Artists' Retreat at Acorn Landing

Artists at 40 Mile Point Lighthouse

Hi!

What a wonderful experience this was!

Four other artists and I went up to Cheboygan and spent two days and three nights at an insanely comfortable Airbnb cottage called Acorn Landing.

I arrived ahead to make sure everything was ready. I needn't have worried. There just isn't room here to say enough good about our hosts and how well equipped the spacious cottage was. Everything we could possibly need was right there ready for us. Click HERE to view my walk-through video.

The retreat started as an experiment and I wanted to make sure it was memorable. Since my strong suit is cooking, I went all out with quiche and homemade muffins, crusty bread, pies, and a Country Gal breakfast complete with saussage gravy, grits, and biscuits.

Andre; Firemaker extraordinaire

We started our first evening with a sandwich and salad buffet with peach, apple, and pecan pie for dessert.

Then out to the fire pit to enjoy a crackling fire, thanks to Andre. Who knew we'd have an expert fire-maker among us!?

We five had a wonderful time just getting to know one another. Relaxed chatter filled the quiet air with stories of family, pets, and of course art.

Night sky - photo taken 4am at Acorn Landing

The next day saw us out on the deck doing a painting/learning session with our guest instructor, Janet Kondziela.

I will show you those when I get the images from the other artists.

Then an afternoon nap to rest up for a trip to Headlands International Dark Sky Park.

I would love to show you that but they discourage lights from smart phone cameras and I didn't know if I have a red-filter on mine.

So imagine this image of the sky at the cottage, but with a million times this many stars.

I am definitely GOING to paint THAT!

Morning At Mize Ranch 16"x16" Oil

I gave a talk on the luminous movement after breakfast the next morning and pointed out a couple of my favorite living artists who paint in the luminist style.

I showed how to create the illusion of light glowing through trees and from within objects.

Other topics included how to use a color checker and proportional divider.

Janet Kondziela sketching at 40 Mile Point Lighthouse

Then we headed out to 40 Mile Point Lighthouse to do some outdoor sketching/painting.

Janet's drawing of the lighthouse is exquisite. Once she has published the finished drawing, I'll include a link to it for you. She's really a remarkable teacher!

After exploring the beach and climbing up into the lighthouse, the rest of us were pretty much spent and decided to re-schedule the painting session in my studio for another time.

The lighthouse visit ended with a mini-lesson from Janet on perspective drawing!

I sent scads of food home with everyone, including the chicken quesadillas and Spanish rice we never got around to.

I always say it's better to over plan and have to skip something than not to plan enough.

I couldn't be more pleased with how my first experimental retreat turned out. The participants voted unanimously that we should do this again.

I heartily concur and already have another location in mind. I'll keep you posted.

My heart is full of birdsong. Go get you some too!

Jan

P.S...

Salt and Pepper 6x6 Oil

The Fall Giveaway is almost here!

I will be drawing five names from among my Studio News subscribers to receive one of the small works painted during the September Strada Easel Challenge.

Salt and Pepper is #2