The Harvesters

This is one of those special moments in life where everything you see here in this painting came from my memory/imagination. No photo references, no plein air painting. However, the later would have been a ton of fun.
This painting will be for sale at the Traverse City Opera House this September. Remember to mark your calendars for Friday Sept 9th from 6-8pm for the Artists Reception! See you there!

Just Like Coming Home

This barn was painted using pictures a friend from the Sault sent me. I hope she enjoys the painting as I absolutely LOVED the material she sent me to use for this. It was a different barn scene which was nice.
This painting will be shown at my show in Traverse City this September and will also be included in my book "Simple Roots" available from blurb.com this November!

A Work In Progress

For the past few days I've had a little song stuck in my head. "Let's go fly a kite! Up to the highest height! Up to the atmosphere! Up where the air is clear!" I believe it's a song on Mary Poppins and I really have no idea why it suddenly came to me. At any rate, this painting is the result of that. It only took me the better part of the morning to do and I really like it. I haven't taken a picture of a work in progress for a while so I figured it was time for another. The painting will be for sale at The City Opera House in Traverse City in September. Come meet the artists at the reception on Friday September 9th from 6-8pm!

Finishing Up

I was on my way from Houghton Lake to Cadillac when I came across this scene. If the main road hadn't been closed, I never would of had to find my own way and therefore, never discovered the beautiful farming land in that area of the state. I wound for about two hours on backroads, trying to find my way on what should have been a 45 minute trip. Oh well, much good came out of it. This painting will be included in my Simple Roots series. It will also be shown at a show in September at the Traverse City Opera House. Come meet the artists on September 9th from 6-8pm! 

Country Comfort

I pass this barn every time I drive up to my parents. It's set back just off of Old 27 around Gaylord. It has intrigued me for months and I finally stopped to make a sketch and snap some pictures. The grounds are a bit run down and overgrown but the barn is still in pretty good repair. I believe it's even still in use though perhaps for nothing more than housing farm equipment. There was no livestock to speak of but there was acres and acres of golden hay fields past the fallen down fence waaaay off to the left. I plan on doing another painting from a different angle with those included. It was all very pretty and the colors were striking and quite bright to be found in nature. All around the barn was shrubs and weeds and it just had a very comfortable feeling. It will be included in my series Simple Roots. 

Kayaking with Grandpa

I was inspired to do this painting from a recent trip to Harbor Springs. I was walking down the street and passed in front of a grandfather and his grandson on their way to do some kayaking. I thought it looked like fun.
When I uploaded the photo I lost a lot of the coloring in the sand, lake and sky. I think I need to take a better picture!

Paddling A Mile A Minute

This year, for the forth year now, Indian River held a biathlon. My fiances family competed in it and I took pictures again. What can I say? Its more fun to watch! The energy these people have is amazing! The first man crossed the finish line in slightly over an hour!
So this painting is bound for a show at The City Opera House in Traverse City MI this September. I've been invited back for a group show and am quite excited about it. You should stop by and meet the artists! The show is up all month but the Meet The Artist Reception is Friday, September 9th from 6-8pm.  The Opera House is located on Front Street in downtown Traverse. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Bright Sunny Colors

This particular barn is located in Sault Ste. Marie MI. I noticed it several times while living there but it wasn't until a friend of mine sent me a picture of it did I really feel the need to paint it.
Now, I believe I may have gone overboard with the colors but it certainly does make the picture quite bright. I tried to go for a sunset feel but failed to pick a direction of light. There's shadows going every which way. Despite this, I love this painting. I still think it will be included in my barn series book.

Expansion

I put in work today at a wonderful little gallery in St. Ignace. It's called the Voyageur Trading Post and is run by two wonderful people. Many talented artists are showcased here. Stop by and browse as you enter the U.P.!

A painting of the St. Ignace Lighthouse. To buy please contact or visit The Voyageur Trading Post!

A Little Jam On Your Toast?

I recently went on a camping trip to the Keweenaw Peninsula with my fiance. We traveled all the way to the tip and stayed in Copper Harbor for a few nights exploring the lake shore, coves and the little oddities the town had to offer.
This little shop is called the "Jampot" and is located in Eagle Harbor. It's run by an order of monks and they make fantastic jam! The painting is to be included in my new series "Let's Do Lunch."