happy new year

 

I'm very fond of the Chinese New Year. As a former resident of San Francisco, I relate to all the Asian wisdom and ritual around new beginnings. And, it's nice to have another fresh start, since the calendar new year seems to come too close behind the holidays for a truly clean slate.

However, I am NOT fond of snakes. In fact, I am totally phobic! I repurposed my illustration of a snake from Nest, Nook & Cranny by Susan Blackaby for a New Year's card for my SF neighbor, Frank Ching. I guess the snake is all about transforming with ease, so I will embrace my fears, shriek some, and carry on.

The week began with a Maine meet-up of area members of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. I knew I was in the right place when this door handle greeted me at the entrance to Bull Feeney's in Portland.

It was a lively gathering of writers and illustrators hearty enough to brave the enormous snowbanks.

On Tuesday I made a presentation at the Curtis Library in Brunswick, alongside author Robin Hansen, telling our yarnish tales of making Ice Harbor Mittens. 

If you can judge a library by it's art collection, the Curtis is chock full. Found this cool creation hanging:

From there, we ventured to the Peary-MacMillen Artic Museum at Bowdoin College nearby, where an inspiring exhibit of Inuit art from the collection of Rabbi Harry Sky blew me away.

Several sculptures are carved from whale bone, such as this voluptuous polar bear.

The show is nearly over. So glad I caught a look in time! They have a cool family event planned for February 23, with toy and puppet-making at 10 AM. Maybe I can disguise myself as a musk ox.

Valentine's Day proved incredibly SWEET. I brought my MECA class to visit the studio of award-winning author/illustrator Kevin Hawkes, who graciously shared his college portfolio, works in progress, and boundless humor.

Here's a sketch he refers to while keeping a character's markings consistent in the final illustrations for a current project.

He showed us several personal paintings, such as this one of a former Peaks Island neighbor hauling in his boat.

I met Kevin when we first moved to Peaks Island and always marveled at his prolific capacity to do amazing work amidst a bustling family. The Hawkes clan left for the mainland many years ago, but his influence has carried me far and wide. Now I'm illustrating children's books, too, and proud to be mentored by him. Here we are with my latest, Here Come the Humpbacks!

Thanks, Kevin, for sharing your professional wisdom with us!

The day only got sweeter, when I met my cupid, Marty, for lunch at the Blue Spoon. Intimate and delicious, this place never disappoints. I wisely skipped dessert, because I was later surprised with an amazing plate of treats crafted by Marty. Who knew he was such a pastry chef?

I hope you're all off to an auspicious new year. We head to Boston today for new scenes, visits, some art, and more great food.

Happy trails!

love letters

'Tis the season: love's gonna get me through the blizzard outside. I've got my valentine making station all ready.

If the power goes out, I still have hands, glue sticks, scissors and paper. I've been thinking about the power of old fashioned love letters lately. Who still sends them?

What a joyful greeting this door made when I visited my dear friend Mary Anne Lloyd!

We share a love of snail mail and fond attention to hand lettering, groovy stamps, and stickers. Oh, and illustrative tape, too! Here's a recent batch of my mail on it's way.

My love of letters could be one reason I seized on the chance to illustrate the poster for Portland Stage Company's upcoming production of A Song at Twilight by Noel Coward. The play turns on a batch of old love letters, with considerable drama.

These are a couple of sketches I liked that didn't get picked:

This sketch got the nod for further development:

It so happens I came across a batch of old letters in my parents' basement that became a reference point in my illustration.

And here's a little known fact: my almost 25 year marriage was born in a long-distance exchange of love letters. Got 'em stashed somewhere...

So then I sent this color sketch:

Marketing director Carole Harris was not keen on the red here, so I ditched that in my final, and she was, as always, right on the mark.

Meanwhile, valentines must be crafted. I've got all the fixin's...

I invited my fellow paper vixens over to make a fine mess.

 

Eda French, Nancy Gibson Nash, Mary Anne Lloyd, and Daisy Braun made the day so sweet!

Here's a few of our confections:

What's not to love about pink paper and polka dots? Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! Check here in the next couple of days for some downloadable valentines.

lovey dovey loot

O how I love this day. It's full of all of my favorite things: paper hearts, doilies, pink icing, and a swelling love for everyone. I should be working, but I can't seem to pull away from the glue sticks and scissors. I've been making valentines galore. Here's a few.

First, for my man. Vroom vroom valentine.
Our romance began with letters.

Next, for my sweet daughter of moonlight and magic.

I also send love to those I am fortunate to work with. Like the hotties at Curious City, who unlock the mysteries of literacy.

 Like the Maine Magazine. Groovy folks there.

I'll have some illustrations in an upcoming book from Storey Publishing. Hooray for Casting On!

Yes, yes, only one more whale illustration for Charlesbridge!

 

You'll notice a recurring element here, the above urchin was part of the endpapers in Nest, Nook, and Cranny. 

The above went out to my fellow colleague in the MECA trenches who spends a large part of his time at Strange Maine, not to be confused with IL 206.

This valentine is for Kim, designer friend who keeps my soul singing.

And this goes out to all you hotties, you know who you are....feel free to share this handy message.

I've made a ton of valentines, not as many as last year. So little time! But the more you give, the more you receive. Lovey dovey loot is priceless.

 

 It's a glorious day when the love signs can be found on the beach.

And then the neighbor brings over a plate of love. Shall I be trusted with this? Can I sneak one or two before my valentines return? Pretty please?

The window at the Gem Gallery says it all.

You better find somebody to love. Happy Valentines Day!

hearty peeps

Ah, it's the day to strut my favorite colors: red, orange, and pink, in that order. I love getting out handmade items, such as the felt runner above, made by Kathy Newell. The peeps are a little chewy, perhaps thanks to Valentine products being in stores since, um, the day after Christmas.

It's important to start such a lovey dovey day off right:  warm heart-shaped scones for breakfast, one flies out the door with the middle schooler, and another is enjoyed with my heart's desire.

It's been a week filled with work, events, travel, and as always, love. There are signs of it everywhere.
Found this at the beach: it says, "cold hands, warm heart."

And the tide has left some icy lace for me to admire.

 

I head back to the studio and draw something foxy for my latest book project.

This is just the beginning. I am distracted by the piles of paper scraps, doilies, and glue sticks. I'm keen on using letters, so I made a batch of monogrammed valentines this past week. Could not help myself.

I stopped in at the Gem Gallery's annual Think Pink show, which donates a portion of proceeds to the Community Breast Cancer Center.  Here is Tim Nihoff's magnet of a sign.

Inside, the walls glowed with the work of island artists and artisans.

I'm downright blessed with local art, and a particular collection of hearty art. This is Tim's. You can barely notice it, but there's a fish hook hanging from the rubber heart. Fell for this one like a total guppy.

Love this one by Shannon Rankin, a simple metaphor of cosmic proportions. Bought this at last fall's Picnic event for my sweetie's birthday.

I made this valentine to honor that sturdy muscle of mighty powers.

Over the weekend, I was off to my old turf, looking for more signs.

Nothing like sugar coated mountains to make me feel at home.

The Kancamagus Highway is a majestic sight indeed. It's a trip in more ways than one. Coming back over the pass to the coast, your ears pop, and you smell the salty air again.

Back just in time to decorate the window seat, where tradition has our holidays begin.

It's all about your outlook. Here's to finding love in your window, wherever you are!