welcoming guests at MECA
The little hive known as MECA was plenty busy during the first half of the spring semester. In Illustration 2, we welcomed some amazing guests. Last Thursday, just in from San Francisco, a dynamic pair of creators arrived to tell their story. Hugh D’Andrade and Mati McDonough frequently collaborate, as couples often do. Yet they have very different approaches to their work. They made a presentation first to the junior illustration majors. Hugh studied fine art at the California College of Art and after graduating, began doing free art for friends, for posters around San Francisco for...
Read Moreboston blast
I’ve been digging in to my current project with all hands on deck. Drawing a multitude of animals, and taking lots of notes. I scavenged a plastic bear from my daughter’s neglected toy bin to help with shadows and form for the book jacket sketches. These two sketches (cropped here) were the favorites out of 8 variations. I did a color comp for the publisher’s jacket meeting. Again, here is just the bear. While awaiting feedback on cover issues, I resumed working on the interior illustrations. Just as I was about to tackle a complex page of penguins underwater eating...
Read Morehearty peeps
G Ah, it’s the day to strut my favorite colors: red, orange, and pink, in that order. I love getting out handmade items, such as the felt runner above, made by Kathy Newell. The peeps are a little chewy, perhaps thanks to Valentine products being in stores since, um, the day after Christmas. It’s important to start such a lovey dovey day off right: warm heart-shaped scones for breakfast, one flies out the door with the middle schooler, and another is enjoyed with my heart’s desire. It’s been a week filled with work, events, travel, and as always, love. There are...
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 Morebeyond shopping
The time has finally come! MECA’s holiday sale begins tonight. The tenacious elves in IL 421 have been working on sale items for the Illustration department tables for the past month. While ideas were in the making, the busy and talented Betsy Thompson visited the class to share her wisdom and talents. She brought in lots of sketchbooks, portfolios, marketing tips, resources, you name it. Thanks, Betsy! She also gave feedback on early ideas for products and packaging. These are cute things by Bri Juliana will sell these felt toys that must be fondled: Seumas did some awesome...
Read Morevisions and views from MECA
The senior illustration students at Maine College of Art have had a busy fall: looking, listening, and drawing. As background for a sci-fi book jacket assignment, the esteemed Joshua Bergey gave a fascinating lecture on his grandfather, Earle Bergey, a brilliant illustrator of many genres in the 30’s and 40’s. Joshua never met his grandfather, who died when Joshua’s father was young. He’s piecing together a biography, and talking to models still living. He also shared a big collection of books and magazines with Bergey’s illustrations, as well as some of the...
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