If you are from Midcoast Maine, know about local Maine artists or have an affinity children’s book authors who also illustrate their own work, you have probably heard of Dahlov Ipcar. After 99 years of creative life, Ipcar passed on February 10, 2017. She was painting that morning. Dahlov was such an inspiration in my childhood that her passing has made me very reminiscent.
My first job was as Page in the Children’s Room at the Patten Free Library. I remember being a child and sitting in the Children’s Room and it felt so big and bright and colorful with its antelopes, cheetahs and zebras prancing across the big walls. That was the beginning of my appreciation of Dahlov Ipcar.
I was so thankful that after construction was done and many updates to the functionality of the library were improved the vivid mural was still hung throughout the Children’s Room walls.
The Ipcar presence is strong in Bath, Maine. The statue in Library Park – “The Spirit of the Sea” was done by Dahlov Ipcar’s father, William Zorach. It’s a landmark in Maine that is known to people from all over the country. With Dahlov’s mural hanging in the Children’s Room and her books available for checkout from the library, you can be completely absorbed and inspired by the creativity of this family.
Lisa-Marie’s has carried Dahlov’s children’s books for many years. Sometimes we are even lucky enough to have a book signing with the author and/or illustrator. In Dahlov’s case, she is both. Dahlov was doing book-signings well into her 80’s and though they became fewer and further between she was able to come to Lisa-Marie’s. Once, Andy even picked her up at her home in Georgetown and drove her into Bath. While she was signing, she requested a piece of good chocolate to help her through the signing – something Lisa-Marie was pleased to provide. Lisa-Marie’s still carries a variety of Dahlov’s children’s books
We are thankful for the fond memories that we shared with Dahlov and for the the many wonderful books and paintings that she left us to enjoy for generations to come.
~Marie
