Here's That Fence Again

Mist and Trees, September Morn

Bright September Sunshine on Lake Leelanau

Some professional painters and photographers are disappointed on bright, sunny days. They prefer the more subtle moodiness of fog or mist, gleaming rain and threatening skies. I like all that but must confess that I found Monday's sunshine more than welcome after a string of moody days. The world was washed clean and bright, and all its edges, those of water and of plants and animals, seemed to tingle and jump for joy -- metaphorically speaking, that is -- in the stillness of a calm September evening, every tiny detail a miracle of beauty.

Beyond the Marina, Across the Bay

Backyard Color, Mid-September

The bright sunrise (before the cloudy morning) reminded me to look around for more bright colors.

Portrait: Majda

Again with Those Wild and Crazy Turkeys!

Portrait: Tom

Portraits: Kathleen, Charlie

I am finally overcoming my shyness about photographing people (only when they are willing to be photographed, of course), and these two friends gave me permission to post their portraits here. The setting was David's one-man show of new paintings at the Old Art School Building in Leland, Michigan, at the opening on August 23. If my Photoshop program would cooperate, I would crop the photo of Charlie to get rid of that black along the right side, but I'm happy with the faces, and the subjects liked their portraits, too.

Caribbean Colors Up North

A friend weary of earth tones went tropical with her color scheme.

The choices are unusual for northern Michigan, 

but the happy colors make people smile.