The world needs more books like this! 

I recently read an extraordinary new YA novel, entitled The Moth Girl, written by Heather Kamins. Why do I make such a bold statement?

Let’s be honest. It’s spring, we want to get in the water. But what to do when Lake Michigan is still quite brisk, but you can’t help yourself? 

Water temps in the low 30s...

http://www.jkroyce.wordpress.comFrom 5/26/22 through 6/8/22, you can get a free 211-page PDF of Exploring Michigan’s Upper Peninsula Coasts. Go to author Julie Royce’s website at www.jkroyce.wordpress.com. Click the button on the sidebar and provide your email. Your email will be deleted once the book is sent. If you like the book, tell your friends and suggest they get the free PDF or buy the book on Amazon. Better yet, if you like it, write a review on Amazon.

One of our favorite places within Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park is the art exhibition space. In an enormous complex completely devoted to art and nature, there’s so much to see here. But as you excitedly venture through the front doors and traverse the gorgeous new entryway, plan time to peruse a landmark art exhibition before heading to the Butterflies are Blooming exhibit in the conservatory (running now) or exploring the vast sculpture gardens (perhaps once we stay above freezing temps here in Michigan). 

It was a water photo that drew me in, of course. A snow-covered rock up on Minnesota’s North Shore, sun peeking through icicles, wave movement, sea smoke, the gorgeous clouds of sunrise…Minneapolis photographer Scott Youmans captured magic in that moment, and shared it with us all. 

I first discovered an extraordinary artist, Erica Bradshaw, in a local coffeeshop (you can't be surprised!), Great Grounds Coffee. Her use of colors was not only beautiful, but made me want to stop and look more closely. Little did I know that when I explored her socials (especially her gorgeous instagram!), I would fall into an Alice-like rabbit hole of delight. 

When death leads to life, art is inevitable. And art, as creation, is a reflection of its creator. Brinston and his work consistently grapple with the revolution of death and life and death again. The cacophonous symphony of color and shape, rhythm and structure that compose his work is all at once chaotic and calm. Just as the artist himself is an amalgam of mania and peace. The composition of art and artist is indistinguishable... just as his art is an extension of himself, the artist has become an extension of his art. For the artist, art is valuable in its making life worth living.

From September 25th – October 30th, 2021, downtown Los Angeles’ Corey Helford Gallery proudly presents their next major solo show, entitled Monochrome, Apples and Animals, from Japanese oil painter Mayuka Yamamoto in the Main Gallery.

The minute I saw the art of Kippy Sage, I was entranced. There's a certain joie de vivre that glows from within her art; her creativity is extraordinary! Read on for more about Kippy, including inspiration, finding her art online, and a special project with the Smithsonian.

Without further ado, the words and art of Kippy Sage...