Shadows On Mosquito Beach

"Shadows On Mosquito Beach"

7"x5" Original Watercolor On Paper

SOLD

Several years ago now, my father and I backpacked a section of the Pictured Rocks Lakeshore Trail in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. One particular morning we had our breakfast on Mosquito Beach (not nearly as terrible as it sounds!) and enjoyed the view of Lake Superior. 

I was digging through my photo references and found this scene from that particular morning. It's been 8 or 9 years now, almost to the day, that we made that trip and I was first inspired to paint this.

Have A Marvelous Labor Day Weekend Everyone!

Grand Portal

"Grand Portal" 

8"x10" Original Watercolor And Pen On Paper 

Available soon at Fuzzy Boyak Welcome Center in Munising! 

This was an interesting painting to do. With the rocky cliff taking up most of it, I tried to make it interesting. The rock along the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is beautiful and full of colors from all the minerals. This brave little kayaker ventured out into Lake Superior to get a closer look. 

Happy Hikers

"Happy Hikers" 

7"x5" Original Watercolor And Pen On Paper

Available soon at Fuzzy Boyak Welcome Center In Munising! 

I really enjoy hiking and going for walks in the woods. It's peaceful and calming to me. It also fills me with inspiration and if I've brought my sketchbook or camera along I come home with a wealth of material for paintings. 

A few years ago my father and I hiked a part of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Trail. We made it from the beginning at Munising Falls to Chapel Beach. The whole trail is 40 some miles long and I believe we covered about a third of it in 2 days. Some day I want to go back and finish it but in the mean time I enjoy visiting the highlights of the trail by doing day hikes. 

In the painting above, these campers are in for the long haul and are dutifully headed to their next camp for the night. 

Happy Memorial Day! 

East Channel Lighthouse

"East Channel Lighthouse"

5"x7" Original Watercolor And Pen On Paper

Available soon at the Fuzzy Boyak Welcome Center in Munising, MI

I've been painting a lot of lighthouses lately haven't I? Must be on a kick. 

This one is the East Channel Light on Grand Island, just off the coast from Munising in Lake Superior. It is no longer a functioning lighthouse, as the light was reportedly hard to see from out on the Lake. Other lighthouses were erected nearby and this one fell into a state of disrepair. 

It's still quite pretty to me though, and sits quietly in it's spot along the shoreline. You can see it if you take the Pictured Rocks Cruises that depart from Munising or the Glass Bottom Boat Tour. 

Chapel Rock

"Chapel Rock" 

5.5"x8" Original Watercolor And Pen On Paper 

$12.00 

                                      

I did this little painting last night as a card image I plan to sell this summer at the Munising Bay Arts Association. I was invited to join them this summer so now you can find my work there too! 

Chapel Rock is located along the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. It is one of my favorite spots to hike out to. And if you're tired by the time you get here you can dip your feet in Lake Superior. 

This painting was done in my journal so it's not on heavy duty paper like most of my paintings are. But if you'd like it, just click on the "Buy Now" button and I'll ship it right out to you! 

Happy Cinco de Mayo! 

Insight

I thought maybe I would try something new and try to actually show you how I work.  I took this little video while I was working on a painting yesterday afternoon. It is by no means of professional quality but I hope it is interesting to you. 

The painting featured in the video clip is one that I am working on for Old Park City Gallery in Republic MI. My husband and I took a trip a few weeks ago to Munising and hiked out to Mosquito Beach on the Pictured Rocks trail. We ate lunch on a rock at the Mosquito River mouth and even made a chipmunk friend. Now, I know what you're thinking..."Mosquito Beach? Why would anybody EVER go there???" I assure you, at this time of year, with the winds coming off of Lake Superior there are ZERO mosquitoes. In fact, there aren't any bugs at all. It's a beautiful stretch of beach and a wonderful spot for an afternoon picnic. 

I'm still working on the painting and will post again when it is finished.