I remember having it drummed into me from a very early age to ‘respect books’, ‘treat them with care’ and ‘Look after them’. I, of course handed this advice down to my sons and thought all was good with the world. One day when my son was sick I bought him ‘Wreck This Journal’ by Keri Smith, starting it tested both our resolves. I didn’t realise how hard it was to go against all we had been taught and wreck a book, purposefully and totally. He loves it and has had such great fun, I want one now.
For this blog I looked up how the publishers described this book:
the anarchist’s Artist’s Way — the book for those who’ve always wanted to draw outside the lines but were afraid to do it.
For anyone who’s ever wished to, but had trouble starting, keeping, or finishing a journal or sketchbook comes Wreck This Journal, an illustrated book featuring a subversive collection of suggestions, asking readers to muster up their best mistake – and mess-making abilities to fill the pages of the book (and destroy them).
Through a series of creatively and quirkily illustrated prompts, acclaimed artist Keri Smith encourages journalers to engage in ‘destructive’ acts – poking holes through pages, adding photos and defacing them, painting with coffee, colouring outside the lines, and more – in order to experience the true creative process. With Keri Smith’s unique sensibility, readers are introduced to a new way of art and journal making, discovering novel ways to escape the fear of the blank page and fully engage in the creative process.
Some pages from a work in progress:
