Meandering Around Michigan

Meandering Around Michigan

For the first time after 3 solid years of foreign and domestic travel, I returned to my home state of Michigan to visit family and friends in various towns, reflect on my roots, and see what’s new. It turns out there’s a lot! On the west side of the state, Grand Rapids has been named Beer City USA, and the foodie scene has exploded. In the fall Artprize takes over Grand Rapids, bringing thousands to peruse paintings, sculpture,...

Read More

The Art of Travel Photography

The Art of Travel Photography

Do you want to see the famous sights of the world and bring back great photos to remember them by? Or maybe take better pictures when you head out camping or to the beach? Are flowers and food shots your thing when you travel? Puppies and kittens and critters you meet? Selfies or portraits of your new best friend? How about a few more interesting pics to share on social media like Facebook and Instagram? This isn’t a comprehensive guide...

Read More

The Art of Making Rugs in Teotitlan del Valle

The Art of Making Rugs in Teotitlan del Valle

Teotitlan del Valle is a colorful village of rug-makers just outside of Oaxaca in southern Mexico where Zapotecs have produced rugs for many generations. How much time does it take to hand-make a rug? Answer – a lot! After sheep are sheared, wool is washed, carded, and spun into yarn, then the yarn must be dyed. Some weavers still use all natural materials for color, such as indigo for blue, nut shells for brown, marigolds for yellow, and...

Read More

Wandering Oaxaca, Mexico

Wandering Oaxaca, Mexico

What is it about Oaxaca that entices visitors to come and to linger? Let’s wander around and see… The first thing that I noticed, being a painter and photographer, is that Oaxaca is a city of colors – color is everywhere! From the buildings on the bustling streets… …to the walls of graffiti – whimsical, playful, pretty, and political. Turn a corner, and what do you see? Balloon sellers in the Zocalo, along...

Read More

California Dreaming – Southern Beach Towns

California Dreaming – Southern Beach Towns

Part 2 – Los Angeles and Southern California Beach Towns As a second act to my return to California, I’m happy to present a tour of the Golden State’s best southern beach towns, along with a tiny glimpse of LA. The Megabus droned on through the night for eight hours from San Francisco, depositing me in the heart of Los Angeles in the wee hours, where my friend Lisa was kind enough to scoop me up. It had been several years...

Read More