breezy book spree

I've been riding the waves lately with a trio of book outings, three days in a row. On Saturday we zoomed past the ferry on our way to Diamond Cove on the water taxi. Marty's likin' it!

I was the third and final speaker in the Fort McKinley Museum Summer Lecture Series on Great Diamond Island. Built in the 1890's as a defense for Portland Harbor, the fort is now a private residential community. Our hosts, Richard and Jane Cullen, gave us a tour by golf cart. Peaks Island has similar batteries like this, but not as old as this: 1899!

We stopped at the Fort McKinley Museum for a glimpse of the rich collection of artifacts.

Enjoyed a quick bite at the General Store, where hand-painted chairs welcomed us.

 

The presentation was held in the Diamond Cove Bowling Alley, a great gathering spot.

My house on Peaks Island is just up from the shore that faces the Diamond Islands, so I began with one of many pastels I've created from these views. Having gazed at these islands fondly for 20 years, it was a delight to actually BE there, among new friends.

 

I shared some personal history, traced the process of my books, and offered a peek at the next one, due out in 2013.

 The best part is always meeting kids! They each have a unique island story of their own.

Later, over dessert,  I saw Jane's lovely collection of hearts. Ah, a kindred beachcomber.

Thank you, Cullens, and friends of the Fort McKinley Museum for loving books, islands, and the gems we call home.

The following day, Sunday, I signed books at Take a Peak, a little shop on Peaks next to the ice cream store.

I sketched Caitlin, granddaughter of island librarian, Rose Ann Walsh, who helped me locate a lobster boat for Ice Harbor Mittens. She colored in her name on the drawing. Nice to have such cute company!

She and Daisy (now 15!) enjoyed a tea party, just like in the book.

Thanks to Eddie Walsh for loaning a swell vessel for imagined journeys.

On Monday, I was off to Bright Horizons in Portland, past Fort Gorges, seen here in my pastel, "Regatta."

My amazing niece, Cristel Sanborn, teaches the preschool 3 class. I visited three classes, beginning with the youngest, ages 2 - 3, reading Seven Days of Daisy.

Those wee ones don't know the days of the week, or even care. Oh, how I miss that chapter!

In the next class, preschool 2, ages 3 -4, the children know some of the days, maybe not the order. But they are FULL of it, questions, telling stories, and eager to create.

Cristel's class is ages 4 -5. They mostly know the days of the week, and love to draw.

 

They told me all about their own collections of shells, rocks, and toys. It was a blast to meet every one of them. Thanks, Cristel and Bright Horizons. You teachers are doing the most pivotal job of shaping curiosity in children. Being with your classes made my week!

More photos to follow. Today, it's Tuesday and time to meet an illustration deadline for Portland Stage Company.

rock party

Islands have a certain magnetism. Is it any wonder that some folks live on more than one island?
Our Peaks Island neighbor Elena recently celebrated her birthday on Monhegan Island, where she also has a home.

I made her this paper collage card.

Daisy made this one:

We left our island in dense fog, drove up to New Harbor, and took the Hardy Boat in yet more fog.
Upon arrival we stretched our legs by heading up to the lighthouse, where the view is spectacular no matter the weather.

The fog lifted just at dusk, revealing a glowing full moon.

We walked back down to the dock, where the Island Inn glittered like a jewelry box.

We had sweet dreams in our Pierce Cottage room, part of an old house that sits below the Inn facing the meadow.

On our second night, the view also included the lighthouse.

Marty made this card for Elena, inspired by the view.

Before the birthday party began, we had time to take in some sights. Like the exhibit at the Monhegan Museum, A Sense of Place: Representational Painting on Monhegan 1950 - 2000, where we found old favorites by Rockwell Kent, Andrew Wyeth, Charles Martin, and James Fitzgerald, as well as discovering names like Teco Slagboom.

Oh, and a stop at the charming library that has a remarkably deep collection of art books. I could live there, no problemo.

The party was hoppin' when we arrived.

And the view of Manana was clear and fresh.

Some clouds came in, a magnificent backdrop for the celebration.

Yes, Elena, you ROCK.

From sweet to sparkle.

Happy birthday, island girl!

We roamed around a bit the next day. I made a quick pastel study of the view from the lawn of the Island Inn.

Our Dr. Who fan spotted this among the chickens.

We snuck in a cruise on the Balmy Days, circling Monhegan in half an hour under full sun.

It was not easy saying good bye to this rock 12 miles out to sea. We left on our second boat trip of the day to New Harbor, then drove back down to Portland. Took a third ride: the ferry to our own rock, a mere 3 miles out to sea, past tankers and lighthouses of a different scale.

The rock hopping is done, now it's back to the drawing board.

touristas

It's a little known fact, even among my island neighbors, that I ride a motorcycle.

As my husband and I get older, the bikes wind up in the barn more often than not. But every summer, we blast off. The first trick is making it onto the ferry. 

Our pair of Hondas make a tidy fit next to the freight.

Our first stop was Hallowell, where we visited the heavenly Hubbard Free Library.

You gotta love a library that feels like a sacred space, and one in which the children's section is at the very front. A divine place for reading if ever there was one!

I entered a raffle for this bear carved with a chainsaw by Dan Burns.

 

We hit the back roads again, passing a herd of belted Galloways.

And, another friendly crowd up close.

We made it to the Wings Hill Inn a little drenched by a sudden shower.

 

Any getaway is not complete without some art viewing. We found a unique exhibit, "Humanity in Nature" at the L.C. Bates Museum in nearby Hinckley. The art was hung amongst the most curious of displays, between taxidermy, busts, and historical artifacts. The black and white piece on the left below is by Michel Droge, graphite on paper.

These turtles, cast in concrete, by Elliott Katz, were almost camouflaged among the various specimens. Not a great photo, but can you see the turtles shell backs are corporate logos? Titled "Ornaments of Paradise" they made an indelible impression of the human imprint our world makes on nature.

The museum has room after room of ducks, birds, owls. I had never seen a lyre bird before.

Back on the bikes, we passed fragrant fields of corn and hay.

We even found a perfect spot to renew our vows, 24 years later.

 

Lakes and lakes and lakes mirroring billowing skies....

All the way back, as satiated tourists, to our own destination island.

Just in time to draw a bit of scenery in my back yard.

 

This will be for sale in the upcoming Art on the Porch, the annual event held at the Fifth Maine on Peaks Island.

Motorcycles back in the barn, and time to draw.

And GUESS WHAT? I won the bear!

friday is ferry day

I'm marking the days to tomorrow's book launch with feverish anticipation. I helped Rose Ann dress the window at Take a Peak this morning. Cute.

Most people don't know that I worked on the interior design of this little shop next to Down Front,
the island's ice cream store and summer magnet spot. I illustrated a Queen Anne's lace for the logo, and staffed the store sometimes during the first summer it was open. I hand painted a children's table and chairs for display.
Look, now it has Seven Days of Daisy in the mix!

I've sent Marty to town for watermelon. There will be a seed spitting session tomorrow, no doubt.

 

You can spot an islander by these humble little carts, the workhorses that haul our lives back and forth.

The ferry is a significant feature of island living, one that is some days a blessing, other days a curse.

I made this pastel "Sweet Departure" after one summer of too many guests. The best part is watching a ferry leave and you can just go home and flop in the hammock.

 

Many people have come and gone from island living, and the ferry is probably one factor. It's a trusty and lovely way to commute, the deckhands are the BEST, but it's catching that boat that can make or break you.

Here's a shot of nostalgia, from the former Peaks Island Mercantile Calendar, a photograph by my neighbor, Dave Stankowitz. He knows a good visual pun when he sees one.

Of the 20 mommies and babies here, 6 are still living on Peaks. Four of the babies here are in Seven Days of Daisy. Can you guess who?

I happen to love the ferry, even the thrill of catching one. Of course, I grumbled last week when I left my cart on the morning boat to town, and only realized it as I opened the back to unload groceries in the ferry garage. It was safely waiting in the freight shed to be reclaimed (love) but there wasn't quite enough time to unload my grocs (hate) and make the boat. I stupidly fumed about my witless blunder for an hour til the next one. And then the view made me forget all about it.

I have featured both Peaks and some vintage tickets in collage cards, odes to my adoration.

It's a lovely trip, only 15 minutes or so, about equal to the time I once spent finding a parking spot when I lived in San Francisco. But Casco Bay Lines always guarantees a good view, salty friends, and fresh air.

The weather tomorrow may not be as divine as today. But as Nancy 3 Hoffman of the Umbrella Cover Museum sings, "Let a smile be your umbrella."

Only one day to the book launch!
Curious City will help make it shine, with or without the sun.