Taking the Long Cut

After much hemming, hawing, researching and brain-picking, I finally decided to make the leap to a Cintiq. I’m still trying to get the hang of things, but working on the above drawing this week was a blast.

A few weeks back, I was talking to a kid who told me about having to, “take the long cut,” as in, “the road was closed, so we had to take the long cut.” I love this expression; I wish it was an actual part of the English lexicon. And it’s been rattling around in my head ever since. I hate being late. I abhor wasted time. But I keep wondering if there’s something to be said for meandering, for taking “the long cut” now and then, as opposed to “the short cut.” It seems like it might be a good idea for the new year ahead. And I’m trying to remind myself of this while attempting to learn new ways of making art.

And one last bit of 2023 below: this highly accurate portrait of me drawn by my five-year-old niece over the holidays. She drew me while I was drawing her (whoa).

* Before I hit publish, I did a quick search of the interwebs only to realize that “The Long Cut” is an Uncle Tupelo song. And it ain’t half bad…

Old + New

Never have I known a year that flew by as quickly as this one. Lots of highs, some lows, but plenty to be grateful for, without a doubt. I am trying to ponder the shape of 2024. But before I go too far down that rabbit hole, here’s a random assortment of things I liked/loved in 2023:

To Read: I enjoyed Chesterton’s delightful Manalive, The Faint of Heart by Kerilynn Wilson and the classic YA novel, A Wrinkle in Time. Manalive is the perfect antidote to nihilism. The Faint of Heart is beautiful and (no pun intended) heartfelt. And A Wrinkle in Time was my companion when in the throes of The Plague last month.

To Watch: I unexpectedly loved the new season of Shetland (the island is on my bucket list) and Munch was an absolute delight.

To Grow: It was a weird garden year. My potatoes grew like mad. My peppers were an absolute failure. But the real winner was the Lacinato Kale. Heads up: homegrown kale tastes nothing like grocery store kale. Far more flavorful, much less bitter, this grew like crazy and is still growing. In December. Granted, it’s under plastic and tucked up in straw, but it’s been a thrill to have a vegetable this late in the season.

To Enjoy: Locally, two new favorite spots were Elephantine Bakery in Portsmouth and Two Bees in Dover. And birthday drinks with my parents at Wild Bevy was grand.

To Make: The Wiksten shift top I sewed will probably be worn until it falls apart. And this knit beret pattern has gotten some heavy rotation.

To fend off that “The world is blowing up and I want to escape in a space pod” feeling: India Rose Crawford’s stop motion videos were 100000% the best thing on social media in 2023.

The Fairy Fighter

For years, I’ve said I wanted to write my own books. And I’ve made attempts at this with results ranging from passable to flat-out dreadful. But ultimately, nothing ever quite resonated. Whatever this is, however, has clicked. So since September, I’ve been working through an outline. Plot lines would get jettisoned when walking the dog, character quirks added when sitting in traffic. I began scripting this month, and then began writing, because I second-guessed the scripting. Which is a round about way to say that I am trying to make a book and it’s more like hiking up a vertical cliff in a snowstorm than traipsing through fields of unicorns and daisies. This story has gotten under my skin and I hope that this time around, that counts for something. Also the main character’s hair is all wrong and her look is proving elusive in all things but the determined glint in her eyes.

What else?

• I’m knitting the DRK Everyday Sweater at the moment. I’ve been on the hunt for a top-down knit pullover for awhile and this pattern ticks all the boxes. I’m on the first sleeve and have knit through with zero modifications (other than lengthening the torso by an inch).

• Spy thrillers set in the 60’s are generally catnip for me, so it seemed like a foregone conclusion to stream The Courier. It’s a gem of a movie — what really struck me was its affirmation of the fact that it’s often very average people who do very remarkable things.

• Local to Seacoast New Hampshire? The Artists of Salmon Falls Open Studios is this weekend. I’ll be open for at least part of Saturday and potentially Sunday. If you’d like to check on hours before coming, drop me a line here and I’ll do my best to be open at a convenient time. And on Saturday, down the road a bit, is the Winter Farmers’ Market at Wentworth Greenhouses and the Christmas Fair at St. Mary’s. So if you have a hankering for original art, fresh veg and homemade cookies, the town of Rollinsford, New Hampshire has you covered this weekend.

Anne Dares

She’s here! Anne Dares is the latest installment in the Anne of Green Gables inspired series that I’ve been illustrating for Tundra Books. Written by Kallie George, this is the fifth title in the collection. There’s ridge pole walking and puff sleeves in this one. And a certain Josie Pye makes an appearance…

Frodo and Fall

The Lord of the Rings was supposed to be my summer read. It looks like it’ll also be my autumn read. My reading speed would probably be enhanced if I stopped trying to read so many books at the same time. But whenever I want a bit of Middle Earth escapism, Frodo and Co.’s adventures are providing a much needed respite. Anyhow, I figured it was high time I drew some Hobbits.

It was a grand summer and I’m sorry to see it go. But my pumpkins are finally turning orange and I like sweaters, so I’m prepared to make peace with the arrival of fall.

And if you’re anywhere near the New Hampshire Seacoast, I have a show at the Rollinsford Public Library that’ll run through mid-October.

Athnowen

I made it back to Ireland (previously here), so a sketchbook comic. Also, if your last name is “Healy” or “Leary” and you live anywhere in or around Ovens, Cork, please, please write. My grandmother kept in touch with cousins through the 1960’s, but her dementia and subsequent passing have left us unable to track down her correspondent. To eestablish communication would be a treasure.

Gilbert

This week I finished the very last painting in the very last book in the Anne of Green Gables adapted series. It’s bittersweet saying goodbye to Anne Shirley, but she gets a wonderful send off in this final book. It’ll be a year until that title comes out, but this fall Anne Dares hits shelves (here’s a preview on NetGalley). In the meantime, here’s a bit of art from the third book, Anne’s School Days, in which Gilbert helps get Anne out of a pickle. It’s hot and humid here today, so that river is looking mighty fine at the moment…

And the illustration model for Gilbert? My great-grandfather, John.