Evening at Central Beach

Was back up at the Dunes recently...camped in the Dunewood campground at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. I love that area and just being on the lake. Lake Michigan is pretty magnificent. I could stay at the beach all day, just painting, reading, daydreaming, snoozing, studying the clouds.

The campground is nice as well. As much as I like camping I had not stayed in that particular campground when I have been up at the Dunes....it is a really beautiful....plenty of sites(both drive-in and walk-in), clean bathrooms, private spaces,etc...Because of all the damp weather in June, the mosquitos were pretty bad but we survived!

When I was here in 2004 it was as an artist-in-residence through the National Parks residency program. It was a great experience. They put me up in a house right on Lake Michigan...at the end of a road up on a dune...2 decks, sliding glass doors on 2 sides of the house. It was a short walk to Central Beach. Unfortunately, that house is not used any longer. They still have the residency program but they put artists in a house elsewhere in the park. I think it is worth pursuing for any of you who might be entertaining the idea of applying (artists,musicians,writers...) It is a great opportunity...sales, networking, quiet respite for creating.....I have been back a couple of times since then and look forward to returning.

Anyway, this is a 5" x 7" study in oil. It is available for purchase, I do have a Paypal account if that is convenient for you...if you are interested please email me at rtist6162@aol.com. Feel free to contact me as well if you have any questions about the artist-in-residence program. I hava also done a residency at Hot Springs National Park...another great park.

"For money you can have everyhing it is said. No, that is not true. You can buy food, but not apptetite; medicine, but not health; soft beds, but not sleep; knowledge, but not intelligence; glitter, but not comfort; fun, but not pleasure; acquaintances, but not friendship; servants, but not faithfulness; grey hair, but not honor; quiet days, but not peace; The shell of all things you can get for money. But not the kernel. That cannot be had for money". Ame Garborg, writer

Thanks for stopping by, Helen

Okay, another beach painting - I guess that tells you a little bit about where my mind is right now. I am definitely ready for some warmer weather, although a nice lengthy Spring would be alright by me.

Besides beach scenes I also enjoy painting children - in their very typical and simple ways - doing the things we can all relate to and understand. I guess its the little things that really connect us all. In this scene one is left wondering what the little girl is looking at - is she watching other children, the waves crashing, maybe a sailboat. Perhaps she is just lost in thought and not looking at anything in particular, just enjoying the feeling of the sun on her skin, the smell of the water, the breeze....

Its amazing how creases and dimples can look so cute on little kids - too bad that doesn't carry over as well as we age - oh well.

This is an 8" x 10" oil on gallery wrap canvas - no frame is necessary as the painting wraps around the edges - it can be framed though. It is $145. You can e-mail if interested or if you have any questions.

"In the end, what affects your life most deeply are things too simple to talk about". Nell Blaine

Have a great day-

Helen

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