For research for "The Train to Maine,” I traveled by train to Down East Maine, where I gathered visual references and sketched the Maine coast. I was incredibly inspired by the breathtaking views of coastal Maine and the wonderful people I encountered along the way. I found the Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth to be particularly inspiring. I visited this location many times at different times of the day for light references, and incorporated it into several scenes in the book. And the quaint scenery surrounding the Portland docks and boats, full of fishing nets and lobster traps, inspired me to entwine the entire last scene of the book in a fishing net.

To help me visualize the story, I read the manuscript several times, making thumbnail sketches of ideas in the borders as I went. I then formed a storyboard, and worked out the best flow and pacing for the images and text. I often do not know how an image will turn out when I begin sketching, but rather the details of the scene unfold as I sketch. Although this discovery phase of the work is one of my favorite processes of illustration, perhaps my greatest joy is trying to capture different emotions with each painting I create. I don’t really have a sense of how to begin a painting until I establish its mood. This process usually begins with compiling a CD for each painting, as music is one of my primary inspirations. In “The Train to Maine,” I attempted to capture a wide range of emotions, from those of peaceful tranquility to the excitement of adventure.

The daydream portion of the story presented some interesting challenges for me as an illustrator. I decided to create five family members—one for each anticipatory thought—and allow each to have his/her own version of a daydream of the upcoming trip. I think it is important to tell separate, parallel stories in the illustrations that are not in the text. I think children notice subtle details in illustrations, and enjoy these additional visual storylines that they can discover for themselves.

I thoroughly enjoyed researching and immersing myself in the history and imagery of Maine, and each scene of the book ultimately became a world that I escaped into with my characters. The poetry and train trips to Down East Maine also inspired me to escape into the imagery of a romantic, family Maine vacation, which helped me evoke a sense of magic and adventure throughout the illustrations.

The Train to Maine is available here.