SOBO

Looking for something to do on this wonderful Saturday? Come see all of the artists participating in the SOBO Arts Festival in Boyne City! It's a beautiful day to be near the lake celebrating the arts!

I'll see you there! 

www.soboartsfestival.com 

Upcoming SOBO Art Festival

Sorry I haven't been posting.  The truth is this place is a mad house lately. My husband and I are moving and packing up takes seemingly forever. I'm also preparing for the SOBO Arts Festival on the 28th. It's held in Boyne City and there are many fabulous artists attending. Please come!

The images are of some local lake paintings I did. I've made them into 4"x4" tiles and will be selling them at the festival. They'd be great for a kitchen backslash, a hot plate, coasters or just for display. 

Frozen Bay Minis

"Frozen Bay #2"

2.5"x3.5" Original Watercolor and Pen 

"Frozen Bay #1"

2.5"x3.5" Original Watercolor and Pen 

Here are a few more additions to my series "100 Tiny Views Of Lake Michigan." 

In stark contrast to our vibrant summer, these paintings only used 2 or 3 colors. 

I can't say that I miss winter yet. I'm enjoying the sun. Yet, the series wouldn't be complete without the heaps of snow that line the shore 4 months out of the year. 

Beach Path

"Beach Path" 

5"x7" Original Watercolor and Pen 

Available by clicking here. 

Who doesn't love a day at the beach? 

This painting is from several of my reference pictures from the Sturgeon Bay Dunes area along Lake Michigan. 

Dud

"Twilight On 119"

7"x5" Original Watercolor and Pen 

Sometimes the project you're working on just doesn't turn out like you want. It's a dud despite all of your best intentions. 

This painting, for me, is a dud. 

I thought "Oh how cool would it be if I painted 119 at sunset?" well....it might be a cool idea but I'm gonna have to try again cause this isn't it. 

On a brighter note;

 HAPPY FATHERS DAY TO ALL THOSE GREAT DADS OUT THERE! 

Mim's Mediterranean Grill

"Mims Mediterranean Grill" 

5"x7" Original Watercolor And Pen 

Mim's is one of my favorite places to eat in Petoskey. Located just north of town, it's hard to miss with its bright exterior. The staff who work here are just as vibrant and the food.....mmmmmm......delicious!

View From Bills Farm Market

"View From Bill's Farm Market"

5"x7" Original Watercolor And Pen 

To purchase, please visit my Daily Paintworks Gallery 

(slide-show on right side)

Whoo! Just making it in under the wire today! 

This is the view of the Petoskey country side out on Mitchell Street near Bills Farm Market. It's gorgeous scenery 360 degrees around. The hills go on forever it seems. And all of the shades of green! 

Lake Michigan Sunset Minis

"Lake Michigan Sunset #1"

2.5"x 3.5" Original Watercolor And Pen 

"Lake Michigan Sunset #2"

2.5"x 3.5" Original Watercolor And Pen 

I struck me the other day as I was looking through the mini paintings I've completed for my series "100 Tiny Views Of Lake Michigan," I didn't have any sunset paintings. People love the sunsets over Lake Michigan! They drive for MILES to watch the sun set over the water. 

So....I decided to rectify that and paint a couple. My tiny paintings are not nearly as stunning as some of the actual sunsets I have witnessed but I hope they come close. I enjoy all of the colors that creep into the sky at the end of the day. Especially over the water. 

Today is my husband's birthday! We're having a cook out! 

Happy Birthday Hun! Love you! 

Little Sable Lighthouse Mini

"Little Sable Lighthouse"

3.5"x 2.5" Original Watercolor And Pen 

Following along with yesterday's post I will continue the lighthouse tour with Little Sable Lighhouse. 

Little Sable Light is located just south of Silver Lake State Park. This lighthouse reminds me of a fairy-tale Rapunzel type tower. It looks awkward to me standing there alone on the beach. 

This painting is included in my series "100 Tiny Views Of Lake Michigan"

Big Sable Lighthouse Minis

"Big Sable Light" 

3.5"x 2.5" Original Watercolor And Pen 

"Big Sable Storm" 

2.5"x 3.5" Original Watercolor And Pen 

I felt like adding a few more to my ongoing series "100 Tiny Views Of Lake Michigan." This time I headed down the coastline a bit to the Ludington area. Big Sable Lighthouse is located inside of Ludington State Park along the Lake Michigan shore. You can read more about it by clicking here. 

I've also started to do a bit more research about venues for this series of paintings. Suggestions are welcome! I'm looking fore several places along Lake Michigan. 

10 days down in my 100 Day Project! 90 more to go!

Sweetheart Lilacs

"Sweetheart Lilacs" 

7"x5" Original Watercolor And Pen On Paper

I woke up one morning last week to find that my husband had cut a bouquet of lilacs for me. He had also made breakfast. Is there any better way to start the day?

 (No he hadn't done anything terrible. I checked.) 

The following days our apartment was filled with the perfumed scent of lilac. I LOVE that smell. It's a comforting scent of summer. Much like Lily of the Valley. 

Sadly, the lilacs wilted away and I finally had to toss them yesterday. I decided to preserve their memory in a painting. I seriously considered spritzing it with lilac scented body spray. Too much? 

Petoskey Open House

Friday night was Petoskey's Open House. Their kick off for the summer season. I positioned myself outside of Northgoods and did a little painting. I met lots of very nice people. Thanks for stopping by! 

  Jerry was exceptionally popular with his face painting. Some folks waited quite a long time. But it was worth it.

"Relaxed By The Bay"

5"x7" Original Watercolor and Pen 

This Painting Is Available At Northgoods In Petoskey 

I don't always need a reference to go by. Some of my paintings are straight from my memory. Or something close to it anyway. It was fun painting this. I had forgotten over the winter how it's slightly different painting on my easel than it is at my table. Gravity has more of an affect and I had to keep catching my paint before it bled into a different section. The final result is available at Northgoods in Petoskey. Click on the link under the picture to go to their website. 

North On 119

"North On 119" 

7"x5" Original Watercolor And Pen 

M-119 is a huge draw to the area in the spring when the trilliums are blooming and in the autumn when the leaves all turn. I however enjoy it just as much in the summer months. There's less people driving along it and it allows you to take it all in. 

M-119 or "The Tunnel Of Trees" runs from Harbor Springs Michigan up to Levering Michigan. It's a beautiful twisty turny drive along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Make sure you have time to truly enjoy it and maybe stop in Goodhart for a snack at their general store. (They have pie!)

Through The Trees

"Through The Trees" 

5"x7" Original Watercolor And Pen On Paper

                                                         

The tunnel of trees is now green and lush. So very different from only a month ago when we were beginning to wonder if it was ever going to get warm. 

Beach Friends

"Beach Friends"

5"x7" Original Watercolor And Pen On Paper

                                            

A problem some of us are struggling with here in Northern Michigan. It's 80+ degrees out but the lakes are still too cold to swim in. So instead we pack up a bag and head to the beach to stare longingly at the water.

Soon enough! 

Geranium View

"Geranium View"

5"x7" Original Watercolor And Pen On Paper

                                           

I enjoy taking strolls around town now that the weather is enjoyable. On Monday it rained quite a bit and it broke the humidity. So on Tuesday I went for a leisurely stroll through Bay View and down to the lake shore. 

There is a little dead end road there and the name of it escapes me. But down at the end there is a low stone wall with pots of geraniums set out. Several chairs are aimed to look out over the bay and it's really all quite cheerful.

Also, I apologize if you signed up for my monthly newsletter and have not received the one for June. I had some troubles with my program and it skipped several people on the list. However, I do not know which ones got it and which didn't.  If you would like to receive it please let me know and I will send you a copy! 

Sunrise

"Sunrise"

5"x7" Original Watercolor On Paper

                                              

One of the other unusual phenomenons I witnessed while in the U.P. over Memorial Day was a sunrise. I know, I know, to some of you this is no big deal what-so-ever but I am NOT a morning person. If I could set my personal schedule to noon to midnight I would.

 I love sleep. 

But it was beautiful, all of the colors in the sky and water. Totally different from a sunset and I hope I captured that in this painting. 

The Sky Is Awake

"The Sky Is Awake" 

5"x7" Original Watercolor And Pen On Paper

                                

It's amazing when you get away from the city lights and the over glow of surrounding towns. Up in the U.P. over Memorial Day weekend Tanar and I were really honestly able to watch the stars.

 It takes your breath away. 

I tried a little experiment with this painting. I painted the colors of the sky first, blending the paints together the way I wanted and then while it was still wet I sprinkled on some salt. It's just table salt and you could do this at home but I really enjoy the effect. 

This is closer detail of it. You can see where the salt broke up the pigment. Cool huh? 

98 more to go in my 100 day project!

100 Day Project

"Arch Rock"

7"x5" Original Watercolor And Pen On Paper

Available soon at Mackinac's Little Gallery on Mackinac Island! 

While I was at the Mining The Art Festival over Memorial Day weekend I met a few women who really inspired me. One of them introduced me to the idea of the 100 Day Project.

"It can be anything" she told me. Intrigued, I asked more and she produced her personal project. Every day for 100 days she had made a special luggage tag. The theme of them had gone along with that particular day, her birthday, Christmas, a cookout etc. 

I decided I'm going to attempt my own "100 Day Project." I'm going to paint and post for 100 consecutive days. I believe this will help me to focus and remain committed to my art and hopefully I will emerge enlightened in some way. 

To kick things off here is my first painting. 

99 more to go!