Thank you L.L.Bean



30 years ago a small company in Freeport Maine based on an iconic Maine Hunting Shoe gave this creative girl from California an amazing opportunity when they hired me as an art director. That began my 20 year career at L.L.Bean. 

Sadly, Leon Gorman, who transformed his grandfather's small business L.L.Bean into a premier American brand and global retailer, died recently of cancer at 80. Leon's vision, unwavering commitment to quality and a 100% guarantee on every product sold, along with his love of Maine and the outdoors made him an inspiration to all of us who were honored to work beside him, everyday. 

Thank you Leon, for all you gave to us.

Every Day in May #30 and Catching Up








Every Day in May #30—a bird feeder
I continue to feed and enjoy my birds, but have developed a system that works for all of us. The feeder stays empty for a few days while we all take a break. When it is finally refilled they are back. Fascinating and hungry as ever...and they are everywhere.

Every Day in May—Catching Up 
Falling behind, I managed to fill a page of challenges last night after recovering on the couch from a long one year anniversary 15 mile Camino walk around Portland. 
With sketch book on my lap looking around the living room:
#10 Something I turn on and off 
#17 Something used for measuring 
#21 A place I sit to read 
#22 Something attached to a wall in my home  
#23 An interesting detail of a building (still on couch)....and of course my BIRDS!!!!

Every Day in May—#14, #15 & #18


Every Day in May #18—Lipstick
I never leave the house without wearing lipstick. I even brought lipstick on the 500 mile "Camino de Santiago" walk across Spain. Every morning, for 32 days, I would pull on my boots, hoist a pack on my back, apply my bright red lipstick and set forth on another days adventure. It truly was a Buen Camino!


Every day in May #15—Something I would give/throw away
I bought these shoes for an event a year ago. I keep them because the are so darn cute, but frankly I can’t even get beyond the front door. Extremely high heel, extremely pointy toe and extremely painful.
I have been dragging this bracelet around since sometime in the nineties. Big gaudy rhinestones on a big fake gold band. Did I really wear this…
They are both—OUT!


Every Day in May #14—Something I use everyday
My keys with the "carabiner organizing system" that makes perfect sense...to me...

Every Day in May #9, #11 and #13




Every Day in May #13—The last thing I bought
Beautiful bracelets handmade in Maine by "The Ropes".
Colorful and fun to wear especially with my grandmother's gold chain bracelet. Each piece is made from elements of the working waterfront—authentic marine ropes, dock line and hardware. I love them!!!



Every Day in May #11—A hat, cap or headgear

This fabric scrunchie is "running headgear". It is made from brightly colored 1/2" fabric strips knotted onto an elastic band which took hours to make. I twist it around my hair and wear it when I run.


Every Day in May #9—something with an interesting label
Neighbors Meghan Tippit Gaven and her husband own the The Honey Exchange in Portland Maine. Their business is like a “ Honey Bee Hub” supporting local beekeepers who sell their honey, beeswax products, and other products of the hive and educating all of us about the importance of honey bees for the planet. We have hives here in Willard Beach tucked into fruitful “ bee friendly” backyards around the hood. I was given a precious jar of “Ocean Breeze Honey Bees” honey. Raw and unfiltered it crystallized in my honey bear container, but as the jars says, just heat it up and it is delicious!!!

Every Day in May #2 & #3


Every Day in May #3—Curtains
I've gotten behind...stumped by curtains. I mentioned this to a friend and she suggested prayer flags. I happened to have and hung them on my shutters. 
Day #4...I'm on it...

Every Day in May #2—draw a tree
Sometimes things just turn out a mess…like this Magnolia tree and Forsythia which are pretty much the only things blooming in Maine. But it’s a sketch a day and as Scarlett O’Hara said "After all, tomorrow is another day” ...and another sketch.

Every Day in May #1—Favorite Food


Every year, I attempt the "Every Day in May” sketch challenge except last year when my challenge was to walk every day in May across Spain… 
It is clearly a challenge to draw and post everyday, but the list makes it easier because the drawing subject is already decided. It's great fun to be part of a daily worldwide drawing community as I sit here in Maine watching spring finally unfold.
So here I go again. Every Day in May #1—Favorite Food
Now what tree should I draw tomorrow...

Tools of my new trade


I have temporarily given up my drawing and painting tools for hammers, screwdrivers and drills as my sister and I have been proudly using the garage full of tools we inherited from our beloved late father to do renovations on our mom’s new home. My sister and I looked at each other and said "we can do this” and we have. 
We have installed all new light fixtures, dimmer switches, all new door handles, towel bars and the largest, heaviest TV on the planet onto a wall after finding the studs and screwing in the giant 3” bolts with the longest drill bit I have ever seen…and then we started on the unfriendly Arizona landscape…ouch!
Maybe someday I will draw again…