Tuesday 27 March 2012

A messy book group


Three summers ago I joined a group that helped change my life. I  know that sounds a bit far fetched - and you'll be even more dubious when I tell you what the book was - but it's the truth. It awoke something inside me that had been lying dormant for a very long time.

The book was Wreck This Journal: To Create is to Destroy by Keri Smith and the group was run by coach Jamie of Jamie Ridler Studios. Over the summer of 2009 around 40 of us destroyed our journals in the most creative ways imaginable and underwent a transformation. Suddenly we realised that art did not have to be about carefully positioned paint or strategically structured design. Art could be the messy stain left over after you squashed your spaghetti between the pages of the book. Art was words, dirt, stickers, fluff. Creativity was burning, cutting, smearing. Supplies were everywhere - from the long forgotten impulse buys from the craft shop to flora and fauna or even your own hair picked up off the floor of the salon!

We mixed in some guts and a whole heap of fun and just let go. Our Muses were given free rein and they loved it! We shared our wrecking each week on Jamie's blog and inspired each other to be more revolutionary, daring and downright dastardly to our books.

Our friends and families, at first bemused, began to join in too. By the end of our adventure we each held something really special. I for one, was truly inspired. I knew that from that day forward, my house would never again be tidy and nor would I ever be far from a tube of paint. Magic had happened!
  • Does that sound good to you?
  • Do you fancy quite literally letting rip?
  • Want your creativity to be let loose to have a mash up with your Muse?
Well, let's do it! Join me for a couple of months of messy play with another of Keri's books Mess: The Manual of Accidents and Mistakes . Every week we can return here and share our creative adventures, inspiring each other onto more daring devilment with every page.

Are you in?

Sign up below. All you need to play is your imagination, somewhere to post your week's mess and plenty of wild, crazy abandon! Let's start sharing our first forays into letting loose on Friday 6th April - I'll create us a separate blog so we can keep all posts together, but you'll find the link to it here. I'll make us a badge too - but do spread the word Tweet: Join the Wright Brainers for a Messy Book Club



Buy your copy



11 comments:

  1. Have I managed to switch word verification off?

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  2. Dang if this Ozark Farm Chick isn't stretched for time and plantin' season is upon us. This sounds like a heap of fun!

    I'll try to check in every once in awhile.

    God bless ya from the very busy Missouri Ponderosa! :o)

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  3. Sure shootin' sister...no word verification here.

    Woohoo~~~I hate the stinkin' thing! :o)

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  4. Hey sweetie, in chance of lookin' like a stalker here, I wanted to pop in and thank ya for visitin' with your sweet comment and hoppin' on my blog. I sure hope ya enjoy the ride.

    God bless and in the words of that wacky old Granny Clampett, "ya'll come back now, ya hear!!!"

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  5. This sounds like fun. Do I need to have a copy of the book - I am in Aussieland and don't know if I can get a copy of the book in time for 6th April.

    ~ Blessings ~
    Joy

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  6. Hi Joy - I tried to reply to your comment but it won't let me for some reason... Yes, you will need a copy of the book. Another participant from Australia has ordered hers from The Book Depository as she said they usually arrive pretty quickly. It doesn't matter if you miss the first week - you can see what everyone else is doing anyway! Could you do me a favour and pop your email in the register your interest box, then I can add you to the list for when I send out all the joining details. It will be great to have you on board!

    http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/ - they offer free worldwide delivery.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you - I will order a copy of the book, I already have two books on their way from The Book Depository (my favourite book shop !!!), they are very quick. And I will register my interest. I am really looking forward to this.

      ~Blessings~
      Joy >i<

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    2. OK - done and done :) Registered and book ordered and ready to 'play'

      ~Blessings~
      Joy >i<

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  7. I am in and book bought, can't wait to see what will happen!

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  8. This is so wonderful!! Wreck this Journal was such a powerful experience! A great reminder that getting messy and having fun can be profound in its own wright ;)

    Have a glorious time on this next adventure! May it be magical!

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  9. Have ordered my book and am anxious to join in the fun and mess!

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