Skywatchers Downeast

These have been heavy times, for Maine and for the world. I hope you’re holding on OK, dear readers. The natural world has been a tremendous solace. It’s a privilege to find sanctuary there.

Jamie Hogan at the Waterville Story Walk of Skywatcher                                photo © Marty Braun

It lifted my spirits to see my book, Skywatcher, featured in Waterville’s Story Walk along the Messalonskee Stream. Serena at Waterville Creates, Miss Liz at the Waterville Public Library, and Amarinda at the Children’s Discovery Museum combined talents to create the catchy text that accompanies the book pages. It was a much needed exhale, to stroll along outdoors and read my book in the context of flowing water and falling leaves. Thank you, Waterville.

On November 6, I headed way Downeast to Dennysville for a school visit swing with Island Readers & Writers, an incredibly passionate organization that “brings book-centered educational experiences to children, grades Pre-K-8, living on Maine’s coastal islands and in remote communities in Washington County. These experiences are designed to stretch imaginations, encourage curiosity, develop creative and reflective thinking skills, and expand perspectives through hands-on learning in natural history, science, literature, writing, and art.” 

YES! Hands on. Count me IN.

After a four hour drive northeast of Portland, I was warmly greeted by Ann Luginbuhl, a retired teacher from the nearby Charlotte Elementary School where I visited the following day. She hosted me and IRW’s Alison Johnson and Lisa Herrington, who guided me through the next days from auditorium to classroom after classroom. How lucky am I?!

On November 7 at Charlotte Elementary, I was joined by Sarah Raymond-Boyan from the Challenger Learning Center, who brilliantly covered the topic of light pollution following my talk about book development and the illustrations for Skywatcher.

Every student received a signed copy!

Students at Charlotte Elementary      photo ©Jamie Hogan

Sarah showed how our map of the United States glitters with brightness as seen from space.

Sarah Raymond-Boyan from the Challenger Learning Center at Charlotte Elementary School                    photo ©Jamie Hogan

After our presentations, the students split up to work directly with each of us. Sarah challenged students to engineer a shade that would lessen the light pollution of a small lamp, using a light meter to measure the results.

Using a light meter at Charlotte Elementary                                                                          photo © Jamie Hogan

Meanwhile I did observational drawing with the other group. The naked eye is a powerful tool in astronomy and art, for eyeballing measurements, proportions, patterns, and placement. Students picked from life-like toys of animals plus actual nature objects and experimented with my pastel pencils. I’m always amazed by what details young artists notice, how they instinctively use materials, find marks for texture, and compose their drawings.

Drawing by Cora, Charlotte Elementary                            photo © Jamie Hogan

The younger kids also colored star party masks, like Brooklynne, whose use of primary colors is quite striking. Super owl wisdom at your service!

Charlotte Elementary student, Brooklynne in her Skywather star party mask        photo @Jamie Hogan

After school, we drove to nearby Lubec. I do love a good hand painted sign.

Sign in Lubec, Maine                                                                                                      photo © Jamie Hogan

There was a mighty blow at the West Quoddy Lighthouse, the most eastern point in the contiguous US, and I sketched it later from my photo.

sketch of West Quoddy Lighthouse                              © Jamie Hogan

On November 8, we visited the Sipayik Elementary School at Pleasant Point. What a beautiful school.

Sipayik Elementary School, Pleasant Point, Maine                            photo © Jamie Hogan

The halls were bursting with art inspired by the night sky!

Sarah and Jamie at Sipayik Elementary                                                    photo © Alison Johnson

After an all school presentation in the gymnasium, we visited classrooms where eager students were ready to draw with sharp eyes and sharp pencils.

Sipayik students ready to draw                                                                                photo © Lisa Herrington

Turtles suffer from light pollution; upon hatching and searching for the sea, they become disoriented. The urgency of these bold marks and colors suggests that drama.

Pastel drawing at Sipayik Elementary                              photo © Jamie Hogan

Students had already done some impressive constellation drawings like this one!

Drawing by Evelyn, Sipayik Elementary                            photo © Jamie Hogan

Students teamed up to work on their light blocking solution.

Sipayik students learn about light pollution, hands on                  photo © Jamie Hogan

Many thanks to Ann Cannizzaro, Sipayik School Coordinator, Alison Johnson and Lisa Herrington of Island Readers & Writers, and Sarah Raymond from the Challenger Learning Center for all the support.

A stellar school team!                                                                              photo ©Jamie Hogan

After school, we toured Eastport where you can’t miss this salty guy.

Eastport, Maine                                                       photo ©Alison Johnson

Snow was in the forecast. Yet during the night I saw a gorgeous waning crescent moon glittering next to Venus.

I drew my memory of it upon return to my studio.

pastel of November moon with Venus                                       © Jamie Hogan

The views from Ann’s house were always changing, ever stunning.

Sunrise view from Ann’s                                                            photo © Jamie Hogan

On November 9, we found a colorful welcome at Pembroke Elementary.

My name in lights at Pembroke Elementary:)

The whole school had prepared various projects for display. Teachers, IRW has a fantastic Educator Guide here.

Student art at Pembroke Elementary                           photo © Jamie Hogan

It’s beyond gratifying to see all the art inspired by Skywatcher. Look at this Eagle Pride!

Art by Pembroke Elementary students                                       photo © Jamie Hogan

Have I ever met a drawing of a loon that I did not love? Nope. The confident simplicity here is so direct!

Loon drawing by Pembroke Elementary student                                             photo © Jamie Hogan

When drawing anything at all, one’s point of view is key. Choices must be made, angles determined. Sometimes it helps to have a handy hand holding your humpback.

Drawing from nature never gets old.                      photo © Jamie Hogan

Some of the older students drew imagined constellations with myths to go with them, like this Winter Moose by Hailey. In her narrative, the constellation has been put into the stars by a girl accused of being a witch.

Drawing of the Winter Moose constellation by Hailey Brown at Pembroke Elementary        photo © Jamie Hogan

In another classroom, lo and behold: ZINES! Yes, small informational nuggets about wildlife. Bravo!

Zines created by Beckery Renaud’s class at Pembroke Elementary        photo © Jamie Hogan

After school, we rested up for the Star Party at 6 pm, rain or shine. A dusting of snow arrived but nothing could stop us from the celebration to come! Kelsey Buckley from IRW manned the zine making station where kids could tell their own star story.

Kelsey Buckley of IRW gets the zines going at the Pembroke Star Party          photo © Jamie Hogan

Jim Tyson from the Challenger Learning Center set up a constellation making station near the Shadow Puppet station.

Jim Tyson from the Challenger Learning Center                   photo © Jamie Hogan

Teachers had installed drawings from the classroom sessions, a bounty of blue pages featuring goats to puffins to moose.

Drawings by Pembroke students at the Star Party                                         photo © Jamie Hogan

Alison even brought a tent for story time inside!

A tent for stories                                                      photo © Jamie Hogan

Teachers were all in, serving Moon Pies and hot chocolate.

Moon Pies and hot chocolate served by Haley Bradbury, teacher at Pembroke Elementary            photo © Jamie Hogan

I made friends with so many Skywatchers! Thank you, Pembroke Elementary for your stellar enthusiasm and dedication to learning.

Skywatchers at Pembroke Elementary’s Star Party                            photo © Jamie Hogan

On November 10, I walked with Ann through the Cobscook Bay State Park. 

Just what I needed before the long drive back to Portland. We had the evergreens and dappled coves all to ourselves, raw beauty that lifted my soul.

Ann in Cobscook Bay State Park                 photo © Jamie Hogan

Thank you, dear readers, for coming along on this stroll through the stardust that we carry. Thanks to Tilbury House, Island Readers & Writers, and all the sparkling students and teachers at Charlotte, Sipayik, and Pembroke schools. Keep looking up!