Freezing Lake Michigan - February

"Ice Chunks 2/11/10" -- plein air field study -- oil on canvas -- 11x14" -- Margie Guyot

"Ice Flow" -- plein air field study -- oil on canvas -- 9x12" -- Margie Guyot

The weather forecast called for a 60% chance of snow, but my friend Janet and I decided to risk going out to paint anyway. The day before, we'd both bought balaclavas at a ski shop in Traverse City, so we were excited to be able to try them out. And wow -- were they ever worth the bucks! We painted right on the ice at Norwood Beach (south of Charlevoix), with a stiff wind blowing the whole time -- and our faces didn't get chapped!

I probably wouldn't have gone out to paint if it hadn't been for my friend Janet. I'd probably have stayed in the studio, working on a still life.

We discovered this great spot the other day, following the suggestion of our friend, sculptor Todd Warner. We've painted there twice already and the ice changes constantly. What had been open water two days ago was frozen yesterday. In these two little field studies I did yesterday, the small chunks of ice were practically frozen together into a solid sheet by the end of the painting session. The wind was relentless (of course!) and it would have been nice if I could have used my BestBrella. But I was certain the wind would have caught it and sailed it out into the drink for sure. I didn't feel like throwing away $100.

Finally I remembered to bring along a thermos of hot tea to a winter painting session! So in between paintings we had a little "warming break". Little things mean a lot, as they say, and a cup of hot tea out on the ice is fabulous.

The ice made interesting cracking and moaning sounds the whole time. And even though it was quite thick (and safe) where we stood, it was quite slippery, so we had to watch our movements. There were coyote tracks in the snow, running all over the place. I bet it would be quite an interesting place to be, some moonlit night.

"Barnes Park - 2/08/10" -- plein air field study -- 11x14" on canvas board -- Margie Guyot

It was one of those rare sunny days here in NW Michigan, so I wanted to go down to the little park south of my house and paint the ice pileup on Lake Michigan. I was dressed warmly -- it was only about 20 degrees -- but my poor face got SO chapped! The wind was whipping off the lake, making it fairly miserable to work. But I loved this scene!

Having grown up in Iowa, I never saw scenes like this. Lake Michigan is only 1/2 mile from my house and I never tire of looking at it, in all seasons.

Notice the icebergs in the distance?

"Pink Hyacinth"

"Pink Hyacinth" -- oil on canvas -- 11x14" -- Margie Guyot

Everybody up north here is really chomping at the bit for Spring. One of the best ways to deal with this (to me, at least) is to buy some spring flowers. And use them in a painting. These beautiful hyacinths smelled wonderful out in the studio. I just moved them into the house to enjoy before the studio kitties decide to rip them to shreds.

This is another painting in my "vintage tablecloth" series. If you'd like to see many more paintings -- not all flowers, either! -- check out my old blogsite: greatlittleoiltpaintings.blogspot.com.

Thanks for looking!

New year -- new name!

Greetings! This is a "9" year for me, numerology-wise: a year to let go of relationships and things that no longer work. It's a year to revise and improve. I've decided one improvement I'm going to make is to my blog. I'm changing over to a new blog and using my name. I think it will be easier for people to remember and find instead of "greatlittleoilpaintings.blogspot.com.

Please have patience. I'll be posting new photos of my oil paintings very soon. Meanwhile, you may visit my other blog: greatlittleoilpaintings.blogspot.com.

Thanks! And best wishes for a healthy, profitable, creative 2010!