dem bones
I’m in sort of a lull between deadlines, waiting on the green light for three projects. But no dull moments here. A recent lunch with Curious City at El Rayo got me in the mood. That place is so cheery, it makes my week. I brought home a candy skull to fuel the spirits. Made me think of an illustration I did back in my collage days for Chris Hadden, designed for a promo for Spectrum. I was asked to interpret the phrase “dead on.” I once lived in the Mission District of San Francisco, where there’s a year round Mexican flavor. With skulls on the brain, I’ve had...
Read Moreon the drawing trail
I drew this still life while waiting for Judy LaBrasca to join me last week at the Portland Museum of Art. Drawing is the best thing I know to create patience and awareness. It occupies and lightens the mood, anytime, anywhere. We sat in the newly renovated cafe and caught up. Judy was my first mentor at Maine College of Art when I began teaching there several years ago. She shared some of the sketchbooks she’s made for her Narrative Sketchbook class in Continuing Studies. Lovely! A couple of days later, I joined with another MECA colleague, Mary Anne Lloyd, who shared a batch of...
Read Morepop up printmaking in IL 421
MECA’s senior illustration majors recently began a silkscreen assignment by visiting Emblem Studio, located in the nearby Artist Studio building on Congress Street in Portland. Front man Kris Johnsen was a MECA student once, too, and warmly welcomed my curious class into his work space lined with gig posters. He shared a bit of process, pointing out drawing layers for a recent print. After talking and answering questions, Kris escorted us over to Space Gallery, where the exhibit “Pulled” gave the class plenty of inspiration. The show features silkscreen prints curated by...
Read Moregood vibes
I am thrilled to have another illustration appear, the above, in the October issue of Maine Magazine. Genevieve Morgan’s stories always conjure up lots of imagery, and I enjoy visualizing topics with depth, and in this case color! I love working with them. I send a bunch of sketches, they always pick the best one, and off I go. Here’s a sneak peek at the one for November/December, about skin care, from the inside out. The premise is somewhat related to the above, in that our outward appearance benefits from good health at the cellular level. No matter the age, we are a gift, and...
Read Moreback in the hive
Another semester has begun in the BFA program at Maine College of Art, with some refreshing changes. We have a new Interim Dean, Ian Anderson, who has worn many hats during his time with the school. He’s been both on faculty and in the administration. Yay for all of us.Above is my impromptu phrenology of a dean: one who makes art, listens, knows the bones of the institution, the students, the faculty, and the staff, and has a big heart. There’s a whole new studio space for majors in illustration, new media, graphic design, and photography. Kinda chaotic sorting out who got what...
Read Moreconnections on the book trail
I recently visited Judy Labrasca’s narrative book class at Maine College of Art, scene of the crime 9 years ago when I hatched my own Seven Days of Daisy. It’s a marvelous class, and I enjoy revisiting the space where stories begin. Judy always brings in lots of supplies, all organized in irresistible fashion. She also brings in loads of books for browsing when the mind draws a blank. Quite satisfying that mine are in the mix. Judy shares a ton of information, which might seem overwhelming, but becomes a backdrop to all the inspiration. She made small books for students to start...
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