Postcards from the Lake: Art Camp

I can't remember how many years my friend Kate and I have headed north for a getaway we call "Art Camp." It's just the two of us and we work on our art projects for however long we are at the lake. Sometimes, a tutorial will be involved. Last year Kate taught me how to carve linoleum blocks and a few years ago, I showed her how to make a journal I'd learned about in a workshop.

But mostly, we sit at opposite ends of the table on the porch and do our own thing. This year she was working on her annual bird calendar, which is sold at some area galleries and the show we do with others at the holidays.

               

 

                              

I was focusing on my summer project -- practicing painting and drawing.

And work we did. For hours in the warm, northern Michigan air, taking breaks to 'go jump in the lake' or walk or read. Oh yes, and to enjoy wine, cheese, the fruit and veggies that are summer's bounty. (That's Rick's cheddar-jalapeno bread and boy, was it good!)

                   

We were joined one afternoon by three of our book club members, two of whom have moved up north, another who was visiting and headed back home.

We had planned on lunch (which was mighty delicious -- egg strata, salad and cherry pie, brought by Gretchen, for dessert.) And lots of talking!

But of course art was involved. Kitty prepped journal pages, Gretchen got motivated for some scrapbooking projects and Maura did her own art therapy, with a little watercolor that expressed a release of work tension!

There was Lizzie time, too. And Lizzie did the most amazing thing! She sat on our laps, and this never, ever happens. She sat voluntarily, actually jumped up on both of us, and settled in for a long cuddle.

I cannot tell you how elated I was! And I didn't want to move a muscle!

As the week drew to a close, we headed home. But I leave you with some of my work - and as usual, I share the good, the bad and the ugly. And you can decide which is which!

The Eiffel Tower is a favorite subject of mine. I've never really mastered it but this is the closest so far!

And Montmartre -- I've done this painting before in a smaller version. It's not quite right, but getting better!

Now, I an tell this is Rick. But it's not quite right, either. I don't have the face right. But I was very proud of the fingers.

Here are a couple of cat drawings. I'm very bad with cats -- but working on it. Both were done more or less from life -- mostly less, because as mentioned before, my model is only still when she sleeps.

I think she looks too much like a kitten in this one! A starving kitten!

Life at the lake.

It's oh, so good!