CURRENT PROJECTS

June, July, and August are always busy production months for me: making cards and prints from originals, putting together orders for retail shops in Northern Michigan, as well as filling orders for friends and website customers keeps me occupied. I’ve barely had time to create new artwork, but a commission I did last month was quite interesting. A customer requested a composition of her favorite memories of Mackinac Island. She loves swans, Round Island Lighthouse, and lilacs—could I put them all into the same painting? Of course! That’s what I love about being a painter rather than being a photographer—I can add or delete to customize the artwork!

Lilacs are long gone, and geraniums seem to be the favored flower right now here in Northern Michigan. Everywhere you look there are window boxes, planters, and pots full of the lovely blooms in red, white, and pink. Aren’t they just the most cheery among flowers? You can find lots of them on my website: www.maryloupeters.com. My “Geranium Trio” original paintings (frame size 5 ½” x 10 ½”) with a triple opening white mat, would look cute on the wall of any room in the house. These are made to order: you may customize the geranium color, the pot color, and the frame color. All mats are white to match the watercolor paper. Price is $75.00 and shipping is free. Call me with your custom order and it will be delivered in four weeks: 231-627-8069.

FEED YOUR SOUL

Customers frequently ask me if I do art shows. I quickly answer, “NO!” I’ve done one and that was enough for me. It was a craft show early in my career (remember decoupage?) and that day I made $13 and got the worst sunburn of my life. I swore then I’d never do another art show. Participants have to battle the elements not to mention doing all the packing, set-up, re-packing, inventory, and re-stocking. But I do love being a spectator and just wandering among the tents at art shows seeing what artists have to offer. Summer is the time to do that—I’ve attended several this season, and still have a month of possibilities to feed my soul!

A hundred-year-old inn is the setting for a special tea party I will attend soon. As we are served, we will paint our table service and sweet treats in our watercolor sketchbooks. It promises to be an afternoon of pampering and fun—a way to feed my soul as well as my tummy!

MACKINAC ISLAND MEDITATIONS

I’ve had a few customers tell me that they keep a copy of my book as a “just in case” gift: it’s handy as a hostess gift, a get-well wish, a glad-you’re-here surprise, or a last minute I-forgot-it-was-Aunt-Suzy’s-birthday gift. Find copies at your local bookstore Up North or order from my website and I’ll sign and personalize them for you if you let me know the name and occasion: www.maryloupeters.com.