by Jill Stefani Wagner

"Petoskey Haze"   oil   9x12

Michigan State Parks turn one hundred years old this year. Let's celebrate!

Landscape artists were invited to paint scenes from over 100 State Parks in our beautiful state. The Great Lakes Plein Air Painters Association was up for the challenge! We painted our diverse recreational areas from October 2018 through September 2019 in groups and individually.

With my crazy plein air schedule, I only managed to squeeze in visits to 3 parks in different areas of the state. In cold, foggy May, I spent a day at Petoskey State Park, capturing the grey mist as it rolled off Lake Michigan. A very different plein air experience for me, but I found joy in capturing the atmosphere and solitude of the park at that time of year.

"Morning Fog"   oil   14x11

After a summer of plein air festivals, I visited Maybury State Park in Northville. I never know what I'll find on these explorations, but that's what makes them so fun. In the early morning I chose a long view of the horse stables on the property. The architectural lines of the buildings made a nice counterpoint to the organic, golden field.

"Maybury Stables"   oil   11x14

I packed up and wandered around looking for new inspiration. Bingo! There was an old working farm in the park that really flipped my switch. (I have no idea why I am so attracted to farms. Maybe in any earlier life I worked the fields...) But whenever I am searching for a view to paint, I'm really looking for a focal point. Some structure or light effect that will draw my viewers eye and lead them through the painting. The road in this scene allows you to wander down the lane and out to the distant barns.

"Maybury Lane"   oil   9x12    WON SECOND PLACE!

One more quick plein air painting at Island Lake State Park near Brighton. I've painted this scene before but never when the fields had turned such a rich, warm red.

"Island Lake Summit"   oil   10x10

Come Celebrates Michigan's Beautiful Parks!

The GLPAPA Paint the Parks Exhibit will be held at the Michigan History Center, 702 W. Kalamazoo St., Lansing, Michigan from November 2-22. Seventy original plein air paintings by 27 artists will be available to view and purchase, with 25% of sales supporting historical interpretation at Michigan State Parks. Stop by if you can!