I took this photo around a month ago when my flowering plum tree dropped it’s petals after a storm. This is my happy place to relax and smell the fresh Michigan air.
Another one of my happy places is the Frederik Meijer Gardens, which is celebrating their 15th anniversary this year. I’m planning on going there soon and taking photos of the Chihuly: A New Eden Exhibit, it’s truly amazing with his work at 15 sites.
Kalamazoo is the home to lots of special places and Milham Park is way up there on the list. My friend Jill told me about historic Milham Park and I’m sure glad she did. It’s 49 acres of creeks, stone bridges and hedges, geese, paths and just a serene, beautiful place.
It’s Tulip Time in Holland, Michigan and Windmill Island is one of the featured attractions for good reason.
It’s a beautiful and leisurely paved walk to the island which is surrounded by marshes with cattails and red winged blackbirds.
Although tourists and vacationers travel from around the world to visit the island during Tulip Time, it’s an attraction that stands on its own and is well worth visiting any time of the year, especially spring, summer and fall.
Tulip Time in Holland, MI is a big deal for a lot of folks, so I thought it was about time I check it out. The Tulip Time Festival actually starts next week, but the tulips are already looking stunning and I thought this would be a great way to get some shots before the crowds arrive.
I took this HDR photo at Windmill Island. It’s an enchanting, beautiful place that is well worth the visit.
I wanted to share some of the websites/resources that have helped me learn about HDR photography, and also those that inspire me. HDR photography is fun, relatively easy to learn and has only a few extra expenses. Following, are links to websites that I enjoy:
Resources:
HDR Soft is in my opinion, the best HDR program out there.
Topaz Labs is pretty great too!
Inspiration:
Stuck in Customs is the gold standard for HDR
HDR Spotting has great photos that are constantly updated
Photomatix user gallery, guess who’s in it
Online tutorials are available on the Stuck in Customs, Photomatix and Topaz Labs websites.
I especially would like to give a thanks to Trey Ratcliff of Stuck in Customs, his generosity in sharing techniques and his photography are beyond amazing.
Last spring, I was flying kites in a field near my home and took this photo. Every day I can feel we’re getting closer to spring… it’s warmer, the sun is shining, and the birds are singing. My friend Ruth even saw bluebirds in her bird feeder today.
An email I got a couple of days ago from Dustin, who served in the Marine Corps for five years, made me think about how hard it must spend holidays like this so far from your loved ones. Today I’m dedicating my post to all of you serving in the military. You are loved and appreciated here at home. Thank you for your sacrifices, you are not forgotten.
Since so many of you are overseas in the desert, here’s a nice cool drink of the Northern Michigan shoreline.
If you love orchids and you are reading this on Sunday, January 24, HURRY, drop everything and drive as fast as you can to the orchid show at the Frederik Meijer Gardens. Above is my latest piece of work, inspired by the orchids at the show.
The annual show has growers from all over , and is well worth visiting… by the way, I was just kidding about driving as fast as you can. I don’t want anyone getting busted based on one of my recommendations.
By the way, I haven’t named this piece yet, any recommendations? Help me out, please!
This is what I’m waiting for at this point. The beautiful Michigan summer, winter, be off with you!
I am so very pleased to announce that my work for ArtPrize has been purchased by Ed Stritch of the Concord Group, and donated to Spectrum Health. As a result, LifeFlow will be added to the permanent art collection at the Butterworth Hospital campus. Presently, the piece is located in the main entrance of the hospital off Michigan Street.
The Concord Group has played an active role in several major West Michigan construction projects. Mr. Stritch has led key initiatives for Spectrum Health, providing construction cost estimating services and owner representation for large construction projects. His small army of architects, engineers, project managers and estimators review designs and specifications to help owners put construction costs in perspective.
Mr. Stritch purchased LifeFlow as a gift to the community and to show his appreciation for the arts in Grand Rapids. I am so happy to see this piece stay at Spectrum Health. Since its installation for ArtPrize, I have received numerous comments from Spectrum Health employees, patients and patient families saying that they had hoped it would become permanent. I developed LifeFlow with the intention of it being a healing, nurturing work. So, thank you again, I am totally delighted to see this happen, what a great way to start the new year!
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