a yarnish tale
We had our first snow the other night. Time to pull the woolly sweaters out of the trunk. I did the above sketch in early rounds for Cast On Cast Off by Leslie Ann Bestor, which Publisher’s Weekly just named one of the top lifestyle books of the year! Noting that “clear presentation distinguishes this reference guide that should be on the shelves of knitters who want to develop their craft and their own style” I am thrilled. My first sketches were too narrative, and eventually my illustrations play a suggestive role, indicating a knitwear piece at the beginning of each...
Read MoreHalloween Peaks Island style
I’ve been getting into an eery mood watching my middle school crush. Sketched this from an episode of The Best of Dark Shadows. Despite the vintage production values, the show remains creepy as ever. Only two pumpkins survived the warm, wet weather in order to be carved. Our trick or treater scopes out the moonrise before setting out. We stopped in at the Gem Gallery early on. It’s a tradition to see what Witch Kristen has to offer. After avoiding the haunted house at the Lions Club, but scoring an apple, we were drawn to our final destination, best saved for last: the Nash...
Read MoreMECA mid-term musings
Things are busy in my junior illustration majors studio course at Maine College of Art. Students recently completed illustrating a rituals theme, with solutions ranging from an annual naked bike ride in Philadelphia, to Burning Man, to the piece below by Kiah Gardner, which fits today’s mood in a fetching way. Kiah’s interest in fiber relief was renewed by a recent visit from Salley Mavor, who gave a fantastic lecture about her professional journey and working methods in early October. She brought original pieces of her unique fiber relief illustrations. While students are...
Read Moreautumn attitude
So what does an illustrator do between deadlines? Celebrate! I started with birthday cake for breakfast, before it was light out. Icing and coffee: so good together. Getting cool cards like this one from Marty is always a gift. And to get tickets to a Cirque du Soleil performance, whew. My daughter and I were thrilled! C’est tres bien to share a birthday with a soul sistah like Nicole d’Entremont, neighbor, friend, author, and teacher. Here we are wishing big things. Thanks, Eleanor Morse, for hosting! I cured my hankering for mountains with a visit to the motherland of orange...
Read Moreoctober fest
October is my birth month, so the opal in my soul shines a little brighter these days. I received a fantastic surprise via Caroline Arnold, author of A Warmer World: my first book trailer! One luxury is being between deadlines, and having time to enjoy the busy scene in Portland. Marty and I attended the preview opening for Elegant Enigmas: The Art of Edward Gorey at the Portland Public Library. Kudos to Scott Nash, who found the sponsors to bring this incredible show to town. Here he recites a few of his favorite Gorey rhymes. It was a delighted crowd, and one filled with familiar faces,...
Read Morefirefly ball
Now that we’ve turned the corner on summer, I’ll share my recent project. I illustrated a poem by Dana Roffler, a whimsical verse about a midsummer’s night frolick under a full moon. It was a challenge, but fun, to bring together a parade of animals. Saturday night’s September full moon hid behind soggy clouds, but that didn’t stop the annual Sacred and Profane at Battery Steele. It’s also a frolick of sorts that brings together art installations in the bowels of a World War 2 era bunker on Peaks Island, along with performances and eerie music echoing...
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