Boston in 100 Words - Illustrating East Boston

Boston in 100 Words is an annual flash fiction event inviting local authors of all ages to submit essays of 100 words or less depicting life in their communities. I follow them on Instagram, so "raised my hand" when I saw a call for illustrators for the year's winning essays.  I love Boston, paint frequently in the city, and was interested in the challenge.  I was assigned an essay, and given a 7-day deadline.  Exciting! Turns out my essay was about East Boston... about which I knew very little.  So, a research trip, some design sketches, and off we went. 

 I loved the puzzle of putting together an illustration that did this lovely essay justice. What a fascinating place is East Boston (and how remiss have I been to just begin discovering it).  We found the Madonna, Queen of the Universe Shrine, pictured in the distance in my illustration.  Fascinating!  There are four floors built into the hillside including an underground chapel, and grotto. 

Here is the text of the winning essay, and some photos..as always, thanks for looking.  You know I love your comments.

Across the River

3RD PLACE YOUTH CATEGORY

I was born across the river, but I’m an Eastie kid through and through. Walking down the streets, you can hear folks from all over speaking languages ranging from Spanish to Vietnamese, and the older crowd chatting from their balconies in Italian. The aroma of arroz con pollo as you walk through town is enough to die, or rather, to live for. The rich sense of community everywhere—whether it’s a smile from someone you’ve never met, waving at someone from church, or spotting a primo de un primo who you haven’t seen in years—makes you feel warm and safe inside. 

 

Banner at Grove Hall Library

Turns out my essay was written by a 12 year old young woman!  I was so surprised.  The language is beautiful and its rhythm sophisticated. 

 Boston in 100 Words held an award ceremony at the Boston Public Library.  I was invited as one of the thirteen illustrators and anyone who wrote an essay was invited.  The thirteen banners were hung backwards, and the winning essays revealed one at a time.  It was a thrill for all those writers attending. There was even a class of 4th graders present!   Boston in 100 words is asking for submissions for this year's contest.  Maybe you will participate.  

 

Madonna, Queen of the Universe Shrine - 35' tall!

At the BPL Award Ceremony

Some process Photos, in random order. 

 

 

Book from One Sheet Paper - "Hare and Tortoise" 5 x 5 inches

Friends, hare and tortoise, chat about a contest one day while enjoying ice cream sodas.

 Every summer, I teach a couple of weeks of Art Studios for Children at North River Arts Society here in Marshfield, MA.  I love those weeks each summer working with young artists from 6 - 11 years old.  A few summers ago, I showed each student how to make a book from one large piece of paper.  They wrote their own stories, designed and illustrated each of the twelve pages and a cover. Then they made several strategic cuts to the original sheet of paper, and folded it into a book. This video shows the cutting and folding technique. 


 During the process, I taught my students a number of design considerations, including how to create the illusion of distance using size, temperature and placement.
My sample book resurfaced the other day as I was organizing.  I designed my own take on "The Hare and the Tortoise" as an example of the finished product.   Glad to have found the book.  Let me know what you think.

They lay out the course over hill and dale. The hare bounds off to a speedy start!

Confident Hare naps on the course while methodical Tortoise eventually passes him.  Hare bounds off again.

Overconfident Hare stops for a picnic as Tortoise again catches up.  Hare meanders ahead, Finish in sight.

Hare slowed to taunt Tortoise, who plods past and wins!  Photo op with the trophy.

The two friends celebrate with ice cream sodas.  Hare bemused, Tortoise ebullient. Friends to the end.