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I suspect this will be a process that will take the rest of my life, but here is one of the first steps on my journey.

I am strongly drawn to the intersection between nature and the hand of man.  Here, a line of trees marks where a fence line would have been between two farm fields.  Now both fields are part of a thriving prairie restoration project.  There is much to rejoice in this- ground nesting birds have returned, and a number of interesting plants can be found.  

If you would like to sign up, please visit the Garden's website to enroll.  In the past these classes have been terrific fun.  Even if you have never painted before you will leave with a painting to be proud of, with techniques to carry you into future projects.  

When you learn what goes into making a painting, you will look at art with new eyes.

See you there!

I've been working off and on on this canvas for months now.  I had the vision in my head, but had to play with it a bit to get in onto the canvas.  I hope you like it.  Places like this mean a lot to me.  When I paint them, I guess I'm offering up my heart.

Indeed, our world is facing some serious challenges.  Mountain-top mining for coal, fracking for natural gas, proliferating Super Fund Sites...  These matter to all of us.  As our water, air and soils become contaminated we are all at growing risk of health concerns.  The costs of clean-up are huge, and isn't always even possible.  

What to do?   Become informed - read up on what is going on in your area.  How does it apply to your purchases and daily choices?  With a little creative thought, elegant solutions that do not cost the earth can be found.  This can be enormously satisfying.  Give it a try!

An example from my life is the angst I have felt over my car.  Which way to go-electric?  Hybrid?  While I appreciate the efforts of the car makers and the people who buy these cars, I know that there are still pretty steep environmental costs to these cars.  What options are there?  For me, the answer is to leave the car at home whenever possible.

I am fitting out a nifty vintage bike to use for all my short sallies out into the world.  Every time we choose a bike over a car, we are burning calories instead of gas.  By reducing wear and tear on the car, its tires, and the road itself, we are making things last longer.  

This country became great because its people understood the value of taking care of resources.  Somewhere along the way we became squanderers.  Perhaps we have been in denial- we can't afford to keep pretending that business as usual isn't running us into a brick wall.  The cost to our environment and to our collective wallets and health are rapidly becoming too high to support.  Perhaps we have been waiting for the magic bullet that will fix everything- folks, there isn't one.  Look back to how our forefathers got things done- it was all the little things adding up that made for strong character, strong communities, a strong country.  

Perhaps we have been waiting for a hero to save us.  The fact is the world is full of heroes just waiting to happen- look in the mirror for the one nearest you!

I have been very busy in the studio and hope to have several new images posted by next week.

I believer in giving back to my community.  There are so many causes that tug at my heartstrings, but I feel that connecting people to nature is perhaps the most important to me.  Name almost any ill a person or a community can have, and it can be eased or cured by returning to the healing woodlands and other natural areas.  This probably sounds facile, but if you think about it, it is true.  I won't go into all the studies that have been done-go out to a preserve and feel it for yourself.  

Therefore, I am committed to donating 10% of my profits to the Lake County Forest Preserve District.

Thanks to all of you, and I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving.  Please, find someone to share it with, and go hug a tree!

Yours,

Melissa

Everyone having a nice summer?  Me, I'm lovin' the fog and mist- reminds me of home!

Don't know how any of you feel about global climate change, but I found a couple of books that offer an interesting slant.  The first was written some years ago by Paul Hawkin.  "The Ecology of Commerce" is a discussion on what business as usual is doing to our Earth and to us.  He advocates that we redesign our business structure so that sustainable practices are incorporated from the beginning, and not tacked on the end in response to regulations.  It is a bit difficult and sad in places, but overall, the message is positive and hopeful.  Enjoy!

Hello friends.  I want to thank all of you for coming to my exhibit and silent auction at Volo Bog Nature Center last weekend.  Thanks to all of you for making it feel like a huge success and a very special day for me.

A question came up some time ago about the relevance of my work.  What does it mean?  How does it relate to the art world and to the rest of us?

I have been turning that over in my mind and this is what I wish to say about it.  When I look at "the art world", I am frankly mystified.  Try as I might, I really can't see much meaning out there.  It is mutual- I have heard of artists such as myself referred to as outsiders and anachronisms.  So what does all of this mean?  I think that artists come from where they are, geographically and emotionally.  We want to relate what we experience and feel, perhaps in the hope of increasing our own understanding.  Also we are hoping to elicit a reaction.  When someone connects with a work of art, or is moved to help make change in the world, something wonderful has happened.

My work is about the natural world.  Part documentary, maybe, definitely part plea.  I believe that where we put our energy is what grows.  Therefore, it makes little sense to me to paint destruction, pain and chaos.  It is important that we be informed.  I would never advocate burying our heads in the sand regarding habitat destruction or violations to human rights.  But sometimes if that is all we focus on, we lose sight of the ideal.  That is why I paint the ideal, the goal.  I hope that in viewing my paintings of healthy ecosystems, people will be inspired to learn more about them and what can be done to preserve them.  Thriving ecosystems are complex, with lots of diversity.  What is good for nature is good for us- our air and water are cleaner, and the beauty is good for our souls.