Finding Inspiration in Michigan’s Natural Beauty

"Tangled Tree" 2005/2006

As much as the West Coast expanded my creative horizon, it was Michigan that planted the roots of my imagination. From the first brushstrokes of my career to the evolution of my signature Jeweled Trees series, the natural beauty of Michigan has been an ever-present muse—steady, soulful, and endlessly inspiring.

A State Painted in Seasons

Michigan doesn’t just have seasons. It lives them boldly. The fiery reds and golds of autumn, the crisp whites of winter, the lush greens of spring, and the sun-drenched lakes of summer each bring their own rhythm and palette to my work. These colors find their way into the swirling branches and vibrant skies of my landscape pieces, creating a kind of visual memory map—each painting a season, a place, a moment remembered.

Where Earth Meets Awe

I’m especially drawn to the majestic places of Northern Michigan, the Pictured Rocks, the sweeping dunes of Sleeping Bear, the calm elegance of Mackinac Island. These locations aren't just beautiful, they're cinematic. There’s a quiet, mystical energy in the forests and cliffs, the kind that makes you want to stop, breathe, and take it all in. These moments of stillness often become the spark behind a new canvas.

Painting From Memory and Moment

While I don't always paint en plein air, I carry Michigan with me through photo references and personal experience. I’ll capture a lakeside sunrise with my camera or simply absorb the way the wind moves through a birch tree during a hike. Later, in the studio, these details resurface—not with rigid realism, but with impressionistic flow, woven into the fabric of my Jeweled Trees series.

These trees are more than just stylized designs; they are emotional landscapes. Each curve of a branch and burst of color reflects Michigan’s soul, the resilience of its woods, the clarity of its waters, the joy of its summer skies, and the peace of its snowy stillness.

The Same Spark, Different Light

Though my time on the West Coast taught me boldness and artistic edge, Michigan remains the grounding force in my work. What surprises many is that the vibrance and energy I felt in California also exists here, just in a different light. It’s the slow burn of a bonfire under northern stars, the shimmer of sunlit maple leaves, the hush of pine-scented air.

Rooted and Radiant

My art is often described as whimsical, luminous, and emotionally charged and I believe much of that comes from being so deeply rooted in this place. Michigan’s nature doesn’t just decorate the background of my paintings; it inhabits them. It breathes through them. And as I continue to create, it will always be the place where I return, not just physically, but creatively.