Blog

Up early and out the door to paint the dunes at the No. 9 Overlook on Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. Even though it was a sunny morning, the wind was brisk and I did little more than make a good start on the first plein air sketch of the day. Met a lot of park visitors, however, who accommodated me by taking action photos with my camera. Reminded me of the last time I painted in this spot when I was Artist In Residence for Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore in 2009.

Drove around the park, revisited Tweddle Farm where I lived during the AIR, and debated having lunch with friends I knew would be meeting up at Joe's Friendly Tavern in Empire. In the end I opted for a home-cooked meal at the cottage. From there I headed out to the beach at the end of Good Harbor Trail.

Later on I returned to the site where I'd painted last evening. The light was just as great and I'd post a pic of the road and meadow with shadows I painted but I'll show you another time. I'm just a bit tired ....

I drove up from Frankfort around 11 a.m. this morning. It turned out the cottage I'd been invited to use for the next few days didn't have a fridge or cooking facilities. What to do with the food I'd brought along? Well, I decided this nice little spot just wasn't right for me. In the process I also realized I wanted more than 3 days to paint in this beautiful place. (The weather and light are absolutely gorgeous--clear and golden.) So, after a bit of looking around, I found a cottage to rent for week on a small lake not too far from the Big Lake (Michigan). Yippee—here I am with nothing to do but whatever I want whenever I want! Pictured here is Painting #1. A sunny scene in Port Oneida. I don't usually paint houses but I couldn't resist the sun on the white clapboard. After this quick sketch I hiked up amazing Pyramid Point. Because I have a great job ....

Frankfort Bluff Late Summer

For one reason and another I don't paint outdoors as much as I used to—at least not in the summer. These days my Studio & Gallery keep me busy during "the season" which means much of the creative work I do in the summer takes place indoors. Don't get me wrong—in no way do I feel deprived. There are plenty of opportunities to paint en plein aire once the seasonal visitors have gone home.

Last week, for example, I found myself down on the Frankfort pier making this painting of the bluff. Sun shining brightly with a few wispy clouds, it was a perfect day. So much so that I vowed to paint again that afternoon. This time it was off to the fishing bridge on the Betsie River. Basking in the golden sun of late afternoon, I reveled in responding to the glints of light bouncing off the grasses and water.

At the end of the day I declared myself pleased with these efforts. Since I have recently been painting in quite large formats, I enjoyed the contrast of painting smaller pieces. Rather than pushing some aspect toward abstraction, it was fun to simply play in the realm of realism. Painting in the vast, random outdoors, one forfeits the control that can be exerted in the studio but I'm reminded of how lively is can be to simply mess around with the paint. Such tremendous blessings in this gift I've been given!

A few months ago I was invited to spend time in a small cottage on the edge of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. I finally have the time to take advantage of the invitation and I head up there tomorrow. It's looking like the weather will be glorious over the 3 days of this private residency. I intend to be outdoors as much as possible, listening to the voice of my Muse as she reminds me: Live in this moment! Catch the light as you can! Give thanks for whatever the day brings! Happy Autumn! And so it is .....

Betsie River Beauty