IRW graphic
I was delighted to visit three schools this past week at the invitation of Island Readers & Writers, a wonderful non-profit literacy organization centered in Mount Desert Island!
On St. Patrick’s Day I drove three hours down east to Birch Harbor where this sign greeted me.
photo © Jamie Hogan of sign in Birch Harbor, Maine
After a warm welcome from Alison Johnson, the IRW school coordinator, at their wonderful farm house, a rainbow showed up. A lucky sign!
photo © Jamie Hogan Rainbow view from the Johnson farmhouse in Birch Harbor
Their frisky dog, Pip, inspired this sketch.
© Jamie Hogan sketch of Pip
On Monday, March 18, we arrived at the Ella Lewis School in Stueben, Maine. After reading Skywatcher to a group of Pre-K students, I gave a talk in the gym to all students. I talked about what inspired me to write the book, and shared the process of developing the story with multiple book dummies. Following that, I met with each class.
I answered questions and demonstrated my drawing methods with a quick sketch of Tamen from the book.
photo © Alison Johnson Jamie Hogan draws for students at the Ella Lewis School
I brought my collection of small life-like animal toys.
Lisa Herrington, Program Assistant, let students reach into my grab bag of surprises. No peeking!
photo © Jamie Hogan Picking drawing props at Ella Lewis School
Students were given paper and pastels to begin their observational drawing.
photo © Jamie Hogan Drawing from observation at Ella Lewis School
I invited them to add an environment for their animal and any details they wished. This artist drew the large tree first, and then perched her eagle on the branch. A striking solution!
photo © Jamie Hogan drawing by Ellie at the Ella Lewis School
One feature of an IRW visit: every student receives their own signed copy of my book!
photo ©Jamie Hogan Students at Ella Lewis School find constellations in their copy of Skywatcher
I love this moment!
photo ©Alison Johnson Student reading Skywatcher at the Ella Lewis School
After school, Alison picked up Pip and gave me a breathtaking tour of the Schoodic Peninsula.
photo © Jamie Hogan Alison and Pip, walking the granite headland in Acadia National Park
On Tuesday, March 19, we headed to Trenton Elementary School. Here be wolves! Arrroooooooh!
photo © Jamie Hogan Trenton Elementary School, Maine
We followed the same agenda, reading aloud to the PreK students followed by a presentation in the gym, and then sessions with each class in the library. I began by drawing a wolf, of course!
photo ©Jamie Hogan quick sketch of a wolf
I love witnessing how young artists begin. Any way is a good way!
photo © Jamie Hogan This artist began with the horse’s spots!
How about this awesome caribou under a crescent moon?
photo ©Jamie Hogan of student drawing at Trenton Elementary
I love the energy and mark making of this eagle drawing.
photo © Jamie Hogan Drawing of eagle at Trenton Elementary
Many students did multiple drawings. This one wore her stars!
photo © Jamie Hogan Student drawing at Trenton Elementary
This student was super into drawing the whale, and so proud of his efforts. Shine on!
photo © Jamie Hogan Boy very proud of his drawing of a humpback whale at Trenton Elementary
At the end of a very busy day engaging with students with sharp eyes, I headed to Blue Hill. First stop: the lovely Blue Hill Books, where a nook like this was so inviting.
Photo © Jamie Hogan a warm nook at Blue Hill Books
After I checked into my sweet room at the Barncastle Hotel, I headed to the trailhead on Mountain Rd.
Man, what a view!
photo © Jamie Hogan View from Blue Hill Mountain, Maine
I slept well and on March 20, I drove to Deer Isle in a little snow squall. What?! There’s nothing like the Deer Isle Bridge, though. Once you cross that, there’s a winding causeway that was submerged not long ago in the January storms that ravaged the Maine coast.
photo © Jamie Hogan view of road to Deer Isle
I was eager to be at an island school. A much bigger island than Peaks, mind you. A mighty island, in fact! The Deer Isle Stonington Elementary School is full to the brim with art, both commissioned and by students. They have a big theater space where I presented to several grades.
photo © Jamie Hogan Deer Isle Stonington Elementary School, Maine
I met classes in the library. Many thanks to Alison and Lisa, and the teachers in charge, who kept the noise level to a dull roar:)
photo © Jamie Hogan Deer Isle Stonington Elementary’s library
I drew a humpback whale, in honor of the Mariners, and invited students to add some details to its environment.
photo © Jamie Hogan Deer Isle Stonington Elementary student adds to my drawing
Don’t you love the strong proportions and textures of this drawing of a goat?
photo © Jamie Hogan Drawing by Deer Isle Stonington Elementary student
This artist added some narrative context for her drawing of a raccoon.
photo © Jamie Hogan Drawing by Deer Isle Stonington Elementary student
This artist had a lot to say about orca whales and the damage some have done recently to boats. Drawing is thinking, visual commentary, and story all in one.
photo © Jamie Hogan Drawing by Deer Isle Stonington Elementary student
I realize it’s a big ask, for students to draw from observation. Many of them balked: this is HARD! Yes, it can be challenging to draw from life. Yet before the internet, before photography, drawing was standard practice in education and science. It takes slow looking. It takes starting over sometimes. I make the point over and over that I draw OVER AND OVER. I find drawing an absorbing practice. It can calm me. It’s not about perfection or glory. It’s about discovery every time. I am so proud of all these students, willing to draw with me!
photo © Alison Johnson Isla shares her drawing at the Deer Isle Stonington Elementary School
I am deeply grateful for these encounters. I have yet to meet a drawing I didn’t love. Thank you to Island Readers & Writers for this chance to connect story with drawing, visual vocabulary with vigor and all in the stellar landscape that is Maine. Thank you for reading!
Visit JamieHogan.com
