Janice Dumas Watercolor

Twenty-two years ago I took a trip to Ireland with Carl,  my parents, my sister, and brother-in-law. It was my mother's life-long dream to visit the places her grandparents came from. We had a wonderful trip - we visited Waterford, Kilkenny, Dublin, Ennis, and Cork; we went to Blarney Castle, watched them make Waterford Crystal, and saw the Book of Kells at Trinity College. Ultimately, we ended up in Kilmihil, where my great-grandfather was from and learned a lot about his family. 

When we got home I did this painting of some doors we saw in Kilkenny - it was 1993. This was the first painting I did where I got that excited feeling that it was going to be something special. I started to think I could be good at this...

Four months after we took that trip I lost my mother to cancer. I'm so glad we took that once-in-a-lifetime trip.

My mother-in-law loved and purchased the painting. She's been gone three years now, and I have the painting back. It's one of the few I will never sell.

My first day at ArtPrize was a blast! I got to visit with some friends, meet new friends, and learned how to Skype!

My friends Mary (above) and Chris (below) are spending a couple days in Grand Rapids.

Corey and Sam stopped in too!

Channel 7 in Detroit had me Skype with them on their show, Detroit Now. It was a bit outside my comfort zone but lots of fun! Luckily my cousin Tracy was able to leave her phone with me so I could use her hotspot to Skype! Thank you Tracy!

When I was in PAN a few months ago I was fortunate to team up with a very good poet. Keith hadn't written much poetry before but said he would give it a shot. He ended up getting an award for the poem he wrote to go along with my painting "Reflections". I just wanted to share this award winning poem.

“Reflections on the Beach”

By Keith McCaffery

Infinite grains of sand

My ever shifting path

Waves dance on the water

Like shards of broken glass

The rolling dunes

Tumble downward from up high

Clouds drift apart

To reveal the clear blue sky

My mind begins to wander

Toward reflections of the past

To when I was a boy

Those days that couldn’t last

The friends that are departed

The ones who couldn’t stay

With my heart wide open

All can walk with me today

Toward the distant horizon

Toward a future unknown

Those reflections left behind me

Will guide me as I roam.

Good job Keith!

Twenty-five years ago I met Janice Sparks at a Kiwanis event in South Lyon. When she found out I was an artist she suggested I check out the South Lyon Fine Arts Society. I eventually did just that, and I met Ruth Luce, a wonderful watercolor painter, who encouraged me to paint more, who celebrated my successes and became a dear friend. These are just two of the wonderful artists I have met since moving to the South Lyon / Milford area.

After moving to Milford, with work and other obligations it became difficult to go to SLFAS meetings but someone had told me I should check out the Village Fine Arts Association. After settling into our new house, I eventually went to my first VFAA meeting at the Milford Presbyterian Church. That is where I first met Suzanne Haskew, one of the most generous, loving, creative people I have ever known. Suzie welcomed everyone with open arms. I have never known anyone who celebrated everyone's achievements as boisterously as Suzie did. She loved art, she loved her family, she loved life. Knowing that there was a group of people interested in what I was painting at the end of each month was often a motivator when work got to be too much. Suzie would gush over the paintings I took to meetings for the monthly "Artist of the Year" competition. Suzie asked me a couple times to consider being on the board but other obligations made it difficult at the time. I still remember her big smile the day I approached her and told her it was time, I could take that board position. She said "I didn't think we'd ever get you!"

Not long after I met Suzie she was involved in a millage campaign to fund a community / arts center in Milford. Unfortunately, even Suzie's persuasive nature was not enough to get people to vote "yes". Earlier this month the VFAA opened the Suzanne Haskew Arts Center "the SHAC". I had tears in my eyes the first time I walked into the space that has been transformed into an "art gym" Suzie would have loved. I feel privileged to volunteer at the SHAC and can't wait to see what it becomes.

I was honored to receive the Suzanne Haskew Award of Excellence (First Place) at the Village Fine Arts Association's annual PAN exhibit. "Crossings" is a painting of  a bridge in AuGres, MI. We were on our way home from East Tawas last fall and I noticed this fascinating bridge over the Au Gres River. I got some great photo reference of Ken and Kenai which led to this painting - a representation of a typically monochromatic late fall day leading up to winter in Michigan.

With every PAN (Poetry Art Night) entry we submit a poem. This is the poem I submitted to go along with "Crossings".

“Crossing Bridges”

By Keith McCaffery

I’ve crossed many bridges

With you by my side

Some sturdy as stone

And easy to ride

Others have been crumbling

And tumbling apart

Without your loyal friendship

I should have failed from the start

You have never questioned me

Never once lost faith

Your strength and your bravery

Always keeping the pace

We will never fail

If we do this together

We’ll cross any bridge

Come hell or rough weather