Wake up Alice!

I am thrilled to have this piece in the current exhibit now in the Lewis Gallery at the Portland Public Library, Wake Up Alice!

I love adding collage bits, and photographed cards for inserting into my drawing done with charcoal pencil and pastel on cut paper.

I’m pleased to see my fierce little Alice hanging among such esteemed company!

To the right, my former MECA student, Declan McCarthy, created a corner chock full of the entire adventure told in comic vignettes he drew on the wall. Here he is before his arm fell off.

To my Alice’s left is MECA faculty Judy Labrasca’s exquisite collage and ink drawing.

MECA alum Liz Long’s bold yet delicate painting shows Alice considering the infamous Drink Me bottle.

Current MECA senior illustration major, Taylor Mirabito, creates a lush garden environment for her curious Alice.

Her classmate, Abbie Masso, created a detailed diorama with pattern and shadow.

MECA alum, Taylor Grant, made a narrative book and lantern show called Dinah in Wonderland. This scene captures the wit and humor of her story.

We have Scott Nash, co-founder of the Illustration Department at Maine College of Art, to thank for this delightful homage in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the publication of Lewis Carroll’s classic, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.  Scott’s visionary efforts began two years ago and now culminates in a fantastic display of talents within the Illustration Department, celebrating it’s first decade. Besides curating the show, developing marketing visuals, and supervising the installation, Scott created this fetching meta-picture, a large ink drawing that is framed in four pieces, suggesting a window through which a too-big Alice peers.

Upon closer inspection, he has written texts with more drawings, echoing the grand Cheshire Cat he created for the show’s poster and banner.

Current Department Chair Mary Anne Lloyd created a stunning cat of bold stripes and manic contrasts.

Former MECA faculty Calef Brown’s cat is disembodied yet charming in a world of bright colors.

A fantastic display case also holds wonders such as this beaded cat, part of the collection of Deb Deatrick, member of the Lewis Carroll Society.

MECA faculty Alex Rheault’s “Journey of Madness” touches on the hallucinatory torment of Alice’s trip.

MECA faculty Michael Connor conjures a well of dramas in detailed pen and ink.

MECA faculty Daniel Minter’s “Serpent” is richly layered against a backdrop of tumbling figures.

MECA faculty Rob Sullivan’s painting in charcoal and oil on frosted Mylar pays homage to legendary illustrator J. C. Leyendecker.

Former MECA faculty Mike Gorman’s bold lines capture a badass Queen.

Former faculty Kevin Hawkes’ stage set panels invite the audience to enter.

As does this elaborately constructed tunnel book by MECA alum Emma McCabe.

MECA alum Kiah Gardner created a theatrical narrative within a miniature stage.

MECA alum Cecil Cates’ “Why Is A Raven Like a Writing Desk” is an earthenware balancing act featuring a snoozing Rabbit.

MECA alum Hana Firestone’s whimsical mixed media piece presents the White Rabbit in a mosaic of paper.

MECA alum Joe Rosshirt’s White Rabbit is caught in a rubbery dash of animated limbs.

There is SO MUCH MORE awesome work in this show! Don’t be late to see it! It’s on view through December 31. On First Friday, December 4, some artists in the show will be on hand selling prints, talking Jabberwocky, and drinking potions. I’ll be there in striped stockings.

But first I am off to the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art to see Mary Blair’s work with the senior Illustration MECA majors. She illustrated this Golden Book version which is among other vintage copies of Alice in Wonderland in the Lewis Gallery.

Time to fall down the rabbit hole!