Saturday, August 8, 2009

More sand in my shoes

I just got back from three days of painting in Northwest Michigan, in and around Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. 450 foot high dunes with commanding views of the coast and the Manitou Islands. This painting was done atop the highest dune. Though discouraged by the park personnel, people run down this very steep dune and then climb back up on all fours. With the sand sliding under your feet, it's easily a heart-pounding, hour workout.

I stayed at the great, little, retro Honor Motel, in the town of Honor with easy access to the park and wi-fi too!

More to come.


South from Sleeping Bear, oil 12" x 9"

3 comments:

Laurel Daniel said...

I have run down this dune on several occasions and must say it brings a certain crazy joy to the soul!!! The workout had to be carrying all your stuff up there! I love this dramatic perspective and the sense of enormity that you got!

David Westerfield said...

Luckily the walk from the parking lot was an easy 100 yards. One of my other spots required a 3/4 of a mile hike up and down hills through a forest before I got to a beautiful bluff look-out.

Double "D" said...

Hi David,

I've pondered this view many times. I've never
made up my mind what to do with it.

Now you've shown me, and you've done a great
job. Good placement of the figure and slope shadow to breakup the vastness of it. Nicely done.