maryanne

I have been an illustrator for over twenty years.  I iive, work and play in Portland, Maine.  My illustration work has a tendency to be on the whimsical side but that is generally where I like to be in real life, so it is not too much of a stretch. This sketchbook project was different than many of the projects that I illustrate.  It was unusual because this book was not something I was going to tuck away in my shelf when it was finished and it also had a theme.  I chose the theme "If you lived here..." because I wanted the opportunity to appreciate the world around me - right here in my home and studio.  In my illustration work,  I find myself conjuring up images  mostly from my imagination.  This sketchbook had me exploring my own small surroundings and noticing the little things that make our house our home -  trinkets from travels, objects saved and handed down from my past, gifts from loved ones, items we use on a daily basis and, of course, the cats who are my constant companions while everyone else is off somewhere else.  It was all simply right in front of me - all the time.