Jamie Fingal and The Sketchbook Project

By Textile Art Review

In June 2021, artist and designer Jamie Fingal completed her contribution to The Sketchbook Project, a globally recognized initiative curated by the Brooklyn Art Library in New York. The project invites artists from around the world to fill and submit sketchbooks, forming a vast and diverse archive of visual storytelling and creative voices.

A Labor of Love

Jamie’s submission is as whimsical and vibrant as her textile work. Her sketchbook brims with imaginative illustrations — houses that resemble donuts, sewing stores filled with tiny stitched details, cozy neighborhoods, teapots, and cafes — all hand-rendered with joy and color. Every page reflects her unique world, where everyday places become delightful characters in a visual narrative.

“Yahoo! I finished my book for The Sketchbook Project!” Fingal exclaimed in her blog. “I will send it next month to New York! This has been a labor of love to do this.” That energy radiates through the images, capturing her signature balance of structure and spontaneity.

From Quilts to Sketches

Known for her bold quilted art and playful fabric lines, Fingal carries the same creativity into her illustration. Her sketchbook is filled with familiar motifs from her textile work: stylized homes, kitchen objects, and community-centered scenes — all translated into ink and watercolor.

Highlights from the sketchbook include a donut-shaped house, a vibrant sewing store, a teapot house with matching cups, and a street lined with local shops. These charming scenes bridge her visual storytelling in both thread and pen.

Contributing to a Global Archive

The Sketchbook Project’s mission is rooted in accessibility, inviting anyone — regardless of background or training — to take part. Jamie Fingal’s contribution brings a professional artist’s hand and a personal voice, blending warmth, humor, and community into her pages.

With her sketchbook now part of the Brooklyn Art Library’s collection, Fingal adds her story to a growing archive of over 50,000 sketchbooks from 130+ countries. Her work joins a global creative chorus, each voice distinct, yet united by the shared act of making.

Explore More

To view Jamie Fingal’s reflections and images from this project, visit the original blog post:
Jamie Fingal Designs