Madeline Island Sail Boats 6"x8" Oil on Panel
Big Bay State Park 11"x14" Oil on PanelLast year I took a vacation/painting trip to Madeline Island Wisconsin. This is part of the Apostle Island National Park. It was summer, but to my surprise the weather wasn't hot. The bugs weren't to bad either. I had been on Lake Superior before on Grand Island doing an artist in residence for two weeks, so I had somewhat of an idea as to what to expect. I stayed in a cabin on Madeline Island owned by one of my patrons, whose family owned the cabin for three or four generations. I was given use of the cabin as a partial payment for artwork I had done. I had no idea it was going to as nice as it was.
It took about 15 hours of driving to get there. That was a long trip, but I got to see some beautiful country. I have to admit I enjoyed the most northern part of the drive the most. I always enjoy putting a car on a ferry and transporting over. It was exciting because it meant it was the last part of the trip. I was ready to stop driving and relax.
I did about two paintings a day. I wasn't trying to work hard, since it was partly a vacation. It was great painting in unfamiliar territory though. Like normal, it took me a few paintings to get intimate with the area. I enjoy that part of plein air painting. Every area has its own feeling and light.
I found it hard to leave when the week was over. I had grown fond of the island and the people who lived there. I would go back in a heart beat.
I will find myself back in Wisconsin this month for the Door County Art Festival and Plein Air Competition. Even though it will be a different part of Wisconsin that I have never been to, I am sure the intimacy will come back quickly.
