Ferry catching with Island Readers & Writers

I’m back from another school tour with the intrepid organization, Island Readers & Writers. Visiting island schools is a marvel. They’re the heartbeat of island communities and the future of island sustainability. I came back to Peaks Island expanded by gifts large and small.

Drawings from students, fabric and fruit from friends, plus new books and kisses galore!            photo by Jamie Hogan

Ferry catching with Alison Johnson, Director of School Programs, kept us both on our toes! We met in Lincolnville last Sunday night at the Spouter Inn Bed & Breakfast, where the whale theme is strong. After dinner at the nearby Whale’s Tooth Pub, we walked to the ferry landing as the twilight set in. We departed Monday morning too early for the Inn’s famous breakfast, but they packed us a little feast while we greeted the morning from their porch.

Porch view from the Spouter Inn in Lincolnville, Maine                           photo by Jamie Hogan

We caught the 8 am boat to Islesboro, and I was surprised by how many students and teachers were heading out to school.

I learned there’s a Magnet Program for grades 6 through 12. The ride is about 20 minutes, similar to the trip to Peaks. One could spend that time in traffic elsewhere, but on Monday the seas were serene in Penobscot Bay.

Calm seas on the MV Margaret Chase Smith to Islesboro, Maine                        photo by Jamie Hogan

A school bus met the boat, and dropped us at the Islesboro Central School where Laura Read, Art Specialist, welcomed us. This poster in the hallway says it all!

Poster with the best quote at Islesboro Central School                photo by Jamie Hogan

Island Readers & Writers provide learning guides and copies of Skywatcher to teachers prior to my visit, and it’s super fun to see what students have created in advance, like these colorful constellation paintings.

Constellation art by Islesboro Central School students                photo by Jamie Hogan

We gathered in the Art Room, where I made a presentation to several grades, and answered questions. Then each group arrived for a drawing session.

Drawing with Becky Bolduc’s kindergarten and first graders at Islesboro Central School                     photo by Jamie Hogan

Working on black paper with chalk pastel can yield vibrant drawings and messy hands. There is a direct and tactile satisfaction blending colors and shapes. This small turtle swims bravely in a wide sea!

Student blending pastel                           photo by Jamie Hogan

The day was warm and lunch was outside, where Laura Read caught us up on island news.

Art teacher Laura Read at Islesboro Central School                      photo by Jamie Hogan

We met with the 2/3 class followed by 4/5/6 graders. Getting the proportions right on a critter as complex as this crustacean deserves applause!

Proud artist at Islesboro Central School         photo by Alison Johnson

I love the proportions and personality of this lively moose!

Drawing by Islesboro Central School student                             photo by Jamie Hogan

Thank you, Islesboro Central School for sharing your sharp-eyed students!

Alison and I took the ferry back to Lincolnville and stopped at the Camden Hills State Park for a peaceful hike.

Hiking at Camden Hills State Park                        photo by Jamie Hogan

After a night in Rockland, we caught the ferry Tuesday morning to Vinalhaven, a longer trip of an hour and fifteen minutes. But what a spectacular ride!

Sunrise on the ferry to Vinalhaven, Maine                 photo by Jamie Hogan

Librarian, teacher, and soccer coach, Robbie Brooker, gave us transport to the Vinalhaven School on the clearest of days.

Vinalhaven School        photo by Jamie Hogan

Principle Tara McKechnie introduced me in the auditorium where I had great questions from students. Q: Is it fun being an illustrator and author? A: Absolutely, especially when I get to visit an island school like yours! We settled in the library, a central hub filled with fantastic art.

The Vinalhaven School Library became the hub of drawing activity                      photo by Jamie Hogan

Finding a surprise Jamie’s grab bag                                   photo by Alison Johnson

I bring a collection of life-like animal toys for the purpose of observational drawing. It’s a stretch for most, but a worthy activity in slow looking, eyeballing of shapes, engaging fine motor skills, exploring materials, and also a great story starter!

Drawing focus at Vinalhaven School photo by Alison Johnson

Very patient details at Vinalhaven School          photo by Jamie Hogan

The best part: each student receives a signed copy of Skywatcher! Thank you, Island Readers & Writers!

Students enjoy receiving their own signed copy            photo by Alison Johnson

We had a break between classes so I went outside with my sketchbook. Here’s the Vinalhaven mascot that I spied on the scoreboard at one end of the field.

Sketchbook viking mascot by Jamie Hogan

Our last group of second graders shared a short story about what they drew. Thank you, Vinalhaven School, what bright stars you have!

Sharing time at Vinalhaven School                 photo by Jamie Hogan

Robbie delivered us to the Tidewater Motel, where you can’t get much closer to the water.

View from the Tidewater Motel on Vinalhaven                               photo by Jamie Hogan

Later Alison and I enjoyed a delicious potluck at second grade teacher Missy Anderson’s house. Her duck, Firecracker, greeted us in the yard. I inexplicably didn’t get any photos, but the sights and smells of Anderson Farm deserve a picture book of its own. Many thanks to this incredible group of educators and cooks!

Wednesday morning’s sky could be a pastel drawing.

Sunrise on Vinalhaven Island, Maine                        photo by Jamie Hogan

Robbie dropped Alison and I at the dock for a water taxi to North Haven. I am so grateful to these dear hosts!

IRW Director of School Programs Alison Johnson and Vinalhaven School Librarian, Robbie Brooker photo by Jamie Hogan

We crossed the Fox Islands Thorofare between Vinalhaven and North Haven in about five minutes, where author/illustrator Stephen Costanza met us. Hooooraaay! He’s a former colleague of mine at Maine College of Art & Design and though we are separated by oceans now, IRW brought together. Woot.

Steve Costanza and Alison Johnson on North Haven, Maine

I shared my Stardust and Sketching story in the main hallway of the North Haven Community School with the sounds of music coming from the gym. Groups of students drew from observation.

Drawing from observation at the North Haven Community School     photo by Alison Johnson

The ample natural light allowed one artist to draw the shadow of his moose. It’s the creation of shadows that

Tracing shadows

caused me to begin collecting small animal props. A convincing shadow from an object quickly conveys form and can also suggest a time of day, an element that becomes sequential in a story. I liked seeing the tracing, it could now be a distorted moose character in the making!

Drawing from shadows at the North Haven Community School              photo by Jamie Hogan

This work in progress shows how quickly line can become form with just the right touch of shading.

Line becomes form in this drawing by a NHCS artist                                     photo by Jamie Hogan

And look how she added a habitat for the octopus!

Young artist at NHCS                                       photo by Alison Johnson

Minke whale skeleton at North Haven Community School                  photo by Jamie Hogan

Whale skeletons abound at this school! This one washed up in Wooster Cove in the summer of 2016. Informational signage nearby detailed the work done by the community including Allied Whale at the College of the Atlantic. A necropsy was done and the bones were buried in a local sand pit. But a couple of years later, the bones were excavated by North Haven teachers and students. Yes, NHCS is also a magnet school offering an Offshore Program for grades 9 – 12. A science elective class, the Marine Mammal Articulation, applied and received grants to fund the articulation project. By late October of 2020, a timber frame pavilion was completed, with the whale’s skeleton on display. That is some epic expeditionary learning!

After the break, I met with grades 1 and 2. They asked if I had put eyes on the birch trees in Skywatcher on purpose. Why, yes, thanks for noticing! Have you noticed that birch trees are watching you?

Demo drawing by Jamie Hogan

I like the meteor showers in this elegant drawing of a caribou!

A caribou in a meteor shower, drawn by a NHCS student                     photo by Alison Johnson

Look, a budding astronaut like Skywatcher!

NHCS student draws a bear                                            photo by Jamie Hogan

Thanks, North Haven Community School! Your students shine in all the best ways.

Steve Costanza gave us lunch and a tour of his studio. He will be doing school visits with Island Readers & Writers soon for his latest brilliant book, Sole Man!

In Steve Costanza’s studio on North Haven                                photo by Jamie Hogan

We stopped at a pretty beach for a quick picnic of strawberries, cookies, and farewell hugs. Thanks, Steve!

Steve Costanza and Jamie Hogan on North Haven             photo by Alison Johnson

Alison and I boarded the ferry back to Rockland. Like Tamen in Skywatcher, I will carry these memories with me. You can call me Ferrycatcher, though. I caught 8 boats in 5 days.

Thanks to Island Readers & Writers and all the folks who support the mission of bringing excitement to literacy, engaging young readers with art and story. Thank you for reading here, and keep looking UP!

Card by Marty Braun with map of Fox Islands          photo by Jamie Hogan