animal power
I keep my eyes peeled at all times and a camera in my back pocket. I never know when my image bank will come in handy. I just finished a piece for the 2013 Lunar Calendar, illustrating a poem by Sarah Fuhro that mentions a heron. I found this shot, recently taken during our trip to London, at the Serpentine in Hyde Park. What a handsome fellow. And here’s a sighting on Peaks Island just last week: I made this drawing, using a bit of collage, and incorporating a feather found on the beach. Another bit of paper moon found it’s way into a card made for my friend, Susan, who makes an...
Read More88 keys
My poster for 2 Pianos 4 Hands is back in circulation. Portland Stage has brought this “comedy with music about a lifetime’s obsession with 88 keys” back by popular demand. I did the illustration quite awhile ago, since the play ran originally in January of 2011. I worked on the illustration 2 summers ago, and Marty posed on the ivories. Since then, he began taking piano lessons. Life imitating art? I’ve had the pleasure of listening to both my husband and daughter practicing their instruments for the last year. The message in 2 Pianos 4 Hands is complicated. Being...
Read Morelove that dirty water
I left some of my heart in Boston years ago. It was my formative post-college city for 8 amazing years. I did the above illustration eons ago, but it still captures my vibe for Kenmore Square. See the moon? I recently connected with Nancy F Passmore, esteemed publisher of Luna Press, to which I have contributed for 30 years. We roamed about the MFA for three languid hours, catching up under the lights. I have Buddha on the brain, for a current project. Plenty of exquisite places to pause for meditation. We made our way through the maze of galleries to see Seeking Shambhala, an exhibit that...
Read Moreeverything’s related
Sometimes you notice how everything’s related. I’m closing out an entire week in my studio, with not one trip off-island. Splendid. Even though it’s nice to be done with the MECA semester, I’m enjoying working with an art student, Olwyn. She lives across the street. I’ve actually drawn almost everyone in her family, who’ve been handy models on many occasions. Her younger sister, Imogen, posed for a drawing in my 2011 Sketchbook Project. And here’s their little brother, who provides plenty of amusement, in the same sketchbook. Nikolai also posed for a...
Read Morethe play’s the thing
Theater is on the brain here. Marty and I had the good fortune to attend Portland Stage’s annual Spring Gala benefit last week. I illustrated the brochure (above) and then created a layered collage in a shadow box, below. This was presented to L.L. Bean at the event, in honor of their loyal sponsorship of Portland Stage. Here’s Artistic Director, Anita Stewart, with the art: Her dashing husband, Ron Botting, then handed it to Rosemary Moser, Community Relations Director at LL Bean. Elements from my illustration were used in signage here and there, in curious company at the...
Read Morepop up show at Charlesbridge
In honor of Children’s Book Week, Charlesbridge Publishing had the brilliant idea for a pop-up show in the empty office space two flights below theirs, on Main Street in Watertown, MA. I bopped down with Curious Co-Pilot, Kirsten Cappy, in dotty style. Trivia question: what are we holding? I brought along original sketches and my toy polar bear that provided handy reference for A Warmer World. Some framed pieces were part of an incredibly abundant exhibit of children’s book illustration. I’m thrilled by the company I’m in! Here’s one of Rafael Lopez’s...
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