Maine College of Art

MECA Fashion 2017

Posted by on May 12, 2017 in Drawing, Fashion Illustration, Illustration, Maine College of Art | 2 comments

May has been a complete mash-up of amazing events. I’m behind in all my documentation, but eager to share the wonders of Maine College of Art’s 5th Annual Fashion Show on May 4. Illustration Department Chair Mary Anne Lloyd was my date, and we enjoyed chatting with Textile and Fashion Design Adjunct Professor Jill McGowen before the show. The event took place in the ICA Gallery where Director of Exhibitions and Special Projects Erin Hutton rounded up the best crew with her signature magic. Program Coordinator for Continuing Studies Louise Tuski was the MC for the first fashion...

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What’s Up in IL 2?

Posted by on Apr 17, 2017 in Art Classes, Drawing, Illustration, Maine College of Art, Pastels, Peaks Island | 7 comments

Between illustration deadlines , I’ve been teaching Illustration 2 at Maine College of Art. This sophomore level elective is open to any student, and usually includes those interested in majoring in Illustration or Digital Media. There are two sections, and mine has 10 amazing people! While Illustration 1 involves an emphasis on black and white media, IL 206 focuses on color, concept development, and putting images into context, with a design layout provided. The first day of class students were presented with pastel pencils, colored paper and sand paper, and a grab bag of toy animals....

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Kick Off ’17

Posted by on Jan 9, 2017 in Art Classes, Book: Island Birthday, Book: Porcupine's Promenade, Children's Book Illustration, Drawing, Illustration, Maine College of Art, Pastels, Peaks Island, Portland Stage Company, School Visits | 4 comments

Everybody seemed eager to kick 2016 into history. Yeah, there were losses, that Election, hate, and plenty of things I want to forget. But a New Year…is a perennial place for hope. An earnest band of neighbors called the Get a Grip club gathered at our house on New Year’s Eve, armed with resolutions of change, good humor, and some hand-made glasses we will use for envisioning a better world. Rest assured, we will keep a grip on what matters! A few days later I visited King Middle School, a hive of young people poised to take over the world. It was my 9th outing as a visiting...

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Illustration, How Do I Love Thee!

Posted by on Dec 13, 2016 in Children's Book Illustration, Drawing, Illustration, Maine College of Art, Portland Public Library, Portland Stage Company, Travels | 0 comments

Illustration is literally all around right now. I just realized I’ve been doing it, living it, and breathing it non-stop for the last month. My talented kin, Mati McDonough, an artist, illustrator, and teacher visited Maine in November. She gave me a long, hard hug the day after The Election, the results of which were still sinking in. We went straight to the Portland Museum of Art, sure that art could lift our spirits. She signed her latest children’s book, How Do I Love Thee? an illustrative telling of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s poem.   We then browsed the Matisse show,...

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MECA mid-semester

Posted by on Nov 2, 2016 in Art Classes, Children's Book Illustration, Drawing, Illustration, Maine College of Art, Peaks Island, Portland Public Library | 1 comment

We are well over the hump of this semester in IL 321, where I lead an intrepid pack of 15 students in the Junior Illustration Majors Studio at Maine College of Art. I met them briefly last spring after they declared their major, and gave them sketchbooks to fill for the summer. I believe in the powers of daily drawing, and knew whatever they brought back to the table would provide seeds for insight and inspiration. And I’m always blown away. Tyler Eldridge is double majoring in Illustration and Graphic Design. Stand back! Some students had a tough time finding the space to draw, with...

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Pacers and pencils

Posted by on Oct 15, 2016 in Collage, Drawing, Illustration, Maine College of Art, Pastels, Travels | 2 comments

Maine College of Art’s Pace House is a legendary destination for alums and students. With great anticipation, I drove the MECA van with 7 of this year’s senior illustration majors and their fearless leader Mary Anne Lloyd under crisp October skies to Stonington, Maine. The house is full of art by Stephen Pace and his wife Palmina, whose hats hang in the front hall. Annelise and Gunnar wasted no time in embodying their kindred spirits. We made lunch and then scattered to scout out the local village and environs. I made a pie to bake later. Mary Anne put her lasagna in the oven,...

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