A Generation of Leaves
Peaks Island author Nicole d’Entremont debuted her second novel recently at the Peaks Island Library to a warm crowd, stating, “I wanted to launch my book in the community where it was written.” A Generation of Leaves begins in Pubnico, Nova Scotia, where Nicole’s ancestors settled centuries ago. The story follows two brothers who enlist in World War 1, and takes the reader from Canada to the trenches of France and back. She displayed some of her rich sources of inspiration and information, including her uncle Leo’s attestation papers from 1914. This...
Read MoreVeils
In Jon Robin Baitz’s introduction to More McMullans, he writes: The poster for a play is a tricky thing. It has many functions, and in order to succeed, it must meet all of them equally. It is a hybrid between an advertisement for the thing you are going to see and a psychological announcement of the show’s raison d’etre. It is the promissory note for the emotions to be evoked by the play in question. As a huge fan of James McMullan’s poster work for Lincoln Center, it’s a thrill to tackle that “tricky thing” for Portland Stage Company. Creating a...
Read Morelove lives!
Happy Valentines Day all you hotties! This is the day I wait for, full of doilies and sugar and kisses. I’ve been making valentines with a frenzy and a glue stick. I have cohorts in this activity: a table-full of valentine vixens gathered recently at the home of Mary Anne Lloyd. Bliss is a clutter of paper scraps and chocolates. Here are a coupla quickies of mine, things go faster with vintage letraset! I also made valentines at the Sweet ‘Art pop-up shop, in the company of fine illustration students from Maine College of Art! That First Friday was chock-a-block with wonderful...
Read Moresweet MECA semester
The lights are bright at Maine College of Art, where the arctic vortex is no match for my intrepid illustration students. Here’s Molly Steinmetz, drawing BAREHANDED in zero degrees, for eager students from the Levy Day School during their outing to Monument Square for a story-telling flash mob. Many students are performing outside the classroom in other ways. This is Molly’s piece for an exhibit, Crytpo-Fauna, Chimera- Flora that opens this evening at Sanctuary Tattoo in Portland, a brave nod to warm spring thoughts amidst the chill. Liz Long’s piece, In Bloom, suggests...
Read Morea close shave with sketchbook project 2014
I sent off my latest Sketchbook Project in the nick of time. Big exhale! I knew it was optimistic that I could complete it on top of my John Muir Wrestles a Waterfall deadline. But I couldn’t resist! I decided it would keep my pencils sharp by drawing yet more Muir and yet more beards. The more I learn about him, the more I love him. I drew a few other bearded wonders from the same century. In fact, the 19th century is apparently famous for big beards, in a complex blend of historical factors, according to this article in the Atlantic. Anybody know this man? Flash forward to the 2013...
Read Moreholiday homestead
We’ve sent off our annual greeting cards, and this one above by Marty really captures the feel of holiday around the ole homestead. It’s an artful combo of our barn door and the view from the rear of the barn. Yes, that’s Marty stacking wood. The holiday season always gets so compressed. I have to remind myself of the blessings that come with it. Like snow! And amazing light And shopping in Portland And thanks to a recipe in my favorite Christmas book by Tomie de Paola, I enjoy baking some cheer. I do like words and baking! We may be the last ones to trim our tree, but it...
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