Anita Kunz
When an internationally acclaimed illustrator lands on your little island, the sun shines so much brighter. Anita Kunz arrived for a residency at the Illustration Institute in early August and my family eagerly attended her workshop at the Fifth Maine last Tuesday. Anita’s presentation began with the claim “Art has power” and her show of illustrations by others from history and contemporary culture made that point brilliantly. Art can incite violence, recruit people to war, or to resist war. Art can challenge the status quo or invoke worship, provide satire or remind us of...
Read MoreMarilyn Faison Artist Residency
Many thanks to the Illustration Institute for a week’s artist residency a mere five minute walk from my Peaks Island home. So close, and yet so far away. The dirt road winds up into the woods where tall pines make you forget the summer hubbub that is now Peaks Island. The chance to be in a place apart brings a new awareness for any artist. I found so many objects of affection around the house, and drew some into the little book made in Gregory Christie’s Illustration Institute Workshop. Fallen petals urged me to capture the welcoming bouquet. too. I chose a work space on a second...
Read MoreThis Island Life
For the past two weeks, I’ve been up to my salty eyeballs with all things Illustration, largely thanks to the Illustration Institute’s second season of incredible programming. I’m excited to co-lead a Nature Sketchbooks By the Sea Workshop with author Lyn Smith this Thursday on July 26! Details HERE. On July 10, my MECA colleague, Judy Labrasca, joined me and several kidlit friends for Gregory Christie’s Illustration Institute bookmaking workshop at the Fifth Maine. Gregory is an award-winning illustrator and author with a special interest in book-binding. On the...
Read MoreColor of Peaks
The ferry to Peaks comes and goes, as always, carrying more people and memories than ever before. I have lived here for 26 years, and continue to marvel at the beauty. I document the boats, the reflections, the ever changing light, and they inform my personal work and my illustration. The 15th Annual Color and Pages of Peaks event held at the TEIA on Friday night was that kind of island gathering that reminds everyone what a shiny rock we share. I had spent the weeks prior preparing work for sale. I made this petite pastel titled Marsh Spirit and Marty placed it in a vintage frame....
Read MoreSeeing Stars in Fairfield
I was warmly welcomed last Thursday to the lovely Lawrence Public Library in Fairfield, Maine. With the help of Children’s Librarian, Alyssa Patterson, I set up my pretend beach in the cheerful children’s reading room. Thanks to Library Director Louella Bickford for this shot of me reading Ana and the Sea Star. Kids tried the locomotion game with their sea stars in hand, and then colored a pocket for keeping. I brought some sanded pastel paper, like I used in illustrating the book, and invited everyone to try it. Stella gave me her drawing! Thank you! I also brought a large pad,...
Read MoreMoody Point Creative Retreat
A retreat, even one that’s two nights away, can be quite nourishing. I traveled to Wells Beach, Maine last week with Kirsten Cappy to step away from our usual, thanks to the generosity of Lyn Smith‘s family. Each of us starting new picture book projects was the main goal. We arrived under foul weather, but that didn’t stop us from walking to the shore where Lyn got a windy weather report from Kirsten. Back at the Cottage, a little blue bedroom became my work and dream space. I found a nature journal by Lyn’s son, Eric, from when he was 9. It proved the best prompt as...
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