Originally from Central Illinois, and after living in numerous other states, I relocated for a teaching position to Ludington, Michigan in 1993. I remember driving up from Chicago, where I was currently living, for the job interview and noticing the change from extensive industry to more and more trees lining the highway. I am still entranced by the many lakes, especially Lake Michigan, as well as the nearby dunes and woods, and find much of my inspiration in nature. While I don't do many landscapes, the everchanging light and shade and color to be found in the trees, in the water and sky can be calming...or can be intense. We generally have five months of black, brown, gray and white! But who remembers that when our summer comes around!