Illustration Feast

Thanks to the Illustration Institute, my summer is off to a bountiful beginning.

A little jet-lagged from our Ireland travels, we still made it to the first lecture on June 24 by Chris Raschka who was a Faison resident two summers ago. This time he shared wisdom on keeping travel journals, such a timely topic! His hand-lettered agenda covered all the bases at the Portland Public Library’s event.

He discussed the need to work fast, as travel companions may not want to linger for the long looking that sketching or painting requires. With a pot of ink in his pocket, he captures moments quickly on site, then adds watercolor later, tapping layers of memory.

To strengthen his recall, he began drawing his dreams. Transforming nightly visions to paper proved a big challenge and after awhile he returned to drawing from observation, attending sketch nights at the Society of Illustrators. He began experimenting with size, making tiny drawings, and also mapping his walks where he lives in New York City. Now Chris has filled over 100 journals, some handmade, many are Moleskin watercolor journals. He recommends brush pens, drawing what you want to remember, limiting your time, drawing from memory and finishing later. So inspiring!

The next Illustration Institute presenter was Mark Ulriksen, who I met back in the mid-eighties when he was a budding designer. Here he is in San Franscico in 1986.

Fast forward a few decades when we met up at the Jewel Box on Peaks Island for a cocktail reception hosted for Mark and his wife, Leslie Flores, by their California friends, Deb and George Montgomery.

The following day Mark’s whole posse stopped in.

Kevin, Chip, Jim, Marty, Leslie, Mark, and Margo on Peaks Island

On July 1 at the Portland Public Library, Mark gave a fantastic presentation. Since leaving the design field, he has forged a successful career in freelance illustration, including appearing on over 60 covers of the New Yorker.

He shared his inspirations, which come largely from favorite films, jazz music, baseball, and a passion for politics. He discussed his methods, showing the stages of rough sketches, and behind the scenes anecdotes from working with the New Yorker.

On July 3, Katie Yamasaki made a stellar presentation about her journey from studying social work, to painting collaborative murals, to illustrating children’s books.

After getting her Masters in Fine Art from the School of Visual Arts, she painted a small mural in a local library. This led to large outdoor mural projects in her NY neighborhood and all over the world, in Mexico, Cuba, Japan, and elsewhere. The public art programs she’s led have had tremendous impact on the collaborators involved, from teens at risk to incarcerated women, and among the local audiences who begin conversations about the art.

Later that week, we gathered on the rocks with Mark’s friends.

Back at the Faison Guest House, a feast was shared. Thanks to Kevin Cahill and Chip Lenno for the delicious salmonkopita. Yum.

photo by Chip Lenno

Pie by me.

On July 10, Ellen Weinstein gave a lecture at Maine College of Art.

An award-winning illustrator and educator, Ellen shared her love of research and creating thoughtful concepts that intrigue the viewer. This one appeared originally in the Village Voice but on the strength of it’s relevant idea, has run in numerous other publications.

She pitches ideas to clients and works “90% analog” in gouache, with some digital adjustments for final art. A self-professed science nerd, she keeps regular hours and punctuates her studio time with walking her adorable dog. When asked about how to get started, she replied “Get resilient. Rejections happen to everyone!”

I am so grateful for this feast of illustration! And there’s MORE.

On Monday, July 15, Neela Vaswami will speak at 6:30 PM at the Fifth Maine Museum on Peaks Island. I hope to see you there! Check out the schedule here, there is sure to be a presentation of interest. Illustration casts a very wide net with spirited stories and visual surprises.