good vibes

I am thrilled to have another illustration appear, the above, in the October issue of Maine Magazine. Genevieve Morgan's stories always conjure up lots of imagery, and I enjoy visualizing topics with depth, and in this case color!

I love working with them. I send a bunch of sketches, they always pick the best one, and off I go.
Here's a sneak peek at the one for November/December, about skin care, from the inside out. The premise is somewhat related to the above, in that our outward appearance benefits from good health at the cellular level. No matter the age, we are a gift, and the glow comes from within.

My rough sketch:

I have this behemoth book, with a spine measuring over six inches, published in 1915 titled
"Domestic Medical Practice." It has fantastic anatomical stuff, and I enlarged a portion of skin cells for a collage bit. Tried them in a variety of colors.

Here is the final illustration.

Meanwhile, the season is changing. I love the light at this time of year, and taking late afternoon walks with my daughter. She took this photo, and I like her manual viewfinder. It's all about noticing.

Low tide finds the return of this heron.

This reminds me: heading tomorrow to Cathryn Falwell's book launch for Gobble, Gobble! at  Audubon's. Stay sunny, please!

Look, it's a committee of cormorants, with one seagull.

It's also cruise season.  Saw the Queen Elizabeth docked over in Portland in very magical fog.

Fog is frequent visitor along the coast and a plot device in Ice Harbor Mittens. I met with author Robin Hansen and Curious City this week to discuss upcoming events. We'll be at the Portland Public Library on October 22. Come say hello!

 

I just finished reading two great books about sketching. Drawn In by Julia Rothman is a great collection of 44 contemporary sketchbooks. And an even broader, larger collection can be found in An Illustrated Life. I find inspiration in the visual roamings and drawing disciplines of others.

Being back in the classroom with my students keeps my pencil sharp. Here's a few recent sketches.

I noticed this old man reading in the ferry terminal, moving his finger across the page.

It's fun to draw people who actually aren't posing, because their movement makes for a drawing that is part observation, part cumulative memory.

Here's a teen, reading and listening.

Have you ever seen the Dark Follies? Caught this performer, the ringmaster, in Monument Square on a First Friday.

This is Stacy, who works at MECA. I've always envied her full-bodied hair, and sketched her in the library.

 

And here is my very own Marty, who celebrated a birthday recently. 

 

This means my own birthday is soon to follow. And my favorite month, October! I am happy that my off-hand sketching has yielded a JOB. Time to work on sketches for Storey, for a book about knitting.

Here's what the art director comped up. Sketchy chic...

Okay, enough stalling. Back to the drawing board. I'm up for good vibes.