“Can we stay here longer?” my youngest son asked from atop a mossy boulder.

My husband and I watched as our three boys climbed the giant rocks, sometimes jumping from one to the next. They explored every little nook and cranny between the boulders, looking for hidden treasures and calling one another over when they found something new.

We weren’t that far from home — just a few hours north — but it felt like we’d stepped foot into another world. The dense cedar forests and rocky shorelines of the Upper Peninsula were so different from the sandy dunes of our Lake Michigan hometown.

Our travels took us along the shores of Lake Huron, where we hiked, biked, and explored new sights. For my boys, especially, it felt like a good summer adventure.

“We should come back here!” my middle son exclaimed, jumping down from the boulder where he had been perched like a true explorer. I couldn’t help but smile.

There’s something wonderful about experiencing the world through your child's eyes. Their wonder is contagious. Had I been there alone, I would have marveled at the beautiful view of the rocky shoreline before me, but they opened my eyes to a world of enchantment — a place full of imagination, treasures, and possibility.

The Shoreline Collection is a series of paintings inspired by this sense of awe-struck wonder and exploration. It’s an ode to the astonishing diversity of Michigan’s shorelines and discovering beauty in new places. I’m so excited to share these pieces with you!

*“Found” 30×30” oil on canvas (above fireplace)*

*“You Are Not Far” 16×20” oil on canvas*

Seeing the World with Childlike Wonder

It felt like we stepped into a magical land. With gnarled roots, tall bright green ferns, and giant mossy rocks, it was one of the most memorable hikes we enjoyed all year.

Dave and I had come across the Bush Bay Trail when planning our family vacation to the Upper Peninsula in Michigan and were intrigued by the more common name of the trail: the Narnia Trail. When we read about an actual lamppost in the middle of the woods, we couldn’t help but share this tidbit with our boys, who quickly began buzzing with anticipation.

From the moment we set foot on the trail, each step we took felt like a step deeper into the enchanting world of Narnia. With lush green grasses, towering trees, and giant boulders, we half expected to encounter Mr. Tumnus somewhere along the path. When we reached the trail's end, we found ourselves standing on an array of rugged rocks looking out over a lake filled with wonderful mystery.

I can still hear the excitement in my sons’ voices as they continued to explore, hopping from rock to rock along the shoreline. I felt a similar overwhelming joy as I soaked in the moment, realizing how special it was to encounter this new place with childlike wonder.

The Shoreline Collection is all about appreciating moments like these, serving as a reminder to step out and experience the natural world with wonder and curiosity.

*“Your Way Is Better” 16×20” oil on canvas*

The Gift of Exploring New Places

Alongside embracing a mindset of childlike wonder, I’ve been reflecting on just how transformative it can be to explore new places. There is something incredibly powerful about stepping into an unfamiliar landscape. It stirs our sense of wonder, fosters curiosity, and cultivates a deeper appreciation for the beauty and complexity of the natural world.

We often define the word “explore” by expecting something grand and adventurous, when really it’s an invitation to slow down and notice the details. In my own experience, exploring has a way of reconnecting us with nature that feels both humbling and inspiring. We begin to recognize the true diversity of our ecosystems, understanding that we cannot protect what we do not take the time to observe and learn about first.

Our family trip to the U.P. was rich with these kinds of experiences. While hiking on one of the trails, we met a couple joyfully gathering berries in the woods. They were excited to tell us all about thimbleberries — soft, sweet fruit that resembles red raspberries and grows wild. Every year, they return to this very spot to forage. We couldn’t resist trying a few ourselves, and in doing so, shared in their tradition.

Somewhere between the dense, rugged forests and rocky shorelines of our summer travels, I was reminded that at the heart of exploration is a spirit of curiosity. We’d found ourselves on the shores of Lake Huron, scouring the stone-filled beaches for interesting rocks with the same wonderment as our rock-picking adventures back home.

Lake Michigan, too, holds its own mystery and magic. With stretching shorelines shaped by shifting sands and rolling waves, there are treasures waiting for those willing to look closely. Hidden among the pebbles are gleaming bits of slag and fossilized ancient coral called Petoskey stones. Each stone is like a story, worn smooth by time and water.

There’s something timeless and mesmerizing about exploring the lake’s shoreline. Maybe it’s the promise of uncovering something new or witnessing the wonder of nature. Or perhaps it’s simply the joy of watching the summer waves lap the shore.

Whatever it may be, it’s clear that the more we engage with the natural world — really see it, touch it, learn from it — the deeper our connection with nature becomes. Each painting in the Shoreline Collection carries this spirit of exploration and awe. While the pieces depict the beauty of the Great Lakes, they’re not just visual tributes. They are invitations to explore, embrace wonder, learn something new, and care more deeply for the world around us.

So, whether or not you’ve walked these shores yourself, I hope this collection speaks to the explorer inside you.

May these paintings inspire a sense of awe, spark curiosity, and remind you that even the smallest moments of exploration can lead to incredible gifts to cherish for a lifetime. After all, you certainly don’t have to go far to experience the enchantment of tumbling through a wardrobe.