“Afternoon Along the Creek”

It’s been the most gorgeous weather lately here in NW Michigan! I’d been eyeing this view for a long time. Finally decided to paint it. There’s a narrow window of time each day where the rays of the sun peek through the trees, falling across the grass. Wait just a few minutes longer and the sunlight takes over, flooding everthing in the strongest, dazzling light.

When I first saw this property, it was the creek that sold me. Oh boy! When it’s hot I can lay down in the creek to cool off! Or so I thought until I found out the bottom was not sand — but the gooiest, stickiest, muckiest clay! Alas, no swimming for me.

This view of the creek is where it’s heading west through my neighbor’s property, on the way to Lake Michigan, less than a mile away. A very large wild rose arches over at this point. In spring it’s loaded with white/pale pink blossoms. A few early-fall leaves are floating in the water. And let me tell you — the mosquitoes are still alive here — and hungry! Here’s my setup: