After my busy summer of painting and artwork production, it was time to take a breather. My husband Tom and I took an overnight trip to the Traverse City area. I always find that being away from home (telephone, computer, and housework) rejuvenates me. What fun to shop after dark on the busy streets of TC and indulge in one of my favorite pastimes: people watching.

During our drive through the rolling hills of the Leelanau Peninsula, the autumn colors were spectacular—how lucky we were to be there at peak color season! We wound our way home by way of US31—Elk Rapids and its art galleries, the Friske Orchard, an exhibit at the Charlevoix Circle of Arts. But there’s something about the first sighting of the Mackinac Bridge that makes my heart beat a little faster and brings a completion to the trip. Ahh…home at last, inspired to get back to work with new ideas and a calm spirit!

One of my favorite activities this past summer was to sit in front of Victorian Summer Gallery on Mackinac Island and do painting demonstrations. As people stopped by to watch me paint and ask questions about my artwork, we also talked about their own art experiences. I met many wonderful people this way. Some of them are featured on my website on the page called WHAT’S NEW?

My book, MACKINAC ISLAND MEDITATIONS, continues to be a bestseller on the island and through my website. People buy it for themselves, read it, and then come back for multiple copies to give to family and friends. If you’re looking for a gift that is inspirational and will bring back memories of beautiful Mackinac Island, this book might be just what you’re looking for. Its 32 pages are illustrated with my watercolor paintings of Mackinac Island scenes. Each page has a painting, Bible verse, meditation, and prayer. SPECIAL SALE IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER: BUY FIVE BOOKS AT THE REGULAR PRICE OF $14.95 (PLUS 6% SALES TAX FOR MICHIGAN RESIDENTS), AND GET THE SIXTH BOOK FREE! FREE SHIPPING, TOO! Ordering information is on my website.

I’ve just completed a commissioned house portrait, and what fun it was to work with the owner to include just what she wanted in the painting – even George, a tamed seagull that gets fed every day from the porch!

Now it’s time to design my 2009 Christmas card. This has been a tradition of mine since 1998. I send my new card to family and friends, and people tell me they look forward to receiving my handmade card each year and even collect them from years past. I offer my cards from previous years for sale on my website.

This is the time of year when reorganizing seems to be on everyone’s mind. My tiny studio gets so much use during the busy season and things just don’t get put away. It took a couple of days last week to put things into their proper cubbyholes. In January I’ll dig deeper, but for now this will do. I’m afraid that the before and after photos look too much alike to be terribly impressive, so I’ve only shown one. Is it before, or is it after???

I’ve been invited to speak this month to the Mackinaw Woman’s Club about how my art career has evolved. This group does a lot of work to benefit the people of our village, and it will be my pleasure to hear more about their noteworthy community projects.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

My Studio