The Pineapple Diary

Brattleboro, VT

I'm so far behind on all sorts of blogging and sharing of news, but I'm starting with a trip I made out to visit a friend a few weeks ago in Brattleboro, VT.

I was lucky enough to visit during Gallery Walk, which occurs on the first friday of each month. I was amazed to see how many people, including tons of young families, were walking around town enjoying the experience. The galleries are far different than what I'm used to in the Portsmouth area, with a definite lean towards contemporary, humanistic, and nature based work. There were musicians in almost every gallery and several out on the streets - it's a really unique town and definitely a great place to visit, shop, eat, relax.

Another surprise for me was at the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center. The building is a renovated train station and has a lot of charming spaces. After seeing a number of great works by new and emerging artists we stopped into what looked like perhaps the old train ticket booth for a beautiful exhibit by Chris Van Allsburg. I've always appreciated his books but seeing the art in person was really amazing. The scale was quite a bit larger than you seen in print and I hadn't realized the variety of techniques he used (charcoal, pastel and colored pencil, scratchboard, etc). The show runs until August 3rd, check it out if you are anywhere near the area or out traveling this summer.

Oh, and of course I can't recommend a visit without a plug for my friend's place of employment - New England Center for Circus Arts. They offer classes, workshops, and professional track programs in circus arts. They also perform locally and regionally and their shows are quite amazing to see. For pictures of my friend Suzanne (in black/red then green) performing at her graduation from the professional track program last year, click here. She is now a teacher at the school.

Vita goes to Surtex!

My good friend and talented illustrator, Vita Mechachonis is heading off to Surtex in a few days and I wanted to wish her a big public good luck cheer! You can find Vita's artwork at her agent Kolea's booth #2408 (1st floor, hall 1E). Be sure and stop by if you're attending! Below are a few of Vita's illustrations and pattern designs (all work is copyright of Vita Mechachonis):


I just love this bunny - he's round but still working it!

What a dilemma, no more milk?!?! Vita has more artwork than anyone I know - I'm looking forward to seeing what new stuff she cooked up for this year's Surtex. You can also visit her and see more artwork at her blog. Good luck Vita!!!! And good luck to all the other artists showing too!!!

I wish I were going as well - Surtex and the simultaneous National Stationery Show are so exciting and inspiring. If you want a better description of the shows, read about my trip last year here.

I've been illin' and chillin' fighting off some sort of strange cold. Computing hasn't agreed with me so I'm drawing on the couch for today. I'll be sure and share some 21 Day Exercises soon! Also, my apologies if your name got cut from my link list, typepad is going some strange stuff - I'll look into fixing it tomorrow!

Kennedy Studios, Opening Reception

Thank you to everyone who made it to the opening on Friday! I thought the event was a great success. It seemed busy and active the whole time. The show will be up until at least  early June so come visit if you find yourself in Portsmouth. Kids welcome of course!

I kept telling Robert that I am notorious for blinking in photos, but ironically he is blinking in the picture I grabbed from my Dad - sorry Robert, it was the only group shot he had. (You'll post a better pic on your blog I just know it!)

Me, Robert, Tess, and Teri. You can see Teri's lovely watercolor spread above my shoulder, David McPhail's work behind us at eye level and Robert's work just below. My work and Tess' is just out of sight here. Other illustrator friends who paid a visit were Vita, Andy, Eric, and Nicole. Ok, now back to work!!!

Children's Illustration Show, Portsmouth NH

I'm very excited to share the news that I'm part of a group exhibit of Children's Book Illustrations opening next week at Kennedy Studios in Portsmouth, NH! I will be showing work along with the very talented David McPhail, Robert Squier, Teri Weidner, and Tess Feltes. The opening reception is May 9th, from 5-8pm. This coincides with Art 'Round Town, a collection of galleries in Portsmouth that have openings on the same Friday so you can take a little tour.

I hope some of you living in the area can come and meet all of us. There will be originals, prints, and sketches to see (and purchase). The show will up for one month. Let me know if you plan on coming and I'll be sure to look for you! I'll be taking some photos at the opening to post on the blog for those of you who cannot make it.

NHCC Event: 100% Rag and Espinosa

For the 5+ years I've now lived in New Hampshire I've gone to several great events hosted by the New Hampshire Creative Club. Last night was another home run. After a long day of multi-tasking and a quick fedex drop-off, a night listening to successful illustrators was really uplifting.

Richard A. Goldberg, known to the licensing world as 100% RAG and Leo Espinosa of Studio Espinosa shared some of their amazing work and experiences with licensing. With backgrounds in commissioned illustration they offer a different perspective than many of the licensed artists I've come to know. They did a great job explaining the differences between Surtex, where 100% RAG exhibits, and the Licensing Show, where Studio Espinosa exhibits. They also did a great job fielding questions from the audience, even when they were on the verge of heckling (Doesn't that always happen at the illustrator talks?) Be sure to visit them over at Drawger - an amazing illustrator group blog.

I saw some great work and felt really bolstered by their talk. The big thing I walked away with was the idea of REALLY developing an idea and pushing it to wherever you want to go with it. Otherwise known as: THINK BIG. In fact, it sparked a children's book idea that I hope to work on soon. I'm really excited about it! Once I get out from under my mountain of work this week... Oh, and it was nice to see a few old coworkers and friends. I love working at home but it's always nice to come out of my little bubble into the rest of the world!

Button Factory, Open Studios

If you live close to Portsmouth, NH you should make a trip to the Button Factory Open Studios for a fine arts and handicrafts. My friend Jen will be selling fabulous handmade items and I'll be ready to do some holiday shopping. It's a great way to support the local art community. Oh, and if you can't make it to the show, you can buy items from Jen's Etsy Shop after this weekend!

Illustrophile

It's always nice to get featured someplace on the web, and today there's a post on me at Illustrophile.com There are tons of wonderful posts on illustrators there, definitely worth bookmarking. And be sure to check out creator Charlene Chua's work, really bold and dynamic stuff.

Molly Bang's Picture This

My friend and fellow illustrator Ann Marie recently lent me Molly Bang's "Picture This - How pictures Work". It was great to read it following her talk last month in Boston. I highly recommend any artist or designer read this. It explains (and illustrates!) the seemingly simple aspects of picture making that we can overlook or forget over time. If I ever make it to the library I'll be sure to load up on some of Molly's picture books... My library is about 2 minutes down the road but I've just been too busy to make the time, how terrible!

FCB presents Molly Bang

Last night, the Foundation for Children's Books hosted a talk with renowned author/illustrator Molly Bang. This is part of a series called 'Conversations with... Author/Illustrator Series' held at Boston College's Chestnut Hill campus. It was quite easy to get there, and parking is free. Check out their website for more information on upcoming events!

Usually before I see an illustrator talk I am familiar (or make myself familiar) with their body of work. While I had heard of many of Molly's books and seen the covers, I admit, I have not read any of them. Her website is really informative and well worth a visit, see link above. After last night's talk I have a long list to fill at my library...

She was wonderful to listen to, with a huge amount of passion for her books but also a gentleness and sincerity in her responses to both audience and moderator questions. Just listening to her talk about her books, you understand the love she has poured into each of them. In recent years, Molly has published a few science books for children, having been raised by scientist parents and seeing the real lack of interest in science in America's youth. She expressed disappointment that they are not selling like her fictional picture books. She talked a little bit about her book for adults, 'Picture This' which looks like a great resource for any visual artist. That's at the top of my list to read first! I feel like I used to have much more dynamic and powerful compositions and I'm losing that quality to my new work, something to do with trying to make my work more complex...

I'll end on this note: Opportunities like the above are so important for me. In part because they inspire me and fuel me to create. In another part because they are part of this profession, and learning curve of what it means to be an illustrator. Even if your dream is in a holding pattern, get out there and participate! Join SCBWI, seek out artist critique groups and events like this. There are more things going on than I have time for, I just try and pick the closest and most relevant.

ICA Boston

Friday I finally trekked down to Boston to visit the ICA Boston. For several years I had seen the architectural drawings, renderings, and 3D fly-throughs of this place. But to see and experience it firsthand was amazing.

IMHO, the ICA's biggest fault is that the ultra-modern space can be a bit confusing. Granted, I have no sense of direction and get visually overwhelmed easily but not knowing which door leads to the bathroom, ICA administrative offices, or other areas is sort of unusual in a museum.

My favorite pieces at the museum were:

The Louise Bourgeois spider sculpture above. Stunning. Beautifully crafted, delicate and detailed. This was in honor of her mother as she was a protector and weaver. Not fitting a societal norm of the image of motherhood, but really beautiful.

Misaki Kawai, "Space House," 2006. A very large, complex installation. My friend Suzanne described it (in jest) as Pee Wee's Playhouse but she's not far off the mark. Crafted using naive, low-brow craft techniques (think glue, yarn, papier-mache) it filled the space with odd little rooms surrounded by swirls of roller-coaster like tracks and spacecraft. My favorite part was the little exercise room where the doll was watching a miniature tv of himself working out. I didn't love it for it's technical execution, but for the obsession and sense of fun and sarcasm that the artist was driven by for what must have been months in order to create this. God Bless America and our freedom of personal expression. :)

I also loved seeing a real live Jeff Koons 'rabbit', the steel sculpture that looks like a silver mylar balloon. So precise and exacting.

The museum is fairly small in it's collection, but just right for leisurely exploring. It has a great balance of paintings, installations, video art, sculpture, and photography. Something for everyone you could say.

The space itself is AMAZING. There is a mediateque full of glossy macs but I couldn't be bothered with them. I just sat in front of what I thought was the best view of the boston waterfront. Staring at the water from this very sterile and soothing room. Above this room on the fourth floor is technically a 'better' view and benches to chill on.

I don't get down to Boston/Cambridge often enough and now I have another great reason to visit. If you live near Boston or come for a visit, definitely plan on making this part of your agenda.