I Never Leave Home Without my Moleskine

February is an insane month in the Art room, when art shows and registration wreak their havoc.

There are two big local art shows that we submit student artwork to, and of course they both happen within two weeks of each other. My students and I are scrambling to finish up work for submission. At the same time, we are beginning the registration process for the 2010-11 school year. I have to spend part of every class signing students into courses for next year as well as recruiting for my Art History program. I really love teaching Art History, and if I don't get a certain number of students, I can't offer the course. On top all of this I've got to teach.....keep kids making and learning. Can we say stress?

In times of stress, I find myself spending more time in my trusty Moleskine sketchbook. It feels good just to draw, with little thought about what it will be. There is something comforting to me about creating on those 3.5" x 5.5" pages. I steal a few minutes here and there during the school day while my art babies are working and often continue those sketches at home while half-watching TV.

I've now got two Moleskines filled with these organic "doodles" crafted with a black Bic pen. I would like to turn them into a "saleable" product, but am not sure what that will be quite yet. Artists, do you ever sell pages out of your sketchbooks? I don't know if I am willing to do that, but I'm considering making prints and adding hand-colored elements with colored pencil or watercolor.

What is your favorite way to relieve stress?