In last month’s blog post, we shared the sketchbook processes of three artists from various mediums. It was enthusiastically received. The positive response encouraged us to continue this exploration.
A sketchbook is more than just drawings; it is a tool for generating ideas, experimenting with materials, and it offers a playful space for creativity. There is something freeing about “playing” in a sketchbook. A sketchbook allows you to experiment without fear, letting you explore ideas and designs before committing to a project.
Over the next few months, we will continue to share insights and images from artists who use their sketchbooks to enhance their creative journeys. Join us as we interview Elise Vazelakis. Vazelakis uses recycled materials—like Amazon Prime envelopes—in her creations, and she is a juried member of California Fibers.
My sketchbooks are free-form. I don’t typically sketch out my ideas before starting a project. Instead, I like to draw what I am currently working on or just play with ideas. Along with drawing, I integrate notes from books, articles, art documentaries, and workshops. This means my sketchbook is a mix of various subjects and styles, reflecting the spontaneous nature of my creative process.
Some of my favorite sketchbook drawings come from my body of work called Thirst. Sketching the details of an artwork helps me study and understand it more deeply. This practice allows me to explore different aspects of my projects and discover new insights that inform the current series I am working on.
Usually, I draw in several sketchbooks simultaneously, each placed in different locations. I keep one in my studio for focused, intentional drawing sessions. Another is in my kitchen, where I can sketch while taking breaks or waiting for meals to cook. I also have one on my bedside table, allowing me to capture late-night inspirations or early-morning ideas. This approach ensures that I can always engage with my creative process, no matter where I am in my daily routine.
All of the above! I closely observe the art I am working on at any particular moment along with integrating written ideas and thoughts into my sketches. Some pages are filled with detailed drawings, while others capture fleeting thoughts or concepts in written form. This integration helps me develop a deeper understanding of my work and keeps my creative process dynamic and fluid. The sketchbooks also serve as documentation and a log of my consumption. My art practice has involved mapping my usage of single-use plastic before I repurpose the detritus into my artwork. My sketchbooks serve to log the items I have collected and integrated into my artwork.
Even though my sketchbooks are private, I am comfortable sharing them. Some of my sketches have become integral components of my 3D installations, bridging my 2D and 3D work. Regular drawing allows for the observation of patterns and progression, building up layer upon layer.
Since my practice involves repurposing items from my environment, I like to recycle and sketch on discarded paper. But for the most part, I use premade sketchbooks by Moleskine. I also love buying sketchbooks from museum art stores as mementos of the museums or exhibitions I have attended.
The most memorable sketchbook experience I had was after my house burned down in the 2018 Woolsey Fire. With all my materials destroyed, I couldn’t create the art I was accustomed to. In response to this loss, I began repeatedly drawing my name and then erasing it, symbolizing the erasure of my history and hence my identity. As I healed and reestablished my identity, my drawings evolved to reflect this process. Out of these initial sketches, I started exploring color and discovered patterns within the compositions. These explorations eventually became works of art. (See photos titled “Erased”)
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Cami Smith is the Fiber Art Now media manager, community engagement coordinator, and a mixed-media artist.
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