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What am I creating NOW for Holland Hospital?

I am blessed to be able to create happy art for the healthcare facilities. Providing the community and workers with something positive and uplifting in their hallways, reception areas and offices. My latest project is for Holland Hospital. A view on top of the dunes looking out towards the lake with Big Red in the distance. I've been working with Mindi Freng (Mindi Freng Designs from East Grand Rapids) for a couple decades now! Happy to call her a great friend and fellow creative. We get each other and gel well.



Love my upside-down sticker? LOL🤪


The great part about being a painter is that I get to omit, change and add to the painting in process. I use photos for reference. Majority of my paintings come from my personal photographs. In this case, I'm using multiple photos for reference to create the perfect painting. Changing some of the landscape and turning the fall colors into a summer inspiration and adding a sunset. Looks like I will need to take a trip to this area now that it is starting to green up for additional photos and future paintings!


"The possibilities are endless if you let your imagination take hold. Freedom to create the unknown!" -Christi Dreese



The space will include a few other paintings and therefore I will need this piece to work well with the additional paintings in the room. The deadline is tight with an installation date of June 5th. I've also been spinning ideas around a little too long instead of just getting started. A little procrastination! However, once I get started, I kick it in high gear. Inspired, motivated and on a mission. I think I actually work better under pressure when it gets down to the nitty gritty. I really hone down and focus on what needs to be done. Over analyzing just doesn't help.


I'm off to a good start and I have the first layer blocked in. I prep all of my canvas' black. The colors really pop off of the canvas. I leave a little bit of black here and there exposed throughout the painting. Chalk seems to be the easiest and most forgiving if I want to change something. It's easy to see the outline and I can use baby wipes to wipe it out if I don't like it or change my mind.