My husband just finished performing as Mordcha the Innkeeper in Fiddler on the Roof with the Grand Rapids Players. For months, he let his hair and beard grow to create an authentic character. Needless to say, when the show finished, he was he eager to shave it off and get … Read More
Some mornings are magical. The morning dawned sunny and delicious, after soaking rains the night before. We were invited to paint on private property and what a delight it was. Our group of eight spread out across the grounds to paint barns, gardens, and this stunning view of the lake. … Read More
I’ve been painting en plein air for about ten years now. Maybe that’s why I was a little inattentive as I ventured out this morning to meet with our local group of painters for this first time this season. I packed my supplies the night before, and had everything in … Read More
As a plein air artist, I have struggled between creating paintings that record my experience and creating artwork from place. I finally have a name for the way I have been sketching, thinking about my experience of nature and inquiry – Nature Journaling! I am far from the first to … Read More
This month, we are meeting at the Grand Rapids Area Public Library on June 14th from 9am-12pm. The library sits along the edge of the Mississippi with a walking path that runs from downtown to the Veteran’s Memorial Park. There are pedestrian footbridges, views of the paper mill (if you … Read More
A right of passage for classical atelier training includes copying Bargue Studies. Created by Charles Bargue and Jean-Léon Gérôme and published between 1866 and 1871, over 197 lithographs were printed as individual sheets for aspiring artists to copy until 1911 when the firm reproducing the lithographs was dissolved. Now compiled … Read More
Come to downtown Grand Rapids from 4 – 7 pm for a free, family-friendly community celebration of art and creativity. I am excited to announce that I am participating in my hometown’s First Friday Art Walk (for the first time!), October 4th from 4-7 pm at Project Care (100 NW … Read More
Three weeks ago, I packed my Prius and headed north on I-25, rolling over the hills and plains of Wyoming, South Dakota and North Dakota, traveling 500 miles. Just before I reached Canada, I turned east and drove another 500 miles. Gradually the prairie gave way to clusters of trees, … Read More
Sitting in a grain truck, ten feet off the ground, I watch the sun set though a bank of storm clouds. Dust drifts through the air, kicked up by two combines moving in tandem across a field of wheat. A feeling of gratitude washes over me, while I simultaneously sense … Read More
In mid July, I was gathering my things for another yurt trip. After a fun adventure in June, I booked a second trip. This time, Andrea Gabel and I were planning a three night getaway to paint in the wilderness of State Forest State Park. We were excited about the … Read More