleskine bearing Andrea's latest contribution.

See it on Vimeo.

Or fast forward to the scan and a photo:

Unveiling secrets

The moment of truth is arrived (by mail) and now we finally know that Juj is actually a groundhog trainer. As this image clearly tells, Juj has some skilled contributors (will some of them become some day independent artists?)

On the next pic we can see better some face expression that makes me think the groundhog was negociating its fees.

Finally (and now seriously) a flat scan Judy sent to me in which we can see the fantastic drawing (see the fur) and the great idea of repeating Gabi's forest on the easel painting to continue the moley.

But I keep on wandering, who did the scan?
Is the idea really a Juj's idea?
Is it a portrait or a self portrait??