Chihuly's A New Eden Exhibit at the Frederik Meijer Gardens
This is my favorite of the 25 Chihuly exhibits at the Frederik Meijer Gardens

Ever since the Chihuly exhibit came to the Frederik Meijer Gardens, I’ve noticed that it seems to eventually come up in conversation with my friends and business associates. The reason everyone is talking about this exhibit is that it’s unique, stunning and beautiful. The exhibit was to end in September and is now being held over until October 31, 2010.

The Chihuly exhibit, titled A New Eden, features 15 sculpture sites with most of them outside and a continuously playing presentation about Chihuly in the Hoffman Family Theater. Dale Chihuly is said to be the most sought after artist in the world, working primarily in glass. This is his 2nd exhibition at the Gardens.

It was hard to pick my favorite from all the sites, but if I had to pick, it would be of the area shown in this HDR photo that I took during my 3rd visit (and I’ll be back for more!).

Frederik Meijer Garden’s hours are:

Mon and Tues: 9 am–9 pm
Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat: 9 am–5 pm
Sun: 12 pm–5 pm

You can learn more at their website by clicking here.

If you can make it, I’d highly recommend this exhibit (just in case you can’t already figure that out!)

Post & HDR photo by Ann Teliczan

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Big Wabasis Lake Campground
Big Wabasis Lake Campground in Greenville, MI

Wow! What a summer this has been. Other than a few days that were over the top hot, I can’t remember a more beautiful or fun summer. I took this while visiting my son Paul and his family on a camping outing at Big Wabasis Lake. It’s quite a nice place to visit, especially if you love camping. Here’s some helpful links:

Wabasis Facebook link

Wabasis Lake Details and Campsite Map

Google Map Link to Location

In addition to camping, you’ll find  a boat launch, enclosed shelter, baseball diamonds, fishing, hiking/walking, picnicking, a playground, swimming, a bathhouse, basketball, restrooms and a springhouse (which is VERY cool).

Driving along in the Michigan back country.

I took this photo driving through farmland in the Belmont, Michigan area. For those who think of Michigan as a washed up rust belt state, think again. The majority of the state sports lush farmland, lakes ripe for fishing and trees everywhere.

I just got back from visiting gorgeous Steamboat Springs. While I love the mountains and big, huge sky, I missed the variety of trees and “green” that Michigan offers.

Now for the favor… my son Paul is getting married on August 21. He’s having trouble finding a rustic cabin or cottage in the Upper Peninsula to rent from August 23 – August 30. Any suggestions or places you know of with availabilities? If so, could you please make a comment about it? I would greatly appreciate it!

Backyard farming in Michigan

A couple of weeks ago my new iPhone4 came in and I decided to get it in spite of the reception problems. Truth be told, I have been using Mac products for my entire career and have yet to be disappointed with the company. I LOVE the iPhone4, it is a huge upgrade from the original iPhone, which is what I had. Here’s why:

– The optics are amazing, result, everything is easier to read and a joy to look at.

– I love the movie camera on the phone, it takes great video and is so convenient. I won’t be dragging around my movie camera any more.

– The still camera. Okay, it’s not as good as my SLR, but for crying out loud, it takes great photos and again, it’s convenient.

– All the apps. The scope of truly helpful apps that are free or just $1.99 boggle my mind. Everything from making expense reports easier, to tracking my workout program.

I just thought you might find it interesting that I took this photo with my iPhone. After taking it, I processed it with Topaz Labs software.

About the photo… more and more Michigan residents are raising chickens in their backyard. That would include my friend Ruth, these are her “Chickapees.” They follow her around everywhere and are so cute, she even tolerates them tearing up her amazing flower gardens (at least until recently!) Grand Rapids is considering and ordinance to allow homeowners to keep up to 5 chickens in their backyards. A similar ordinance has been effect in Ann Arbor since 2008. I love visiting her and watching her chickens, they make me laugh.

The sails come down after a day on the water

There’s boat harbors everywhere in Michigan that look just like this as the sun sets. I took this photo in Muskegon after a relaxing day of sailing. Being able to escape like this makes every day feel like a vacation. Post & HDR photo by Ann Teliczan

Solomon's Seal and Flowering Plum Trees

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.

Ed Stritch of The Concord Group purchases and donates "LifeFlow" by Ann Teliczan to Spectrum Health.

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!

DJ Bearie shredding it in the backwoods of Michigan.

According to Mr. Obvious, snowboarding in Michigan is popular. This winter we’ve been doing especially well in the snow department, so it’s a great time to hit the hills. Here’s a few places to go snowboarding in Michigan:

Pando Winter Sports Park: Has small hills and great for the experienced snowboarder. It also has one of the best tubing operations in west Michigan.

Cannonsburg Ski Area: A nice place to go out and get a quick run in.

Crystal Mountain: Have a great terrain park and a lot of hills.

Shanty Creek: Great snowboarding with a good mix of jumps and riding.

Boyne Mountain: Is known for their terrain park.

Nubs Knob: Has lots and lots of hills and is known more for the skiing than snowboarding.

If I missed someone, or you have something to add, please add a comment!

Time to get inside and cozy up by the fireplace.

Yep, that’s what Lake Michigan is link in the winter. I took this photo in January near the Grand Haven Pier in the Grand Haven State Park. It was so cold, that if I had a mustache, it would have frozen and broken off.

Just beyond the dune, is the mighty Lake Michigan

I woke up. The sun was shining. And, it was deep freeze cold outside, so of course I decided to head to the lakeshore. On the way to Grand Haven, I was admiring the pretty blue sky, the wind whipped snow glittering on the vast fields of nothing and… what’s that in my rear view mirror? Why, it’s a jacked up truck tailgating me with a huge American flag mounted to the truck gate and flapping in the wind. Welcome to Michigan. You never know what to expect.