on 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 Moreart pop-ups
Art is popping up like peonies this week. I’m thrilled to be part of Maine College’s of Art’s Summer Art Sale, collect. We went to the preview Thursday night in their new space on Free Street in Portland. The infinitely lovely Annie Wadleigh greeted me with the news that my Heron Moon had sold to her neighbor. Sweet! MECA decided to forgo the 37 year tradition of an art auction in favor of a direct sale, where artists set their own prices. You can read more HERE. There was a TON of work, with bright orange tags that made it feel a bit like a sale at Hub Furniture, but art...
Read Morespring rites
It’s been an eventful spring break. I have eggs and peeps on the brain, which may explain this drawing of Maine College of Art student Molly Steinmetz. She’s a maker and shaker that needed to be drawn, and with tulips no less. In between lots of walks and sorting out tax stuff, I read Here Come the Humpbacks! at a Peaks Island benefit for our fiercely independent local bookstore, Longfellow Books, which suffered major damages to their store during a February storm. We showed them some love. Thanks to Eleanor Morse for pulling it together and Scott Nash for the design below. What...
Read Morehappy new year
I’m very fond of the Chinese New Year. As a former resident of San Francisco, I relate to all the Asian wisdom and ritual around new beginnings. And, it’s nice to have another fresh start, since the calendar new year seems to come too close behind the holidays for a truly clean slate. However, I am NOT fond of snakes. In fact, I am totally phobic! I repurposed my illustration of a snake from Nest, Nook & Cranny by Susan Blackaby for a New Year’s card for my SF neighbor, Frank Ching. I guess the snake is all about transforming with ease, so I will embrace my fears,...
Read Morebreezy book spree
I’ve been riding the waves lately with a trio of book outings, three days in a row. On Saturday we zoomed past the ferry on our way to Diamond Cove on the water taxi. Marty’s likin’ it! I was the third and final speaker in the Fort McKinley Museum Summer Lecture Series on Great Diamond Island. Built in the 1890’s as a defense for Portland Harbor, the fort is now a private residential community. Our hosts, Richard and Jane Cullen, gave us a tour by golf cart. Peaks Island has similar batteries like this, but not as old as this: 1899! We stopped at the Fort McKinley...
Read MoreWednesday is for wee ones
A sharp-eyed troop of little artists from the Peaks Island Children’s Workshop visited my studio on Wednesday, for a reading of Seven Days of Daisy. I gave them magnifying glasses, for seeing every little thing and more. They saw my messy, messy studio, my camera collection, and a sneak peak at my next book. They also worked on their own stories with energy galore. They know the days of the week, but maybe not the order just yet. But they know how to make every day count! Too soon it was time for them to head off to their next adventure, holding hands and noticing new sights all the...
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