"Skywatcher" (2021)

Jamie Hogan 80 IL (she/her)

Skywatcher (2021)

Pastel on sanded paper with charcoal line
18.5 x 11.5 inches

This illustration appeared in my picture book, Skywatcher, published in October 2021 by Tilbury House Publishers. The spark for a story about a boy who can't see the stars came from a local newspaper article about Maine parks seeking Dark Sky status. Developing the idea while learning about light pollution became my focus for a couple of years, while juggling other deadlines. As an avid moon gazer, I was delighted to use my Maine habitat as the backdrop for the starry destination.