a yarnish tale
We had our first snow the other night. Time to pull the woolly sweaters out of the trunk. I did the above sketch in early rounds for Cast On Cast Off by Leslie Ann Bestor, which Publisher’s Weekly just named one of the top lifestyle books of the year! Noting that “clear presentation distinguishes this reference guide that should be on the shelves of knitters who want to develop their craft and their own style” I am thrilled. My first sketches were too narrative, and eventually my illustrations play a suggestive role, indicating a knitwear piece at the beginning of each...
Read MoreSketchbook Project at SPACE Gallery
Hooray! The Sketchbook Project was back in town, at SPACE Gallery in Portland, Maine. We were so eager to hold our own sketchbook once again, like a long lost friend. The Milan-based collective Carnovsky provided a stunning backdrop, with a wallpaper display titled RGB, which paired well with my fresh Tattly tattoo. We had our eyes peeled for all things sketchy, and just stare at this Caronvsky bit long enough to be hypnotized: you….WILL….sketch… It had no effect on this viewer. Every book checked out gets multiple views though, with viewers sharing. This one was a...
Read MoreHAVNFUN
It figures that on a hot, hot day my comp copies of Cast On, Bind Off should arrive. Hooray! I did the illustrations for this book with beginnings and endings for all kinds of knitted projects way back when people really were wearing knitted things. I also found reference from a long ago photo of Tessa McGow, a talented MECA student with busy hands who posed during a drawing session. Shortly thereafter, my family traveled to Minneapolis for a wedding. Even with 102 degree weather, this says it all. The wedding of Kirsten and David took place at the American Swedish Institute, a unique...
Read Moreeverything’s related
Sometimes you notice how everything’s related. I’m closing out an entire week in my studio, with not one trip off-island. Splendid. Even though it’s nice to be done with the MECA semester, I’m enjoying working with an art student, Olwyn. She lives across the street. I’ve actually drawn almost everyone in her family, who’ve been handy models on many occasions. Her younger sister, Imogen, posed for a drawing in my 2011 Sketchbook Project. And here’s their little brother, who provides plenty of amusement, in the same sketchbook. Nikolai also posed for a...
Read Morelondon loop
We’re back from a blitz of a trip to London. From Darwin to Diana, the Beatles to the Bard, we covered a lot of ground, thanks to the Tube. Here’s a slice of our jolly good time. After wearily arriving at our hotel, we crashed for a few hours. Being right near Kensington Palace, we then had a lovely stroll through Hyde Park, past so much wide open green space and romping dogs, we felt restored. Especially by the Peter Pan statue. Nearby is the serene memorial for Princess Diana, where a rolling loop of flowing waters calmed our jet lag immensely. This sculpture by Simon Gudgeon...
Read Morebetween deadlines
I’m in that delicious place I call “between deadlines” during which I get a teeny bit more sleep, and fill my well. Recently, this meant spending more time in Portland, drinking in the vibe there and being inspired by art and artists. My illustration class enjoyed an engaging visit from Mike Gorman, who previously taught illustration at Maine College of Art. Now he does web design, and maintains a prolific freelance career. He shared his formative years working feverishly for multiple regional papers, as well as the process from preliminary sketches to final art for two...
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