Book of Days
a weekly art meditation
What , Why & How...
In the summer of 2000 I was in need of an art project I could really sink into.
A few months into that global season of uncertainty, I needed an anchor to prevent my self from getting lost all the surrounding chaos.
I’d seen this ‘very big sketchbook’ in some artist’s youTubes, a 600 page beast, measuring 12.5 x 10.75 inches.
Physically and metaphorically weighty, without any plan how to fill all those pages, I knew this was the place for me to begin. To begin this whatever-it-would-turn-into project.
Mondays
One Monday in July 2020, with no expectations, I began what would become my regular art meditation .
After a week of dipping in and out, the first page felt ‘done’ and so began my new Monday ritual:
Every week began with a new double page spread in my Book of Days.
Over the following days I’d add to it here and there, watching it evolve into a glorious mish-mash of sketches, scribbled notes, ideas, colour studies, swatches and more!
Over time it became an accidental diary recording fragments of time I’d otherwise forget.
To avoid lugging this hefty book around on holidays, I tore out the pages for the weeks I’d be away, take them with me, then tape them back in place when I got home. I never missed a week in almost 6 years!!
Curious Creatures
Before long these pages started to populate with new characters, from somewhere in the behind the scenes area of my imagination.
Some of these folk have gone on to appear in illustrations for my art postcards.
At the time of writing I’m compiling the long awaited volume 2 of my Imaginary Friends & Curious Creatures Zine, where you’ll find a few of these appear too.
Volume 1 can be found here in my Etsy store
Page by page
Take a gander through the pages on YouTube.
The flip-throughs are chunked into manageable sized episodes of 3-5 minutes or so.
But there are a lot.
Bring snacks in case you get hooked.
More coming soon.
Page 300, & beyond...
In April 2026 I reached page 300, the final spread in this enormous book.
After nearly six years, close to 10% of the time I’ve spent on this earth, it leaves the question:
What next…?
What next, is Book of Days Volume 2, of course 😉
A significantly smaller book this time so she can travel on holiday with me, out and about, gathering doodles from new places. Allowing me to bring my quiet place with me wherever I need it.
Follow my new adventure on Instagram
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