seeds of conflict and peace
One aspect of illustration I relish is the chance to do research. Maybe I miss doing those book reports from school, or maybe it’s my keen curiosity. I had a fantastic opportunity to go back in time, waaaay back, when I worked on a project for Cricket Magazine. “Jason and Jonathan” is a story by Eric Kimmel, set in ancient Judea. Two boys from opposite sides of their village, one Greek, the other Judean, meet in the caves above the town and become friends. Art director Karen Kohn provided some reference, mostly of Greek soldiers and Greek vase art, while I scoured the local...
Read Morepixie peeps
Here’s a detail from the piece that is in the Maine Illustrators Collective’s “Working Artists Show” at the Kennebunk Free Library. Man, that is a lovely library. When delivering my art, we got there a bit before it opened. We enjoyed taking in the magnificent entrance, complete with cheery cafe umbrellas outside and a bronze statue of kids reading on a bench. There is a stellar permanent collection of Maine children’s book art that includes familiar greats like Kevin Hawkes, Melissa Sweet, Charlotte Agell, Lisa Jahn-Clough, Judith Hunt, Wade Zahares, Holly...
Read Moreworking artists show
This original illustration will be part of an upcoming show: The WORKING ARTISTS SHOW, organized by the Maine Illustrators’ Collective, will be featuring art by many nationally known and internationally published artists at Kennebunk Free Library in Hank’s Room, a gallery space, in Kennebunk, ME. Show runs July 2nd-July 31st. Artist’s Reception is July 8th 4:30-7:30pm. The public is welcome. This show, featuring professional, commercial artists was created to promote public awareness of an art form usually seen for a few fleeting moments in print or film. Most consumers are...
Read Morepuzzling together history
Memorial Day seems like a good time to mention that I recently worked on a puzzle activity for the Fifth Maine. Built as a reunion spot for Civil War veterans, now it is a museum and community hall, site of countless weddings, concerts, and educational outings. I’ve visited the Fifth Maine on Peaks Island many times for events over the years, but learned plenty during the research for this assignment. Marty designed this sharp logo awhile back that captures the clean lines of this antique structure. I browsed around the cases of artifacts, all of them locked and in the actual...
Read Moreo say can you see
I have so much to process from our recent trip to Washington, DC, I don’t know where to begin. We traveled with friends, saw old friends, and plenty of art and monuments in between. The change in administration and spring blossoms drew crowds just like us, so we didn’t get our White House tour tickets. But it’s the very first sight we needed to see upon arrival. Isn’t is beautiful? The next day was sunny and sublime, taking in the glories of the National Mall. Both my daughter and I took photos of Alexander Calder’s “The Gwenfritz,” a 35- ton stabile...
Read Morenew eyes
How did this happen already? Today I have been on Peaks Island 17 years! I take anniversaries seriously, or at least give them a moment for celebration, reflection, and a deep sigh of gratitude. Ahhhh, island life. What a trip it’s been. Marty and I traveled from San Francisco via Daly City (could barely make it out of city limits on the first day of the move), Los Angeles (thanks, Ged), Quartzite, AZ, Albuquerque, NM, Oklahoma City, Nashville, Pittsburgh, Old Saybrook, CT, and then…Portland. We showed up for the very first ferry at Casco Bay Lines at 5:45 AM, but no Mayflower...
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