Early Morning Snowfall

Oil on canvas, 14" x 11"    The snowplow had not yet passed through to eclipse the beauty of a January morning snowfall.



                                             Happy New Year!

December Snowfall

Oil on canvas - 10" x 8"      As I write the first storm of the winter season is moving in, and once again the color palette changes to a breathtaking range of blues, purples, earth tones, and whites.  This remains my favorite time of the year for paintings. 

At this time I wish you a Most Blessed Christmas season!

Reeds Lake Wetlands

Oil on canvas - 12" x 9"     This oil is one of several oils completed in 2008 using a limited palette of cobalt blue, cadmium red, cadmium yellow and white. This palette has been extensively used by prominent American artist Russell Chatham.  After seeing an exhibition of his works at Northwestern Michigan College a few years ago, I was challenged to give it a try. The results ranged from complete failure to a few that I was moderately happy with.  This painting is for sale.

2013 Calendar - "Water, Sand & Sky"

My 2013 Calendar - "Water, Sand & Sky" is now available!   It is a desk calendar - 4" x 8" featuring 12 of my original oil paintings the majority completed within the past year.  They make a great gift for that "hard to buy for" person or for your home or business.  Price: 15.00 + .90 MI sales tax + 3.00 shipping.  To order, call  my studio at 616.235.7931 or by email: maryeandersenart@sbcglobal.net.  

The calendars are also available at these locations:  Betsy Ratzsch Pottery, Ada, MI; City Art Gallery, Grand Rapids, MI; Blue Heron Gallery, Elk Rapids, MI; La Bella Galleria on Old Mission Peninsula.  

Early Snowfall, Antrim County

Oil on canvas - 24" x 18"  It was early November and  heavy wet snow blanketed northern Michigan. While exploring the back roads with my sister, we came upon a cut sunflower field, orchard and stand of hardwoods that practically demanded to become a painting.  November and December will always be my favorite season to paint.

November Sunrise -4

Oil on canvas - 24" x 48"   A view of the Grand River the first week in November. 

After the Storm -3

Oil on canvas - 14" x 18"  This was actually a cloud formation that I observed one evening in late June while returning home from exploring back roads in northeastern Kent County.  The atmosphere was almost dreamy, the lack of noise was exhilerating to my soul bombarded daily with the congestion of the city. I was enraptured with the silence and awed by the beauty of God's creation stretching out before me.

Dunlap's Field

Oil on canvas - 24" x 30"      Another oil celebrating the rich, vibrant color pallette of Autumn.

Autumn Poplars Study

Oil on canvas, 7" x 5"     
A study of a stand of poplars in the Grass River area of northern Michigan. Chances are that this will eventually become a larger work.

Vineyard

Oil on canvas - 24" x 48"   This  85 year old + vineyard and orchard, originally located near the corner of Knapp and the East Beltline was torn out and replaced with a large commercial developement-Celebration Cinemas.  All that you see now is a parking lot and buildings. Knowing that it was soon to be gone forever I walked the property and completed several oils from different vantage points this being one of my favorites.  Giclee prints of this painting will soon be available. Please contact my studio to purchase a print. 

Autumn Poplars Study

Oil on canvas - 7" x 5" (Private collection)     A brief change in subject matter as autumn approaches and we are blessed with all of  its great majesty.  This paintingis featured for September in my 2012 Calendar - "Trees". 

Note: As I write, my 2013  Desk Calendar is in the works and will be coming out soon... will  focus again on the Lake Michigan Shoreline.  These calendars  make nice holiday gifts for home or office and you will be able to enjoy 12 of my paintings throughout the year. More information to follow...
Additional note:  Many of the paintings you have enjoyed these past months are for sale. Several are available as a fine art (giclee) print.  Please contact me to purchase one of these oils.

Paths to the Beach at Hoffmaster

Oil on canvas - 20" x 24"   The dunes at Hoffmaster are always changing. I visited this spot last week; most of these trees are there, but a large section of the path along the edge of the rise has been carved away by the wind. More paintings to come from this area!

Shoreline at Hoffmaster Study

Oil on canvas - 6" x 8"     There is nothing quite so peaceful as walking the beach in the evening as dusk approaches, experiencing Lake Michigan with all of its moods.

Birch Trees, Lake Huron Shoreline

Oil on canvas, 24" x 36"    Another work in progress of a stand of birch trees along the shoreline in northeastern Michigan. This is a relatively new theme that I have begun to explore in recent months.

Vineyard at Mapleton

Oil on canvas - 6" x 8" (Sold)   This is a study completed a few years ago of a small vineyard on Old Mission Peninsula which fascinated me for a long time before I attempted to paint it.  I am so often reminded how quickly the land changes; recently I passed by and noticed that the grove of trees on the right side had been cut down, leaving a huge gaping hole in the hillside.  Several months later the hillside was planted with something, possibly more grapes.  

Crystal River Wetlands - 2

Oil on canvas, 24" x 36" - Thought  I would show this new oil at an early stage. I intend to leave this piece relatively soft with simple shapes using a limited pallette.  I have since added some cadmium red and yellow.

Ledges

Oil on canvas - 18" x 14"   This painting is still in progress but I thought you would find it interesting. While walking the beach at Empire, I just happened upon several boulders jutting out from the dunes. The play of light across the grasses and rocks and the shadows totally fascinated me.

Deep in the Woods

Oil on canvas, 20" x 16"    An exploration of color and design in the landscape.

Sunset

Oil on canvas, 5" x 7"     A breathtaking sunset over lake Michigan in late July.

Sleeping Bear Dunes Study

Oil on canvas, 6" x 8"    A sunny but cold afternoon in early May when the hardwoods are leafing out and the colors are very intense.

North Manitou Island Study

Oil on linen, 6" x 6"       One of a series of oils of a cloud formation I watched slowly move across Lake Michigan over North Manitou Island while waiting for the sun to set.

Sleeping Bear Point, South Manitou Island

Original oil - 12" x 24"     It was a calm day at Glen Haven beach  and I could barely hear the waves gently lapping at the edge of the sandy shore. 

Birch

Oil on canvas -7" x 5"
The first in a series of oils focusing on birch trees.

Edge of the Lake Study

Oil on canvas  - 24" x 30"   This oil is unfinished, still being developed... My goal is to keep the edges as defused as possible with just enough contrast to make it intriguing.

Queen Ann's Lace -4

Oil on canvas - 24" x 30"     One of a series of oils of fields of Queen Ann's Lace that I discovered while visiting the Gladwin area in mid-summer. 

Orchards and Windbreak

Oil on canvas - 8" x 16"     Another of my favorite themes are orchards and windbreaks in the Leelanau and Grand Traverse region.

Dunes, Hoffmaster State Park

Original oil - 20" x 24"     I decided to show this oil  that I have had in and out of the closet for a couple years. Hoffmaster State Park near Grand Haven is one of my favorite places to hike and walk the beach. The painting contains much layering of color that resulted in soft and subtle textures.

N. Bar Lake, Empire Bluffs

Original Oil - 8" x 16"    The view from the Pierce Stocking Drive, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

Junipers at Glen Haven

Oil on canvas - 6" x 6"     This study is one of several oils in progress of the shoreline at Glen Haven. I have always found juniper bushes to be particularly fascinating, with branches that present sweeping, abstract shapes in contrast to the sand and water.

Paths to the Beach

Original Oil - 24" x 30"     This oil was begun over 2 years ago and recently reached completion.  It is one of 3 oils that were studies for my entry for ARTPrize  2011; "Solitude, Lake Michigan" (40" x 60"). This painting is now available as a giclee print - 24" x 30" on paper or on canvas.  "Solitude, Lake Michigan" is also available as a giclee print.

Rocky Beach Study -4

Original Oil - 6" x 6"    Another study of a stretch of rocky shoreline between Charlevoix and Petoskey, Michigan. 

Edge of the Lake Study

Original Oil - 6" x 6"       One of several studies of a northern Michigan lake in early summer.

Orchard, West Grand Traverse Bay

Original Oil - 5" x 7"     This is one of the first views of West Grand Traverse Bay on Garfield Road, south of Traverse City.

Windy Day, Stoney Point - 3

  Original Oil - 6" x 8"    It's one of those summer afternoons when you want to sit on the sand for hours and soak up the sun and cool breezes coming off Grand Traverse Bay.

Inspiration Point -2

Original oil - 6" x 6"     A view of Glenn Lake from Inspiration Point, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore during spring when the colors are still quite muted. The hardwoods are just beginning to leaf out.

Beach near Pyramid Point

Original Oil - 5" x 7"    Along the shoreline north of Little Traverse Lake is a stretch of junipers and white pines that is breathtaking to see. 

Sleeping Bear, S. Manitou Island

Original Oil - 6" x 8"    One of a series of oils focusing on the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, recently voted "Most beautiful place in America".

Fields of Queen Ann's Lace -1

Original Oil - 11" x 14"     One of a series of oils focusing on a fallow field filled with Queen Ann's Lace that I discovered while visiting in the Gladwin area of Michigan.