Illustration Parade

Illustration by Jamie Hogan

This summer has been a marvelous parade of illustration. What a life!

On August 14 Ricardo Siri, an Argentinian cartoonist known as Liniers, gave a talk for the Illustration Institute. Even a rainy day couldn’t keep the illo peeps away. He brought his adorable daughters up on the Lions Club stage to sing and warm up the crowd before his presentation.

He is well known in Latin America for his cartoon Macanudo which has recently been syndicated and will appear in the US. With the news in Argentina so often miserable, he aimed to feature a little bit of something positive every day. He said, “I steal from everyone,” and noted his characters are influenced by the many cartoonists he admires, from Art Spiegelman to Matt Groening to Bill Watterson.

He came to the US in August 2016 for a fellowship at the Center for Cartoon Studies. While at a toy store, he allowed his daughters to pick out a toy. One of them chose a little deer stuffie and named it Planet.  This sparked Ricardo’s comic involving a little girl, the deer, and a dude dog which became Good Night, Planet published by Toon Books.

He asked, “Do you want to know the secret to being a successful illustrator?” He then did a quick drawing. Pardon the blurry photo, he is a whirling rogue.

Then he drew the secret.

Indeed, the New Yorker logo on one’s illustration makes it a success! He discussed some of the background revisions necessary on some New Yorker cover ideas. His final advice: marry a lawyer!

A few seats away sat the unassuming islander, John Faison, whose two cottages provide the haven of  residencies for all these visiting talents. Here’s my sketch.

Sketch by Jamie Hogan

After Ricardo’s talk the crowd mingled in the mist. Portland illustrators Melissa Sweet and Leticia Plate enjoyed the salty air.

Just a couple of days later, Melissa gathered the children’s book community at her new home on Munjoy Hill. Here’s my sunny island neighbor, Anne Sibley O’Brien, ready to sip the flavor of summer.

Illustration is a solitary pursuit, but when we convene, colors fly.

Author illustrator Cathryn Falwell with co-host Kirsten Cappy

New Mainer Maryann Cocca-Leffler with host Melissa Sweet

Many in attendance shared their latest titles and left books for donating to local readers.

On August 18, we headed to Camden for the 13th Annual Book Fair-By-The-Sea.

We stopped in Waldoboro to find Marty’s art at the Clynk redemption center next to Hannaford’s.

Librarian Amy Hand invited a handful of children’s book creators to read and present in the light-filled Camden Public Library.

Author Jodi Parachini presents her book Half a Giraffe.  Photo by Amy Hand

During my turn, I drew a loopy mermaid and read Ana and the Sea Star.

Photo by Marty Braun

I handed out my book dummies and sketchbooks, which brings questions about process.

Photo by Marty Braun

The best part is engaging with young readers. This girl spun my Ana game and we pretended to be hermit crabs.

Back row: Tamra Wight, Russ Cox, Ann and John Hassett, Jamie Hogan. Front row: Librarian Amy Hand and Jodi Panachini. Photo by Marty Braun

Between book talk and signing, I drew a dreamy deer.

Sketch by Jamie Hogan

It’s a colorful metaphor of the illustrator life, a bit wild, a bit magical.

Soon we are off to Baltimore with our art student, whose summer is coming too swiftly to a close.

Want to join me on August 29 when illustrator legend Peter Sis makes a presentation for the Illustration Institute, just down the hill from my house? Please, come on out. Bring your sharp eyes and sharp pencils!