Read to Me
Anyone who knows me well, knows that I am a snail mailer. Always have been. Growing up at the Red Doors Motel in New Hampshire, I befriended girls my age playing in the pool, or at the shuffle board, or during croquet games on the front lawn. Sometimes we became penpals. Letter writing has been a feature of my world, and a correspondence with Marty Braun changed my life. So when Brendan Pelsue’s brilliant script, Read to Me, came along, I was more than ready to tackle the magical realism of letters falling from the sky. The story takes place in a children’s hospital and centers...
Read MoreTis the season
Coming up with an annual holiday card is never a chore. It’s a chance to express my love of winter, long dark nights, and traditions. Ever since we saw a splendid exhibit of Kay Nielsen’s work at the MFA in Boston in October, I’ve had crowns on my mind. seen at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts photo © Jamie Hogan This detail in particular struck me. I became obsessed with these three figures. Art by Kay Nielsen I tried making an owl crown for myself at Halloween, with mixed results. photo by Daisy Braun Midway into November, when the darkness was setting in before 5 PM, I...
Read MoreSkibby camp
A week ago I traveled with author Lyn Smith to Rockywold-Deep Haven Camps in Holderness, New Hampshire for the NESCBWI Squam Lake Writer’s Retreat. My little picture book dummy taking shape over many months was ready for review! We checked into our rustic room, giddy as campers. After mingling a bit and meeting our gracious event coordinator/Co-Regional Advisor Denise Ortakales we headed to the dining hall. The warren of lodges and cabins has lined the northern shores of Squam Lake since 1897, nestled beneath birches and pines. Such a treat to meet simpatico folks and find out what...
Read MoreBaby Bear’s Picnic
Do you feel that crisp air? Some of you may be mourning the passing of summer, but I am jazzed for fall, my favorite season. August flew by while I’ve been working on an illustration project that is not quite ready to share. So meanwhile, here’s a commission done recently, an illustrated gift for an expectant couple. The buyer first requested a pride of lions, but this changed to a family of bears because of the baby’s room theme. I sent these rough sketches first, of a baby bear at a campfire with Mama and Papa Bear. I also tried a bear family with a full moon. And a...
Read MoreJumpin’ July
A friend recently called July the “ADHD of months” and I agree. So. Much. Going. ON. Normally I make blog posts about individual events, but they have been coming at me too dang fast. Here is the whole jam of July: kids books, talks, classes, travels, friends, family. A bounty of sun and color and amazing humans. I was off to the Friends School for their Story in the Forest program on July 9. I read Ana and the Sea Star and then eager campers played a lively game of Ocean Locomotion. They tried moving like sea stars! They also drew sea creatures in pastel, with gusto. I’m...
Read MoreIllustration Feast
Thanks to the Illustration Institute, my summer is off to a bountiful beginning. A little jet-lagged from our Ireland travels, we still made it to the first lecture on June 24 by Chris Raschka who was a Faison resident two summers ago. This time he shared wisdom on keeping travel journals, such a timely topic! His hand-lettered agenda covered all the bases at the Portland Public Library’s event. He discussed the need to work fast, as travel companions may not want to linger for the long looking that sketching or painting requires. With a pot of ink in his pocket, he captures moments...
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