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!

art roamings

I'm blessed to be immersed in art wherever I go. We visited the Portland Museum of Art last week to see A Cat in Paris, an animated film with a lush texture and fluid story-telling. LOVED IT, especially that some of the environments were done with pastel on Canson paper, a favorite paper in my stash.

Where do artists always go in a museum? The shop, duh, to ogle books and goodies. Quelle surprise!
Found my wee book there:

From there I headed over to rendezvous with fellow RISD chum visiting from Brooklyn, Madeline Sorel. Caught her in a frenzy at Portland Fiber Gallery, fondling wool roving. Here she is with her latest creation:

 

Whoa, I spotted another book with my illustrations: Cast On, Bind Off!

Even though I don't knit, I'm a total sucker for anything color sorted.

Really, anything.

We parted ways promising to visit again. I took the boat back to Peaks and strolled into another fine show at the Gem Gallery. Kat Ferrin's "Sticks and Dots" was mesmerizing.

 

She paints on salvaged wood, driftwood, found sticks, and even sticks chewed by beavers, plentiful on Peaks Island.

As a part-time member, I have a pastel in the front gallery, seen here hanging above work by fellow members Diane Wiencke and Paul Brahms.

Diane's show in July absolutely glowed. Founding curator of the Gem, Jane Newkirk, stands in front of a Diane piece from the show, "Scrap Heap," a sublime alchemy of texture and sheen.

Prior to this show, Carol Cartier's "Gloves Off," filled the back gallery with all manner of assemblage.

For a two room cooperative gallery, the Gem packs a mighty punch.

Earlier in the summer, I took in a show at SPACE Gallery in Portland, "Rum Riot Press," curated by Amze Emmons. A zine fest, huzzah! Another surprise to find art by someone I know, Torie Leigh.
Small world we lives in.

And some classy broadsheets, printed by Carl Haase, a MECA alum and local artist who takes nothing for granted, not even the humble paper cup or remote, objects of every day use with informative histories, chronicled within.

Hey, I can find art at the grocery store, too. Check out these beer packages illustrated by my better half, Marty.

Speaking of Maine College of Art, my former student, Thomas Dowling, showed this in "Critters and Creatures" at the Richard Boyd Art Gallery on Peaks Island in July. He calls this Ulia.

Currently showing is the work of Jeanne O'Toole Hayman, an island neighbor, whose oil painting, Alizarin, I am now owning, along with one of Rick Boyd's signature vases. This gallery is a must-see when you come to Peaks.

I got into the art action with my daughter at the annual Art on the Porch at the Fifth Maine on Sunday.
The day was off to a rainy start, but sunshine and smiles prevailed.

Um, can't believe we've been doing this for like, 5 years???

I sold prints of this piece, Luminous Lowtide.

And this original pastel, titled Thirsty Cove, went to a happy patron who knew Spar Cove when she saw it, and loved the strong resemblance to her dog.

My daughter added a new print, done especially for the show, Night Ride.

Fellow island artist, Paul Brahms, set up on the lawn, with his son, Lucien, drawing away. Some parents know what a good pastime a pencil can be!

I loaned my tent to photographer, Whitney Fox, who braved the rain with aplomb. Bravo!

Yes, the island keeps us out of trouble with art-making, art seeking, and all that the tide washes in.

With so much to see and do, it's hard to get much done in the studio.

Tomorrow I am visiting the South China Public Library to discuss Nest, Nook, & Cranny.
I'll be heading over to Great Diamond Island this Saturday to give a talk at Fort McKinley at 7 PM.
And signing books at Take a Peak on Peaks Island on Sunday from 1 - 3 PM.

 Who said summer was lazy?

Wednesday is for wee ones

A sharp-eyed troop of little artists from the Peaks Island Children's Workshop visited my studio on Wednesday, for a reading of Seven Days of Daisy.

 

I gave them magnifying glasses, for seeing every little thing and more. They saw my messy, messy studio, my camera collection, and a sneak peak at my next book.

They also worked on their own stories with energy galore.

They know the days of the week, but maybe not the order just yet. But they know how to make every day count!

Too soon it was time for them to head off to their next adventure, holding hands and noticing new sights all the way to the beach.

  

For Peaks Island kids, life is good. Thanks, PICW! 

This age group brings back sweet memories of Daisy's days sorting out her week. This little girl

became this illustration

and the story of what makes an island summer so rich, even with waiting for Nana. What's the story of your summer?

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.