BLUE HILL, Maine — Author and art critic Carl Little of Somesville will launch his new book, “The Art of Francis Hamabe,” at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22,  at the Blue Hill Public Library. Little will give a brief talk at 5 p.m. The event is co-sponsored by the Blue Hill Library and Blue Hill Books. Books will be available for sale and signing by Little and Phyllis Hamabe.

“The Art of Francis Hamabe” covers the life and work of one of Maine’s most beloved artists, who was born in 1917 in Orange, N.J., to a Japanese father and Swedish mother. He served in World War II and attended the Rhode Island School of Design. Moving to Maine in 1947, Hamabe established himself as a sought-after painter, printmaker, ceramicist and puppeteer. He was the first art instructor at the Farnsworth Art Museum and later taught at the University of Maine at Machias. He also served as art director for Down East and Maine Life magazines and for the state’s first public television station in Orono.