isabelle stops in
Summer in Maine is a fleeting yet spectacular thing. It helps, when you’re on a deadline, to have an island outside your studio, an island that draws others into your world unexpectedly. Recently, Isabelle Dervaux knocked on my door, a famously talented illustrator visiting our neighbors across the street! I was in the midst of working on a poster for Portland Stage Company, and she wanted to take photographs. Now a photo organizer, she enjoys creating visual narratives. I showed her some of my sketches for Words By: Ira Gershwin and the Great American Songbook, in which I tried...
Read Morecolor of peaks
Tonight is the 9th annual Color of Peaks show at the TEIA. I’ve been part of every one of them. The club, as it’s known, is a daily sight in my travels with the dog. I did this pastel of the building, built in 1912, several years ago. On Tuesday I was rehearsing my presentation for a talk at the TEIA, Island Inspirations, when Daisy walked through. She remains my muse, only taller. A lot taller. I’m better known on the island as “Daisy’s mom” which suits me just fine. I’m grateful to the entire island community that sustains me and endlessly sparks...
Read Moreon the seven seas
July already? I turned the calendar and realized this month is…pretty bustling. When I saw this photo via author April Sayre, of an Indiana boy just home from the local library with our book, I remembered: summer is for lolling about with a good read. I’ll be signing copies of Here Come the Humpbacks this Friday from 1 – 3 PM at the Seaside Shop on Peaks Island. Stop in! Next week on July 9 I will join author James Hayman for a talk about how island life inspires our work, down at the TEIA (also known as the Trefethen Evergreen Improvement Association, or “the...
Read Moreon the elephant trail
Ever since I read about Hope Elephants last November in the Press Herald, I’ve wanted to see them. Who isn’t captivated by these grand yet gentle animals? We headed north yesterday through Wiscasset, where I can’t pass up a stop at Rock Paper Scissors. And what did I spy there? We wound our way to the hub of Hope, the Hope General Store for a great lunch. Found another hint that we were on the right trail. We arrived for a pre-arranged visit, along with about 20 folks. Dr. Jim Laurita first met the two Asian elephants, Rosie and Opal, at Carson & Bailey Circus in the...
Read MorePeaks Fest even dozen
Summer is now official. Peaks Fest, our annual community show of spirit, launched this year’s events with another swell t-shirt by my better half, Marty. Everybody gets into the act, including the Gem Gallery, with an exhibit called “Treasure & Applesauce” that featured cherished objects, things that hold great beauty, cleverness, and strength of spirit, and nothing for sale. We shared a faded but lovely baby quilt made by Marty’s grandmother. And a wooden whirlygig made by a dearly departed neighbor, Harry Hults, a replica from a Trefethen model, since our house...
Read Moredrawing loop
Sometimes it’s about noticing the connections. We got a ride back to retrieve our bikes from neighbor, Dick Reed. The weather looked more promising, so we rode to New Gloucester to check out the new Bresca spot and then loop back to Portland to see the Sketchbook Project. When I began my 2013 Sketchbook last October, I drew the bench in front of Bresca with my lovely cohort, Kirsten. Chef/owner Krista Kern Desjarlais has moved her operation to Sabbathday Lake. I knew we’d found it when I spotted the same bench! They weren’t open yet, but we delighted in the location. This...
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