polar paradox
I’ve gotten the layouts back for A Warmer World, the book project I am working on. These two pages have gone through more changes. Back to the drawing board with polar bears. While the premise of global climate change is undeniable, it’s not feeling warmer right now. Sub-zero temps and another blanket of snow make this winter feel like the old-fashioned kind. The kind that drives one to cozy pursuits like… baking. We decided to try making the January cupcakes from the Hello, Cupcake calendar I got for Christmas. Yup, polar bears! These were not exactly easy to make, and...
Read Moresketch book project
Today’s the deadline for the Sketchbook Project! It’s been a fun engagement, and I’m almost sad to see it go. A recent Snow Day helped, allowing time for natural wonders and drawing. A walk with the dog begins the day, sharpening my powers of observation. Noticed Perry’s wheelbarrow ready to cart some powder. The fresh air invigorates my need to organize. Sharpen every pencil and take stock of my tools. With the MECA semester about to begin, I have class on my mind. Here are some drawings done for the Sketchbook Project during a model session. I usually draw along...
Read Morein with the new
I found some mitten wrapping paper by Graham & Snow that became a collage card to ring in the new. The first week of the year was busy with newness. I went to an opening for an exhibit of photographs by Peaks Islander Zev Eisenberg in the lobby gallery of the Chestnut Street Lofts in Portland. Zev, a junior in the new media department at U Maine in Orono, possesses an eye for the surprise moment. As the son of Avner the Eccentric and Julie Goell, he’s wise to the slight of hand and lyricism that are everyday in his household. Here he is straightening his work with the level in his...
Read Moreode to joy
Joy is such a diminutive word, but it’s been showing up lately for me. I think if I carry the idea of joy around in my head, everything will be all right. I painted the little plate above at a recent girl party at a neighbor’s pottery studio. Without a whole lot of thought, out came this little tree and “joy.” But it didn’t come out of nowhere. I’ve been clipping little twigs with berries for decorating the house, bringing the outside in. I notice the twig is a metaphor for the tree, and the tree becomes anything looking to branch out. Noticing nature...
Read Moreblizzard blast
Christmas was sweet around here, thanks to secret Santas, and a dusting of confectioner’s sugar, followed by a good blast of snow on Monday. Even a visit to Nana at Birchwoods was a delicious treat. Nothing like an overload of sugar to fuel a session of snow sculpting. I visited the Freeport Library on Wednesday for a celebration of winter with other DownEast authors and illustrators. Even that place looked totally sprayed with snow. The first to read was Lynn Plourde, a word player extraordinaire. Her background in speech therapy no doubt informs her lyrical delivery of rhymes;...
Read Moreknitting a story
Funny how many strings connect us, and when they come together, there’s a story. I’ve had mittens on the brain lately. Spotted my neighbor, Pam, knitting on the boat on Friday morning. She had a story to tell about her mitten, being ripped out too many times because she wasn’t following a pattern. Patterns! Folks have been asking about the compass mitten pattern for those featured in Ice Harbor Mittens. The author, Robin Hansen has put the pattern in a nifty kit with yarn. She happily showcased them at our book celebration on Saturday at the Maine Maritime Museum in...
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