Tis the Season

Did those early snowstorms jump start your holiday spirits?

They did mine! I kept thinking about that time I tapped my inner deer…

and worked out an illustration for this year’s holiday card. This Deer Spirit is a cross between Ba from Hans Christian Andersen’s Snow Queen and a sister in Babette’s Feast by Isak Dinesen. On a starry solstice night, our wild selves shine on, with some cut paper snowflakes for good measure.

Shortly after I sent off my image file to be printed, we gathered for an intimate Thanksgiving here on Peaks, where the temps hovered around 4 degrees. We had pies to keep us warm!

I don’t relish the advertising bombardment of Black Friday, but was happy to visit Take a Peak on Small Business Saturday for a book signing of Ana and the Sea Star.

I enjoyed catching up with island neighbors and even a couple of usual suspects!

Charles and Daisy, island kids who appear in Seven Days of Daisy 

I headed back into Maine College of Art’s Illustration Department to talk thesis projects with the class of 2019. I miss those illo ninjas! My cuppa cappuccino was sweet reward plus a good sketching prompt.

Program Chair Mary Anne Lloyd steers a great ship of magical minds, AND there are sharp pencils, too!

For Giving Tuesday, I launched an updated Etsy shop announcement: through December 10 I am donating 10% of my shop sales to the American Red Cross. As a blood donor, I am well aware of the need due to so many natural disasters nation wide. C’mon, you have 4 days left to give art and support others!

I also donated books and art to a Casco Bay High fundraiser, the Children’s Nursery School, and the Brackett Memorial’s annual Silent Auction this weekend. Tis the season!

Boom! It is December already, which called for some Blue Bunny good luck in my sketchbook.

I hopped over to Jones Landing for the annual Loretta Voyer Craft Fair, which raises funds for islanders’ car ferry tickets when they are in need of cancer treatments.

I somehow scored a sunny corner with the best view ever.

I saw island neighbors and familiar vendors that filled my soul to the brim!

Kathy Newell’s posts on Instagram start my day with a smile. I was right across from her bounty of crafts and photo prints.

Nearby my dear friend, Peg Astarita, warmed everyone with her lovely ceramics.

Kat Farrin’s colorful painting is her meditation.

Rose Ann Walsh, island librarian, stopped by to visit. She’s got a ’19 Lunar Calendar postcard to show off.

I’m blessed to be in such an artful and generous community!

Fun to see A Porcupine’s Promenade which I illustrated on display at the Peaks Branch next to Scott Kelley’s debut book.

Lately, wherever I go on the island, I encounter the geese squad. Have you? A wild reminder that we birds of a feather flock together.

The snow has receded but our lights are up. As we head into the frenzy of the holidays, I hope to see you, or send you a card, or share a celebration. Tis the season!