Zippity zines

Ha! I’ve been called the Patron Saint of Zines, and I won’t argue. I’ve been an advocate of the power of these little vessels of voice and visuals for ages. A zine is any small edition of narrative nuggets that can be drawn, collaged, typed, or stamped. The book I am holding above is the best manual for all the history, techniques, and tips for making your mini-magazine of any idea at all.

I gave a zine assignment nearly every semester I taught at Maine College of Art & Design. They are a great icebreaker, a handy way to see where a student is at with their skills in visual communication, and everyone gets a copy to keep. I have a beloved collection of zines which I’ve added to over the years by buying at zinefests, comic cons, and indie bookstores.

On July 12 I did a drop-in workshop in the Portland Public Library’s Teen Library for the Illustration Institute. The theme was Graphic Medicine, a fitting topic during our ongoing global health crisis. I was welcomed by Teen Librarian, Kelley Blue, and also their Artist-in-Residence, Kelly Ledsworth. My island neighbor, Heather Wasklewicz also stopped in to document the action.

I brought some zines from my stash, in various formats and relevant topics.

I quickly demonstrated the folding technique for a one-page format that is practical for a short two-hour workshop. This one, Wise Wild Life, is by former MECA student, Zoe Reifsnyder.

Kelly is getting their degree in Arts Education at USM, and had painted this cool piece on display. They are leading a Cyanotype workshop on Peaks next week, which I am not gonna miss!

While talking and drawing, ideas take shape.

Sharp eyes, sharp pencils:)

This teen zine maker had the BEST shirt ever.

Old graphic novels, glue sticks, scissors, collage papers, rubber stamps…are all tools for zippety zines.

My zine was titled Under Pressure. Can anybody relate?? I made copies for everyone to take home.

Thank you, Teen Library and Illustration Institute for the space to inform and inspire with zines!

On June 29, I led a zine making workshop for the Merry Barn in Edgecomb, Maine as a visiting artist in their Celebrating Mother Earth writing camp. It was a younger group, but just as mighty. I joined them as they were covering their journals and I knew I was in the right place because…pom poms!

I brought animal toys and nature objects as prompts. Everyone had a unique message and got right down to it. Natalie is an aspiring poet, and composed haikus about nature.

Leo is all about axolotls and took his time practicing his lettering for the cover. I always do rough sketches first, too!

This zine maker is into horses.

Margaret wrote a very haunting story about a dead ocean, and a single tear saved it.

Merry Barn’s founder, Stephanie McSherry, created a zine about all her ocean memories.

A camp helper drew a story board first for a zine titled, Things That Bring Me Joy.

One camper joined us via zoom, and made a collage of animal characters.

My zine, Remember the Merry Barn, featured an elephant inside remembering Mother Earth.

If you’d like to try your hand at making a zine, I have step by step instructions here, from my book, Skywatcher.

I am delighted to be in Seeds of Light, a group exhibition at Zero Station in Portland that opens on July 23, 5 – 8 pm. I hope to see you there!