Eliza Day-Green’s artistry goes beyond simple categorization. As the fifth featured artist in Fiber Art Now’s ongoing sketchbook series, her work spans a vibrant spectrum. From wearable art to sculpting with natural fibers, her creative journey is one of constant experimentation and innovation. Beyond her art, Day-Green also shares her expertise by teaching numerous workshops throughout the year.
We are excited for our readers to dive into her world this month.
I use a sketchbook in my art practice every day in some way or another, so I guess you could say it is a chronological approach—a visual diary so to speak. I have been filling sketchbooks for many years and often go back through them to revisit ideas or find a reference note.
I usually have one main sketchbook that I work in daily and then a smaller sketchbook that I take with me when I travel.
I would say all of these things. I do daily warm-up exercises in my sketchbook before settling down to work in my studio. I like to record whimsical things that I observe or that come to mind during the day. I often tape ephemera I collect into my sketchbook, and these items later find their way into art pieces. My sketchbook is also a safe place to experiment and work out ideas for commissions or bodies of work.
One of the things I love when I go to a gallery or museum show is when there is an artist’s sketchbook on display. Seeing the artist’s thought process is fascinating and adds to understanding and appreciating the work on show. As artists, we don’t create in a vacuum. There are so many influences, trials and errors, and experimentation that happen behind the scenes. I am happy to share my sketchbooks, as I feel they are an integral part of my process and practice.
For some reason, I favor a square sketchbook. There is something about the square format that I find comforting and inspiring. For my daily sketchbook practice, I use the 8 x 8-inch Flexi-Sketch by Speedball, and for traveling I use a small 5.5 x 5.5-inch or smaller hardcover sketchbook. I have tried different brands, but my favorites are the Global Art Handbook Artist Journals.
In the classes that I teach, I always have students do warm-up exercises in their sketchbooks. I believe establishing a regular sketchbook practice is very beneficial, on many levels. I explained it this way to a student once: “An athlete would never go out to play without warming up first.” Similarly, artists get into the flow of their work when they are warmed up, and going to our sketchbooks first can loosen us up and help spark ideas.
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Fiber Art Now has been exploring how artists incorporate sketchbooks or journals into their creative processes. Do you keep a sketchbook, journal, or idea book? Whether you bring it along on vacation or to the coffee shop, we’re curious about your preferences. What type and size do you prefer? How do you organize the content? Do you customize your cover or add pockets for storing ephemera? These are the questions we’re asking artists, and we’d love to hear about your process.
Cami Smith is the Fiber Art Now media manager, community engagement coordinator, and a mixed-media artist.
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