Tuesday, August 7, 2018

Postcards from the Lake: Art Camp Begins!

Perhaps we shouldn't call it art camp. There are only two of us -- my friend, Kate, and me. There wouldn't be room for more. And it's not at a camp, it's at my cottage. But art -- yes, loads of art. And walking, swimming, reading, eating, talking... all that. And more art.


We took off on a Saturday morning and eleven days later rolled into home, just in time to vote in the primary. In between, non-stop art and fun.


Our venue, the cottage, offered a ringside seat to perfect sunsets. The water was warm enough for a good swim. And the weather divine.


Time for super photo-ops!


Well, most of the time it was divine! One big storm added to the sound effects and gloom, but then we take to the books! (This was taken from the porch and with the zoom so funky screen action going on here!


After, big puddles. And mosquitoes on our walks!


Our friend, Gretchen, who lives in nearby Mancelona, came over one day for lunch and chat.


There were a few homely activities to tend to -- a tree was uprooted and needed to be removed. The tree-guy's truck "ate it" in a heartbeat. Hard to believe this tall tree could be fed into this reasonably small truck!


And when my neighbor saw me working on getting weeds out of the beach, he offered some assistance. Big assistance!


Look, mom! No weeds!


We had some wonderful dinners, overloading on salads made with greens and produce from the farmer's market and loads of fruit, especially the beloved black cherries!


And a little wine, of course!


And if we were ever lacking on conversation (and we weren't) Lizzie was happy to chip in.


There were walks. Kate is hard core! I didn't go her miles but I gave it my best shot.


And we saw plenty of nature (to come) but this "sneak preview" of fall was a little disconcerting.


But mostly, it was all about the art. Kate was hard at work for her 2019 Calendar (it has an October printing date. Yikes!)


For me, finishing old projects.


Starting new ones.


And loads more to come!

Linking with:   Share Your Cup    

41 comments:

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Looks like a fun time with lots of creativity! Wish I was there! Hugs!

Joyful said...

Absolutely divine :-)

Susie said...

Jeanie, Doing art projects is always fun...but with a dear friend , it is so much better. I miss my art friend. Even my little granddaughter who used to do crafts with me. :( Great job on the tree and the beach. :) Blessings, xoxo, Susie

Pamela said...

I love the idea of art camp! It looks like a wonderful time.

Lynne said...

The word . . .
DEVINE
love
love
LOVE

Stacey said...

That looks like heaven to me!!

Misadventures of Widowhood said...

I love your "art camp" and the work it's producing. Cottages are a little piece of heaven on earth.

Annie Jeffries said...

Oh yay. It's lake time again. How I love enjoying your adventures there.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

What a great way to work on art projects. Sharing them with a friend can be ever so fun. I bet the two of you had fun creating. And to think that your friend is going to make (and possibly sell) a calendar must have been great, too.

What a GREAT neighbor. He sure helped get those weeds gone in no time at all.

Sounds like art camp was fun this year, as it has been in the past for the two of you.

My name is Erika. said...

Looks like a wonderful time. Your lucky to have such a good friend to have art camp with.:) And have a such a fantastic time with. Plus with the heat, you can always take dip and cool off. Happy times. Stay cool. Hugs-Erika

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

It looks like a perfect art retreat at tge lake with your hood friends, with a bit of house mauntenance thrown in. Love your watercolor!

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

What talented ladies you two are! Art camp sounds wonderful, and two is a great number!! :)
hugs,
Jann

Marilyn Miller said...

Your art camp every year just makes me, well I must say it, jealous. What fun all around. How I would love swimming in that lake, reading by that lake, and doing art by that lake. It all looks just too wonderful.

Valerie-Jael said...

Sounds like you girls are having a fantastic time - art, nature, good company and good food - who needs more? Continue to have fun! Hugs, Valerie

BeachGypsy said...

Now this looks like a wonderful time! Love all the pretty pictures, and you surely captured the place well as I almost can feel what it's like to be there! Goodness that salad and corn looks so delicious. I just love all the peeks at what you talented ladies are creating too.

AnnMarie aka Vintage Junkie aka NaNa said...

Art camp for two sounds great to me! Looks like fun.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

You art camp looks like fun, the lake cottage is beautiful. The sunset is gorgeous. Love the cute kitty. I love your canoe artwork. Beautiful.
Good neighbors are always wonderful. Happy Wednesday, enjoy your day!

La Table De Nana said...

Excellent:) Lovely paintings..lovely friends..and the water:)

Tristan Robin said...

Your week reads like a chapter in a novel about an 18th century Paris artist. Hard labor in the fields, walking home through peaceful nature, dining on fresh vegetables and wine - and then off to the garret to create! (How terrific to have neighbors to help out with the field laboring!)
It has been so unbearably hot and humid living-in-a-sauna this past week I don't mind the advance of autumn! A little neither-here-nor-there kind of weather I can deal with.
I'm truly envious of having a friend to work in the studio with. It's the one part of being an artisan I'm not crazy about - the hour after I spend alone. Just me and my TCM! Your Rick with Canoe painting is quite nice and I love your dwellingtrait is going to be just wonderful!
Thanks for sharing your week with us miserable stuck at home folks :P. It's nice living outside of New Haven this week - even if it's only for a few minutes vicariously!

Victoria Zigler said...

I actually like that you call it art camp. Even if more than art is involved, and there are only the two of you most of the time.

Art camp sounds fun! Good food, good company, and good progress on projects - art related and otherwise.

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

What could be better....the lake, friends, calm, art? The best summer for me.

Running on empty said...

To use an Aussie phrase, Heaven on a stick!

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...


WOw, that's an awesome neighbor, look at that stellar beach!

The watercolor of the house? So charming - beautifully done.

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I couldn't think of a better place to have 'camp' then the cottage. Beauty around you and it helps you be creative. What a fun time!!

The French Hutch said...

What a perfect summer getaway with a friend. It sounds so divine Jeannie! Love all the lake photos and what an awesome neighbor with the big machine. That sure saved you time and a back ache. The fun of sharing art time would be inspiring too. You really do summer right Jeanie!!!!

Sami said...

Beautiful art projects you've both been painting.
So kind of your neighbour to help out with the "weeding".
Keep on enjoying your summer days.

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

Oh, Jeanie. You make life into an art. Always such fun projects that you are involved in. Joy at the lake..xxoJudy

Red Rose Alley said...

How nice to share time with your friend at the lake, Jeanie. The sunset photos are so pretty. I wish I saw more sunsets, but since I'm a morning gal, I wake up to the glorious sunrises. That painting of the red boat is delightful. You're so talented, Jeanie. I hope you know that.

Hello there Lizzie. : )

~Sheri

Joanne Huffman said...

Art Camp is the perfect name - it's a very private art camp. I love seeing what you two do. Good friends making art in a beautiful place is the best way to spend time.

Sandra Cox said...

Your art camp sounds purrfect:)

William Kendall said...

It sounds like you had fun.

Rita C at Panoply said...

That's a dreamy life, in my opinion! So charming, so restful, so zestful!

Jackie McGuinness said...

I need to do more art projects, was just dreaming me up this morning.

IF you do plan to get to Stratford, let me know I could get down there for a meet up!

Jemma@athomewithjemma said...

Jeanie,
This is all perfection! Art, friends and a little wine! Always lovely to visit you and see the goodness, happiness and creativity that you share!
Jemma

Tracy said...

Such FUN to see what you've been doing, working on and making, Jeanie! I like the expression art camp... and it is a bit like summer camp for you & Kate! VERY fun! I admire how you do this very summer--time for friendship, fun, and expanding your art horizons! And fun to see Miss Lizzie enjoying herself too! I just love her dusty moustache! Looking forward to seeing more of your summer fun! :) ((HUGS))

Iris Flavia said...

Oh, wow, wow, WOW!
My smile grew bigger with every sentence, I kid you not!
You´re great artists, I nearly want to try myself (lack of talent, though ;-)...)
Those sunsets, sooo beautiful! Just the mossies, eww.
Gretchen sounds very German (do you know the tale of Hänsel and Gretel?).
That neighbour is plain awesome! And bet he had fun, too.
Aww, Lizzie sure is a model for great pics!
This was fun to read!

Pam Richardson said...

Jeanie, what a lovely time in your cottage. The life you have built there seems so relaxing and peaceful. Spending time with friends is so important and your activities would be perfect. Lunch looks fabulous! Happy Friday!

bj said...

OMGosh...how blessed ya'll are to have this talent...
I've been keeping up with your vacation and happenings on FaceBook and it sure looks like you had a blast....
Love all your photos

Lisbeth said...

How wonderfully relaxing it seems to be and so beautiful! Lucky you.

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

I love your art camp tradition. What a treat to spend time with a dear friend in a beautiful location doing something you love! I’m glad the weather mostly cooperated!!

Jellybeans Angel said...

Good friends, good food, good crafting, good weather, beautiful scenery who could ask more of a summer?

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