The Joys of “Cottage Life”

A glorious sunset on Little Traverse Lake

Cottage life has been a greater joy than I could imagine, which is a surprise. I like to live simple. Packing light, small is better, less is more.

I told you it was on the water. Pinch me.

So the thought of adding another home to the mix did not appeal at first — but, then, there was Leelanau. The place that made my heart sing. Where I felt like I’d crossed borders into places meant only for the pages of Travel + Leisure. It’s my source of inspiration and has been for some time. So I feel like I’m on a bit of inspiration overload … and I like it. I like it very much!

Sunset from my deck

My days are completely different than they are at home in Grand Rapids. Here, I wake up early, grab my Thermos and head to the beach to paint the sunrise — most days. Then I grab the puppy and we hike. There has always been something about feet to earth that gives me comfort. We usually go to a place where I can see Lake Michigan glimmering below like an emerald jewel — or is it sapphire? It’s a source of endless inspiration. Then we head back to the cottage, eat, and head right back out to paint another slice of paradise. My days are in harmony with nature: I spend all day surrounded by the greatest painting ever made, courtesy of Mother Nature.

A favorite hike of ours, inspiring a Dunes series.

It feels a little weird calling this place my cottage, for it’s more like a home. I feel more connected to the earth, to my source of inspiration.

I have long said places are like people to me I develop relationships with them. And there is no relationship I have to a place that is greater than my connection to Leelanau. Maybe this is more of a love letter than a blog, but it’s reflecting my thoughts.

When I sit and think about my art, I think about Leelanau and this little cottage — a former boathouse — right on the water’s edge of Little Traverse Lake. It’s a mere stone’s throw from the national park on the far side of the lake, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

Have you been there? Selfishly, I want to keep it a secret, though the secret is already out. But my true nature, my higher self, want you to know about it. To have the soles of your feet touch the soil and the earth here in this magical place that I now call home.

So there it is, my source of inspiration which can not be separated from Leelanau. What are your inspirational places? The places that feed your soul? As always, I love to hear about it in the comments, and the best conversations take place on Facebook and Instagram where I hope to find you my fellow levers of art, travel, and the great state of Michigan!