sketchbooky
Back in the classroom at Maine College of Art, the senior illustration majors are drawing up a storm. Each was given a blank sketchbook at the end of last year, and asked to fill it during the summer. My first project this semester was for them to find some seed in there, and create a new piece. Illustrations are usually done via a series of sketchy steps. I wanted to see where we’d begin. Joe likes to create characters and imaginary places. He chose a purple guy named “Mikey” from his sketchbook. He decided to make it 3D, and photograph it. Joe’s got a great...
Read Moreculminating events
With the heady fragrance of lilacs in the air, the season of fruition is upon us. Everywhere, there are culminating events. I’ve been to several recently. Recognition is a wonderful thing, after lots of hard work. At King Middle School, the Windsor 7 class made a powerful presentation on their expedition called Small Acts of Courage. They interviewed local citizens on their personal involvement in the Civil Rights era. Each student delivered one piece of an amazing story about the struggle for equality with tremendous poise and clarity. Besides transcribing oral history, writing many,...
Read Morefriending
This little hermit crab appears in “Nest, Nook and Cranny” more than once and serves as today’s mascot…he reminds me of the song in my head: I get by with a little help from my friends. I can thank friend and former teacher at the Institute for Children’s Literature for a great opportunity: Kirby Larson interviewed the author, Susan Blackaby, and I on her blog. Read it here. I love when friends resurface from another chapter, a distant beach. Good friend, Kathy arrived on stormy seas to play catch-up in the world of art, elder care, and mothering. Former Peaks...
Read Morego figure
I just finished reading “The Undressed Art: Why We Draw” by Peter Steinhart for the third time. It’s a book about life drawing, the rituals found in drawing groups, the artists and models who participate. I reread it from time to time when I am teaching, because it reinforces all the facets of this driving urge to draw the figure. In an illustration class, the nude figure is less necessary. Drawing people in clothing or costume is also a great challenge, especially with elaborate folds and details. I encourage students to bring in props, anything that will add intrigue. And...
Read Morelessons in learning
Yesterday’s MLK holiday felt like a day off from a day off. Snowed in, with plans cancelled, it was time to pray and ponder. Having been in San Francisco during the big 1989 earthquake, it is still difficult to grasp what Haitians are enduring. Even on a good day, they face poverty and corruption. I decided to reread Phil Hoose’s book, “Claudette Colvin: Twice Towards Justice” which just won the Newbury Honor. Bravo to Phil, for bringing non-fiction to new heights. A brave Claudette Colvin tells it like it was, and often still is. My daughter was involved in a...
Read Moresnow day
Hello winter! I love being snug as a bug in my creaky house (with 6 fireplaces) watching a storm blow sideways outside. Today a snow day was called for Portland schools before a single flake had fallen at 5 AM. Now, though, the world is white and there is nowhere to go. Ahhhhh. I grew up in the White Mountains, so school cancellations are an oddity. In NH, snow means business: ski industry. I pretty much don’t remember snow days. But now they are quite the gift; to hibernate a bit. Gives me time to think about all the snowflakes I’ve sprinkled over illustrations, such as the one...
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