Science rocks

Wow!

A WARMER WORLD is on the National Science Teachers Association Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12: 2013 list!

AND it’s on the 2013 Elementary California Collection list!

Cool stuff for a warmish book.

I'm eager to see a new film, Chasing Ice. Even diehard skeptics of global warming are getting the picture. It's a documentary from the Extreme Ice Survey and sure to send chills down anyone's spine.

a yarnish tale

We had our first snow the other night. Time to pull the woolly sweaters out of the trunk. I did the above sketch in early rounds for Cast On Cast Off by Leslie Ann Bestor, which Publisher's Weekly  just named one of the top lifestyle books of the year! Noting that "clear presentation distinguishes this reference guide that should be on the shelves of knitters who want to develop their craft and their own style" I am thrilled.

My first sketches were too narrative, and eventually my illustrations play a suggestive role, indicating a knitwear piece at the beginning of each section that is organized by specific stitches with detailed photography. I worked with the super stylin' Mary Velgos, who directed me through an elegant simplification for final art.

I wanted my figures to be doing something, rather than fashion poses. Marty became the salty fisherman reference for the section on Stretchy Cast Ons, modeling a Channel Island sweater.
That's my Grampy Hogan's hand-carved buoy from Nova Scotia.

First sketch round:

The illustrations became black and white with a single color that connected to each section.

My daughter posed with her signature mismatched knee socks.

First round sketch:

Final illustration:

Each illustration was merged over a page from an oatmeal paper sketchbook I have. Storey wanted 
a hands-on reference guide, small and portable for the knitter on the move. Here's a spread from the book:

So if you're ready to knit yourself some elegant beginnings and endings, this is a must-have.

Speaking of sketchbooks, I have cool news. The Art House Coop chose my sketchbook out of 22,000 to go on a mobile tour with 999 others! Curated by Colossal, this small batch is heading to the mid-west to spread the love of sketching in a custom-made library trailer. If you can't check out the tour, you can see my sketchbook here.

The Sketchbook Project has been a fun catalyst for seed ideas and just having fun. I've started my 2013 Sketchbook with this drawing of a favorite spot in Portland, Bresca.

Anybody curious about my fetching model?

Oh, more good news bits: A Warmer World received a great recommendation from Library Media Collection! Let's hope climate change is an acceptable topic now. Here it is:

For the record, I don't use acrylics. I work in pastel. Thanks to the librarian reviewers! I think I'll go throw on a sweater and get back to drawing.

Stay warm, peeps!

Halloween Peaks Island style

I've been getting into an eery mood watching my middle school crush. Sketched this from an episode of The Best of Dark Shadows. Despite the vintage production values, the show remains creepy as ever.

Only two pumpkins survived the warm, wet weather in order to be carved.

Our trick or treater scopes out the moonrise before setting out.

We stopped in at the Gem Gallery early on.

It's a tradition to see what Witch Kristen has to offer.

After avoiding the haunted house at the Lions Club, but scoring an apple, we were drawn to our final destination, best saved for last: the Nash house. Scott and Nancy Nash, along with a royal troop of rogues, install an annual performance piece in their yard. Every year, they outdo themselves.

This year they created a brilliant parody of that Maine icon, the lobster shack.

Greeted by Roe, we were invited to have some LIVE BOILED.

 

Only a crew of illustrators and designers could bring this much dedication to detail. Time to order!

 

Nancy was the ever cheerful greeter at the Take Out window. Tater Tots, please!

Other patrons had plenty to chew.

You could also take home other delicacies.

Way more appetizing than mere candy!

We could watch the kitchen action, too.

The Eleanor du Jour kept trying to pop out of the pot, though.

Finally, our order was served by the friendly staff.

In fact, all the staff was extremely HOT.

Here a pair of lobsters head back for more.

Halloween Peaks Island style is like no other!

MECA mid-term musings

Things are busy in my junior illustration majors studio course at Maine College of Art. Students recently completed illustrating a rituals theme, with solutions ranging from an annual naked bike ride in Philadelphia, to Burning Man, to the piece below by Kiah Gardner, which fits today's mood in a fetching way.

Kiah's interest in fiber relief was renewed by a recent visit from Salley Mavor, who gave a fantastic lecture about her professional journey and working methods in early October. She brought original pieces of her unique fiber relief illustrations.

While students are working up ideas on any given project, we also do in-class studies. I borrowed a stash of interesting objects from my neighbor and fellow illustrator Doug Smith. Kiah drew some, and then started felting.

Doug's father, Dick Smith, is a legend in the make-up world. Doug loaned this life mask of his mother, which Maria Antuna painted.

I'm an advocate of working from life, more to sharpen observation skills than to render realistically. Each student brought their own signature to their studies. This gouache painting below is by Chris Vales.

An earlier project, "Flannel, Fiber, Fur" involved fashion illustration, in which students were called to interpret the Maine fashion scene. To get into the mood, Julie Smith, a MECA staffer in academic advising, modeled with her agreeable dog, Dexter.

It's a terrific challenge to draw animals, and the class captured Dexter's personality in quick sketches, as in this drawing by Liz Long.

Several of the final illustrations highlighted not dogs but lobsters. This lobster lass by Chelsea Canny shows a keen sense of style.

David Snider designed upscale fashions for lobstermen.

Molly Steinmetz created a frisky lobster claw bustier with fishnet leggings for her curvy model.

Declan McCarthy went for the fur, with his parody of fashion, in which a Maine black bear sports a fishy knit while eating out.

Miles Cook emphasized the flannel in his illustration.

Earlier in the semester, students tackled the campaign, creating posters for display as part of MECA's Public Engagement project, Provoke the Vote.

Maria Antuna merged two originals and added a graphic slogan.

Liz Long illustrated Mitt Romney wearing a dunce cap made of money.

Molly Steinmetz illustrated a young voter with in-your-face attitude.

Got freedom? Go VOTE!

autumn attitude

So what does an illustrator do between deadlines? Celebrate!

I started with birthday cake for breakfast, before it was light out. Icing and coffee: so good together.

Getting cool cards like this one from Marty is always a gift.

And to get tickets to a Cirque du Soleil performance, whew.  My daughter and I were thrilled!

C'est tres bien to share a birthday with a soul sistah like Nicole d'Entremont, neighbor, friend, author, and teacher. Here we are wishing big things. Thanks, Eleanor Morse, for hosting!

I cured my hankering for mountains with a visit to the motherland of orange trees.

The Flume is nothing short of spectacular. Have you ever been? It's a favorite spot of mine since childhood. All that granite is very grounding.

 

 I swooned with nostalgia in the Visitor Center, chock full of Old Man memorabilia.

A stop at Indian Head brought me back, scene of my days as a waitress in school. Daisy liked the teepee.

Yet the biggest surprise was waiting upon return. Hooray! My advance copies of Here Come the Humpbacks!

 

This non-fiction picture book about the journey of a humpback and her calf will be out Feb. 1, 2013.

Meanwhile, I've been working up this little zine for mailing. 

Let me know if you want one. I'm going back to celebrating my autumn attitude. 

This quote by L.M. Montgomery, a Canadian author best known for a series of novels beginning with Anne of Green Gables, says it all:

"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers."