Children's Book Illustrations

I was cleaning the basement this summer and found a box of old children's books from when I was a kid. Going through them brought back many memories. I was reminded of how enchanted I was with the illustrations in some of the books. They were magical to me and I think most of the time more important than the actual story. I think it was these experiences that inspired me to become an artist. I thought I would share some of my favorites.

I'm hoping my niece will enjoy them as much as I have.

Summer Tease

This warm weather we've been having has made me want to start my gardening. I am dreaming about plants right now.

The top three photos are taken at Frederick Meijer Gardens last summer which I wrote about here. The rest are taken in my back yard.

Painting Meditiations Install

Here are some photos of the installed exhibition:

Painting Meditations: New Work

This is what I have been busy with the last few months...

Stop by if you're in town.

"H is for Holiday" Show @ the DAM

Like these? These are a few of my new experiments. They are 4"x 4", acrylic on wood panels, only $25 each, and currently available at the DAM( Detroit Artists Market) in their Holiday Show. If you get a chance go check out the show. They have a bunch of one of a kind items that would make great gifts for the holidays. Shop local and support independent artists/makers!

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

I went to the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park the other day. Located just outside of Grand Rapids, Michigan, it's one of my favorite places in the state to visit. It's a beautiful environment where sculpture, horticulture and architecture all come together to create an incredible art viewing/garden touring experience. The main attractions are the conservatory, indoor sculpture galleries and the outdoor sculpture park and gardens. They also have a gift shop, cafe, library, theater, and amphitheater. Guided tram tours are available and will take you through the whole outdoor sculpture park. I have taken the tram tour before and found it very informative regarding the sculpture in the park. In the conservatory they have regional, seasonal and temporary gardens set up. The outdoor gardens consist of natural native plantings as well as more formal landscaped plantings. Each sculpture is set into its own environment that enhances the experience of viewing the art. If you have never been I highly recommend going.

I have been a photographing fool lately and took almost 350 pictures on this trip. Most are for reference. These are just a few of the better ones.


Front view of the conservatory and gardens.


Conservatory - Cacti


Conservatory - Banana Leaf Plant


Conservatory - Tropical flowers (Don't know what kind.)


Conservatory - Carnivorous plants


Conservatory - Carnivorous plants

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Below are some of my favorite sculptures in the park...


Main building - Floor
Beneath the Leafy Crown by Michelle Oka Doner
(a 12,000 foot floor sculpture consisting of more than 1,650 bronze leaf and botanical-inspired elements suspended in deep green terrazzo)


Main building - Floor
Beneath the Leafy Crown Detail


Main building - Floor
Beneath the Leafy Crown Detail


Outdoor Sculpture Garden -
Urban Excursion Rendezvous by Chakaia Booker


Outdoor Sculpture Garden -
Neuron by Roxy Paine


Outdoor Sculpture Garden - Detail
Neuron by Roxy Paine


Outdoor Sculpture Garden - Detail
Neuron Roxy Paine


Outdoor Sculpture Garden -
Neuron by Roxy Paine


Outdoor Sculpture Garden -
Flowers along path


Outdoor Sculpture Garden -
B-Tree II by Kenneth Snelson


Outdoor Sculpture Garden - Detail
B-Tree II by Kenneth Snelson


Outdoor Sculpture Garden - Detail
B-Tree II by Kenneth Snelson


Outdoor Sculpture Garden -
Figure on a Trunk by Magdalena Abakanowicz


Outdoor Sculpture Garden -
Plantoir by Claes Oldenburg & Coosje Van Bruggen


Outdoor Sculpture Garden -
Cabin Creek by Deborah Butterfield


Outdoor Sculpture Garden -
??? (cannot find the info on this sculpture)


Outdoor Sculpture Garden - Front View
Standing Woman by Ossip Zadkine


Outdoor Sculpture Garden - Right Side View
Standing Woman by Ossip Zadkine


Outdoor Sculpture Garden - Back View
Standing Woman by Ossip Zadkine


Outdoor Sculpture Garden - Left Side View
Standing Woman by Ossip Zadkine


Outdoor Sculpture Garden -
Espaliered Girl by Laura Ford


Outdoor Sculpture Garden -
Disk in the Form of a Desert Rose by Arnaldo Pomodoro


Outdoor Sculpture Garden -
Disk in the Form of a Desert Rose by Arnaldo Pomodoro


Outdoor Sculpture Garden -
Disk in the Form of a Desert Rose by Arnaldo Pomodoro


Outdoor Sculpture Garden -
Disk in the Form of a Desert Rose by Arnaldo Pomodoro


Outdoor Sculpture Garden -
Disk in the Form of a Desert Rose by Arnaldo Pomodoro


Outdoor Sculpture Garden -
Disk in the Form of a Desert Rose by Arnaldo Pomodoro


Outdoor Sculpture Garden -
Aria by Alexander Liberman


Outdoor Sculpture Garden -
Spider by Louise Bourgeois


Outdoor Sculpture Garden -
Grosser Trefree by Dietrich Klinge


Outdoor Sculpture Garden -
Scarlatti by Mark di Suvero


Outdoor Sculpture Garden -
Scarlatti by Mark di Suvero


Outdoor Sculpture Garden -
Plants in meadow surrounding Scarlatti by Mark di Suvero


Outdoor Sculpture Garden -
Grand Rapids Arch by Andy Goldsworthy