Greene Block + Studios, 18 Main St., Waterville, ME

Elm City Small Press Fest is a community event that focuses on independent publishing in the Maine region. This event highlights contemporary print and publishing culture while activating conversations around creative labor and commerce as viable artistic practices. The goal of the Fest is to inform attendees of contemporary creative publishing while stimulating and promoting creative economies in the area. The Fest is organized by the Colby Libraries and Arts Office at Greene Block + Studios.

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Maine’s beloved annual, all-women sprint triathlon for the Maine Cancer Foundation, on the campus of SMCC in South Portland, ME

My second Tri! I had so much fun doing this last year that I’m doing it again. Lots of rainy training days this time around, but I’ll be ready for whatever the day brings, and smiling all the way through it. If you are able to donate to the Maine Cancer Foundation, please click the link below. And if you’re in Maine, come cheer us on - over a thousand women strong - at SMCC. Thank you!

https://mainecancer.donordrive.com/participant/LuckyPlatt

What is a crankie? Join me for a hands-on program on the crankie- a unique moving panorama storytelling tool! Originating in the early 1800’s, the crankie involves two handled spools that can be ‘cranked’ to bring movement to an illustrated scroll. Celebrate the moving image at the Maine International Film Festival AND at Art in the Park!

This program is free and open to all ages and levels of experience. In the event of rain or extreme heat, Art in the Park will be indoors at the Paul J. Schupf Art Center. 

Read more about this event and all the wonderful programs at Waterville Creates here https://www.watervillecreates.org/shows/art-in-the-park-celebrate/

Waterville Creates! program in Castonguay Square, corner of Common and Main in Waterville, ME

Join me outside the new Paul Schupf Art Center for Art in Park, we’ll be exploring scratchboard art techniques including ways to make your own from scratch -pun intended!

Waterville Creates has joined forces with the Waterville Public Library and the Colby College Museum of Art to offer dynamic, creative summer programming to provide arts experiences for all. This season kicks off with a new summer reading theme “All Together Now: Todos JuntosAhora (to-dos hune-tos a-or-da )” with stories and creations focusing on kindness, friendship, and unity. Each Thursday participants at Art in the Park can listen as a book is read aloud and create art work based on that book or community theme.

This program is free and open to all ages and levels of experience.

Hey Waterville-area teens! Join me for a FREE hands-on program on crankies-a unique moving panorama storytelling tool. Originating in the early 1800’s, the crankie involves two handled spools that can be ‘cranked’ to bring movement to an illustrated scroll. I’ll discuss my work as a children’s book illustrator and author and we’ll create together, and of course, there will be pizza!
Careers highlighted: Children’s book author + illustrator, visual artist
Ages 13-18

What is SLICE?
SLICE is a free program for teens and stands for Students Learning Innovative and Creative Endeavors. For this series of teen programs, we are partnering with arts professionals throughout the state, to provide young people with unique experiences to learn more about career paths in the creative arts. Each afternoon will be packed with programming, inspiration, and pizza!

More info about Waterville Creates programs for all ages here https://www.watervillecreates.org

University of Southern Maine Wishcamper Center, Portland, ME

Jim and I will be at this annual Book Arts festival in Portland showing our collaborative work as Bunkhouse Studio. See you there!

Event info

Drop in for art time at Unity Public Library | 38 School Street, Unity, ME

Join us for a special Dr. Seuss-inspired Creative Time in honoring of author/illustrator Theodor Seuss Geisel’s birthday.

I’m the Artist-in-Residence for Unity Public Library, which opened January 22, 2022 and serves my town of Burnham as well as Unity, Troy, Thorndike, Freedom, and Knox, Maine. Creative Time is a new free series for kids of all ages (parents/guardians welcome too!) exploring different art materials. We’ll always connect our hands-on projects with picture book illustration - I’ll share books by illustrators who are using similar techniques, materials and styles. The library and I will provide all supplies, just bring yourselves and your great ideas!

Unity Public Library | 38 School Street, Unity, ME

Create a simple accordion style handmade mini-book! We’ll supply all the art materials. Drop-ins are welcome, but you’ll get the most out of this workshop if you can come for the full two hours.

I’m the Artist-in-Residence for Unity Public Library, which opened January 22, 2022 and serves my town of Burnham as well as Unity, Troy, Thorndike, Freedom, and Knox, Maine. Creative Time is a new free series for kids of all ages (parents/guardians welcome too!) exploring different art materials. We’ll always connect our hands-on projects with picture book illustration - I’ll share books by illustrators who are using similar techniques, materials and styles. The library and I will provide all supplies, just bring yourselves and your great ideas!

Is 2023 the year to get your picture book dream/draft/dummy in gear?

Welcome to your January Jumpstart, hosted by Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance!

This dynamic, high-energy online session will send you back to the writing desk or studio brimming with creative tools and momentum for the picture book project you've been sitting on, dreaming on, or actively drafting. Come with an idea in your head, a working draft, or anything in between. You'll explore your story's authentic core and reasons for being through a series of visual and writing exercises, plus identify the next steps for your project, and learn best practices for manuscript formatting and revision, thumb-nailing even if - especially if - you don't draw, dummy books, and preparing your picture book for submission or independent publishing.

I’ll provide a crash course in the elements and principles of picture book making, resources for accessing the big beautiful picture book creators' community, and advice on publishing traditionally vs self vs hybrid options. Participants will not share their work or receive feedback from each other, but all will have the option of emailing a manuscript, thumbnails, or dummy book to me for written feedback. This feedback opportunity is included in the course fee, but material must be sent by January 27, hence the jumpstart! You'll need: A picture book idea (in any form, including in your head) + a large sheet of sturdy paper, at least 11x17 + your journal/sketchbook + your favorite writing tool(s) - pens or pencils AND (optional) - some colorful pens and highlighters.

Workshop FULL More info about MWPA programs HERE

Drop in for art time at Unity Public Library | 38 School Street, Unity, ME

We’ll be creating creating visual poetry using paper collage!

I’m the Artist-in-Residence for Unity Public Library, which opened January 22, 2022 and serves my town of Burnham as well as Unity, Troy, Thorndike, Freedom, and Knox, Maine. Creative Time is a series for kids of all ages (parents/guardians welcome too!) exploring different art materials. We’ll always connect our hands-on projects with picture book illustration - I’ll share books by illustrators who are using similar techniques, materials and styles. The library and I will provide all supplies, just bring yourselves and your great ideas!

Concord Museum, 53 Cambridge Turnpike, Concord, MA

This year I’m thrilled to be participating in Family Trees: A Celebration of Children’s Literature, an annual holiday season event at Concord Museum. Stay tuned for details, there will be wolves!

From the museum website: A benefit exhibition with related programs, Family Trees: A Celebration of Children’s Literature fills the Museum with trees and wreaths of all shapes and sizes fancifully dressed for the occasion with charming original ornaments inspired by a dazzling selection of children’s picture books. Family Trees is organized by the Concord Museum Guild of Volunteers and is held November through the first of January each year. More about Concord Museum

Greene Block + Studios, Waterville, ME

Bunkhouse Studio is my collaboration with my husband Jim Macdonald, and we’ll be exhibiting our zines, handmade books, prints and mixed media work in Waterville this year. Free and open to the public, details coming soon!

Elm City Small Press Fest is a community event that focuses on independent publishing in the Maine region. This event highlights contemporary print and publishing culture while activating conversations around creative labor and commerce as viable artistic practices. The goal of the Fest is to inform attendees of contemporary creative publishing while stimulating and promoting creative economies in the area. The Fest is organized by the Center for Book & Print, a collaborative initiative of Colby Libraries and the Arts Office.

Waterfall Arts, High Street, Belfast, ME

This is a full day workshop devoted to monotype printmaking —a uniquely expressive, accessible and nontoxic printmaking form. I love this printmaking process, which is especially suited for painterly mark-making. Way back in my undergraduate days I did my thesis in monotype printmaking, and I’ve been incorporating various printmaking processes into my studio practice ever since. In September, Waterfall Arts hosted me for Wild Things, an open studio exploration of monotype printmaking, and I’m so excited to return for a full day of printing bliss.

We'll be working with a variety of multi-purpose plates in a wide range of sizes, including traditional plexi and shaped plates made from repurposed food containers. Participants will go home with many new prints and ideas for further exploration. Fee includes instruction, use of water-soluble studio inks, and a generous allotment of fine printmaking paper. I’ll also have paper on hand to purchase for those who are extra prolific! All levels of experience are welcome, registration is required. Details and registration

Via Zoom | Must be a current SCBWI Member to Register

What Big, Beautiful Ears You Have: Things I Learned Creating My First Picture Book

My first picture book Imagine a Wolf truly was a crash course in creating a book; I’m so excited to be giving this Shop Talk from the other side of that delightful and wild ride! Free for members and hosted by the New England chapter of SCBWI, this is especially for SCBWI members who have a PB dummy in their head or in the works, and anyone embarking or in the midst of their own first book journey.

Mockingbird Bookshop, 74 Front Street, Bath, ME

For Maine Craft Weekend 2022, I’ll be in the Featured City of Bath! Thank you Mockingbird Bookshop for hosting me for Saturday Story Time plus a little book craft talk and book-related art activties for all ages. There will be wolves! Stop by anytime between 10:30 and noon, and show your love for indie bookstores—I’ll sign and personalize your copy of Imagine of Wolf and as always I’ll have awesome book goodies for readers.

Maine Craft Weekend is free and open to the public with craft-focused events for all ages throughout the state. See what’s happening in Bath and plan your trip HERE!

The Bibliophile Bookshop and Coffeehouse, 1233 Roosevelt Trail, Raymond ME

I’m so excited to back at this dreamy indie bookstore and coffeeshop for story time and art-making. First we’ll be reading the picture book Unbound by Maine award-winning author/illustrator Melissa Sweet. Unbound is a beautiful true story about sisters and about how your art can be a way to speak when you don’t have the words. After the reading we’ll jump right into making collage pictures! I’ll bring all the materials, just bring yourselves and your ears and eyes and imaginations. All ages welcome.

Friday during the Art Market at Waterfall Arts, 256 High Street in Belfast, ME

Join me in the studio with and a couple rockstar printmakers who just might happen to be in the neighborhood! We’ll be playing with monotype—a uniquely expressive, accessible and nontoxic printmaking form. A monotype print is sometimes referred to as the "painterly print", as the ink can be applied to the plate much like a painter would use a brush, paint, and medium on canvas. A monotype plate produces one unique print, but the ink remaining on the plate after being run under the etching press -- the 'ghost' image -- can provide a starting point for a second plate or even a series of related prints, with wonderful narrative possibilities.

Our theme is Wild Things — All levels of experience with printmaking are welcome, painters this process is especially your jam, see you there.

Waterfall Arts Website