Sketchbook Project 2012 Tour: Portland, Maine

Last Friday I was lucky enough to spend the afternoon at the Sketchbook Project tour stop in Portland, Maine. The exhibit was at Space Gallery, and they did a great job of making it a fun, welcoming, and very cool place to spend a few hours.

I went with Vita Mechachonis, so of course I checked her book out first. I love that she made a full-circle story with her theme of 'In 10 minutes'. The monkey and elephant characters are super-cute. I love how Vita splashed color throughout the book. Check her whole book out here.

My friend Jane Grant-Tentas' book was another example of storytelling. You can see more of her book on her amazing blog (Jane rarely misses an IF!)

James Cornell tweeted me about who to check out at the show. You did not disappoint, James. This book was captivating from start to finish. And well-drawn. And so unique. Don't miss it. See it HERE.

Fran Meneley's beautiful book was next to Vita's. On the Sketchbook tour, you get to check out the book next to the one you've selected as a bonus. Awesome, right?

Angel Szafranko's book had this gorgeous, fully painted cover. And her wolf was my favorite from the inside.

Julie Jurrjens' book was lovely. Her 'Hong Kong cigarette' portrait floored me.

You have to see Rosemary Hollings' dimensional sandwich book in person. Or digitized, here, if you can't make it to the tour. Beyond clever and fun.

Another one of my favorite books: Anne van den Berg

Bernadette Moke's take on 'Along the Line' was so beautifully rendered. And smart.

Such gorgeous brushwork from Iwona Suchanska-Himik

I totally lucked out by picking Miranda Pang's tour mail card. I did a few of my own. Maybe I'll share those another day. This is my longest post in ages. If you get the chance, definitely check out the show. And it's a lot more fun if you've done a book too. Go sign up for 2013 here.

p.s. I did my best to link back to the artists' Arthouse pages. Some people drew blanks. If you are one of them, leave a comment with any link to your art and I'll happily update.

Comments

[Vita]

I had a lovely lovely time with you last Friday, Ms. Gina! Thanks for posting about me, and GREAT PICS!!

[Issi]

Beautiful blog :) Thank you for show my illustration from Sketchbook (brushwork Iwona).
Keep in touch,
Issi