December 2020

​Current Shows: Come see me at Artisan 

THE HOLIDAY ARTIST TRAIL ADDRESSES ARE HERE!
Beginning on the downtown side of Grand Haven and ending across the highway on the East end! Find your way from location to location - bring your family! Visit each of us and qualify for a raffle drawing (you'll find raffle Trail Cards with each artist).
Get your holiday shopping done with one of a kind items actually made by the people you visit on The Trail! SEE YOU SOON!
1. Cyndi Casemier: 13489 Redbird Ln -- Instagram: cyncasemier
2A. Patricia Dee: Armory Arts Center, 17 S 2nd St., first floor -- Facebook:
PatriciaDee Designs
2B. SUNDAY ONLY Barbara Carlson Art: Armory Arts Center, 17 S 2nd St., first floor www.barbaracarlsonart.com
3A. Bryce Weenum: Carlyn and Company – 205 Washington Ave: Facebook:
Mittenwood Design Studio
3B. Tom Reverman: Carlyn and Company – 205 Washington Ave: Instagram:@5thSeason_mi
3C. SUNDAY ONLY Christi Dreese: Carlyn and Company – 205 Washington Ave: www.dreesefineart.com
4. Todd Hancock: Tenden – 19 N. Seventh St: www.tenden.us
5A. Karisha Carter: 707 Washington Avenue: Facebook:
Leeward Designs
5B. Gloria Kirk-Hanna: 707 Washington Avenue: www .gloriaKirk-Hanna.com
6. Shannon Kiernan: Garden House Floral -- 8 North Ferry Street: Facebook:
Peppermill Candle Co.
7. Chris Hornby: Holiday Pop Up 1113 Washington Ave: Facebook:
Green Dragonfly Studio
8A. Maggie Bandstra: Artisan – 1322 Washington Ave: www.maggiebandstra.com
8B. Ottawa House Clay + Glass: Artisan – 1322 Washington Ave: Facebook:
Ottawa House Clay + Glass
9. Brad Patterson: 1213 S. Beechtree Street: www.bradleygallery.com
10. Chandra Jennings: 15735 Robbins Road: www.boardtoart.net
11. Robin Van Diepenbos: Spray Tan Diva 1830 172nd Ave: Facebook:
Birch Brook Soaps
12. Jackie Helder: Re/Max 1014 S. Beacon Blvd: www. jackiehelderdesigns.com

Worth a Visit: I have gone down a bit of a rabbit hole

Diary of the Gnome adventure: Rough Draft

On November 12th, I submitted my 44-page thesis to the Painting Department at SCAD, and on November 15th, I decided to take a wall. I had about 12 ceramic gnomes. I did not really know why I made them or what I would do with them. I did not have a plan, just an attraction to these forms. It made no sense to me. But on Sunday, the stress of my papers impending due date was gone. I knew I just wanted to play. I thought it would be fun to hid one gnome in the woods near my house. Duncan Woods. Nelson and the Gnomes and Gnomes of Grand have begun. I created an Instagram account, posted a clue, and shared it on the Grand Haven Informed page and my page, and people decide to play with me. Into the woods, we went a little virtual hide and seek game started. It has been a blast. I will journal about it, and I hope that on November 15th, 2021, at 12:00 noon, we can all gather with our lucky gnomes in the woods together and celebrate a year of good luck. 

November 15th, 2020
On a beautiful fall Sunday in Michigan during a global pandemic, I needed some motivation to take my dog Nelson for a walk. I made a bantam game for myself that I could play with my community. I had a dozen little gnomes, so I decided to hide them in the woods near my house. I created an Instagram page for Nelson and the Gnomes https://www.instagram.com/gnomes_of_grand_haven/ and decided to post a clue each day and see what happens. I will chronicle how this affects my life over the next year.
Back Story:
I am a 50 (11/04/1970) year old art student finishing up my M.F.A. online at Savannah College of Art and Design. SCAD before starting this program, I had a little gallery on 7th street. It only lasted a year. The romantic vision of owning a gallery was way more fun than actually owning one, especially when I was still teaching elementary art full time. I closed the gallery and applied to Graduate School. I kept a gnome that had mysteriously shown up one day on the porch of the gallery. His name was Gnommie. Eventually, it was revealed that Dave the owner of the neighboring guitar store had placed him there for the drawing classes I was offering. He became a favorite in the still-life. This gnome began my attraction to gnomes. During fall 2019, my friend Mike Taylor posted his version of a gnome created with the same mold that Gnommie was made from on Facebook. I had to have him. I visited Mike and purchased his gnome. For some reason, I also bought a slab roller—quite an expensive and large purchase for me at the time. Especially being right in the middle of my M.F.A. in painting program. I had no use for it but had a  urge to purchase it. In the summer of 2020, at my spring 45 hour review show my friend and fellow artist Kris Campau hid a gnome in my exhibit among the ceramic grasses  that I had installed. I was visiting with another artist friend Michael Peoples, and we discussed the gnomes, and he had his version of a gnome that he had made with crayons. Not made from the same mold, but I purchased his gnome too, and so began the collection. Collecting gnomes made by people whose names start with the letter M might be a little specific, but I started my search for a large female mold by the Alberta Mold company. I wanted one of my gnomes in my collection. I am still searching for the large mold, but I found three small ones. Again, not sure why I purchased them but feeling compelled to do so, I did. I experimented with the molds and created about a dozen. They sat around for a good month or two while working on my thesis. Just patiently waiting for their turn for my attention. I fired them and glazed them. I did not think they were something I wanted to sell. But what should I do with them? Then the game in the woods came to mind. So, on November 15th, I hid my first gnome.

11/15/2020 #1 Carl
Nelson and I walked into Duncan Woods and hid our first gnome, Carl. Duncan Woods is on the edge of the town's cemetery and was given to the people of Grand Haven by Martha M.H. Duncan in memory of her husband Robert W. Duncan in 1913. Now a few years back, a young boy died in a tragic sledding accident in the woods. Children often go sledding in Duncan Woods in the winter.  The parents hired an attorney to sue the city. They lost the suit, and the attorney is attempting to find the heirs and get them to take the woods away from the people of Grand Haven. Maybe the gnomes will be good luck for the woods. Izzy and Denver found Carl. They are using the clue. @gnomes_of_grand_haven Nelson and I needed to add some excitement to our walks. So, we took Carl with us. Carl is a sleepy #gnome, so we left him in a sweet little spot to nap. It is a windy breezy day, so I hope the leaves 🍁 don’t bury him. If you find him take a picture, so I know he has a new home. He is just a bit south of the Debby. Do I love your tree? #goingonagnomehunt and I posted a photo of the tree.

11/16/2020 #2 Tiffany
Nelson and I had a lovely walk this morning with Tiffany gnome #2 so many things to discover in the woods. We found this E2 on a tree. When I googled what it meant, this came up. “what you focus on gets bigger.” I kept thinking about Henry David Thoreau on our walk. So, clue #2 is a quote from him “What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. Please only keep one gnome per family. If you wish to keep hunting, please hid the gnomes you find for others and post clues about where people can see them using #gnomesofgrandhaven #duncanwoods. Tiffany spent the night in the woods and was found the next day with an additional hint.
Erin found Tiffany I received a message from Erin the day before she found Tiffany. I just wanted to let you know what a wonderful thing your gnomes of grand haven has been for my family. As of Saturday, my son was diagnosed with Covid. We are in quarantine until December 10th. We can’t go anywhere, and our college-aged daughter now can’t even come home to be with us for Thanksgiving. Many tears have been shed these last couple of days. But for 1 hour a day, while I am on my lunch hour (I am working remotely), my family gets out into the woods and just breathes. This is exactly what we needed at this moment. SHE LATER sent me this message You should take a trip to Wroclaw someday. We are the city of dwarves. 300 little guys hidden... Just waiting to be discovered There is a whole large town in Poland that does exactly what you are doing. This message came from my husband’s cousin, who lives there.
11/28/2020 Tina was hidden again in Kirk Park. She was found that same day and is moving to Australia with her new family in a few months. 
I started this gnome hunting idea to motivate me to take walks with my dog Nelson and perhaps spread a little joy during these difficult times and encourage families to go for a hike in the woods together and have some fun.
 
1/17/2020 #3 Penny
#Tiffany is still in the woods where I left her. So maybe I hid her too well. I will give you another hint. Nelson and I saw a ❄️ or two on our walk. Tiffany is in a spot the children like to sled when lots of flakes accumulate. #penny gnome #3 is also in the woods. She wants to ask a lot of questions. #henrydavidthoreau theorizes that the roots are a system for the trees to communicate. So she is asking a fallen tree if it makes a noise when it falls if no one is there to hear it? #luckygnome Nelson and I saw seven deer and this plant. (Lambs Ear) see if you can find one. The leaves are so soft. Who knows the name of this plant?? you will get an extra clue tomorrow. If you find Penny, please write her name on the bottom. I forgot to write it on her feet. Please keep only one gnome per family. If you want to keep hunting gnomes, please re-hide and post a fun clue. Using the #nelsonandthegnomes, you can hide your gnomes anywhere. It would be fun to see this far the gnomes travel. #staysafeandhealthy #gm#nature #gnomesofinstagram #gnomesofgrandhaven
A woman found Penny on her lunch break from NOCH
 
11/18/2020 #4 Ted
Gnome is near the tree marked with Jesus’s name. It makes Nelson sad to see people cutting into the skin of the tree. #nelsonandthegnomes, we also picked up a bit of trash we saw in the woods. When you go to the woods, please leave it better than you find it for all to enjoy. Happy Wednesday #gnomesofinstagram #gnomehunting
 
1/19/2020 #5 Tina
Today Nelson and I took the path less traveled. Tina #gnome #5 is up on the ridge. The path is rooted but well worth the effort. We saw two deer watching us, so maybe they will tell you where we hid her. I received a video of a beautiful buck that Kris Campau saw while gnome hunting
11/28/2020 Tina was hidden again in Kirk Park. She was found that same day and is moving to Australia with her new family in a few months. 
I started this gnome hunting idea to motivate me to take walks with my dog Nelson and perhaps spread a little joy during these difficult times and encourage families to go for a hike in the woods together and have some fun.
 
11/20/20 #6 Chad
#nelsonandthegnomes have been quite lucky to get to play this game with you. Chad #gnome #6 is hiding near the tree with a 👑 follow the north ridge to find him. But beware of the king Buck. He is not to be messed with. Stay safe and bring your mask. If the woods are crowded, please wear it. #gnomehunt @gnomes_of_grand_haven @maggiebandstra

11/21/2020 #7 Paul
Paul is hidden near a tree the woodpeckers have enjoyed. #gnomehunt Please remember only keep one gnome per family. If you want to keep hunting after you find one, please re-hide a gnome and post a clue so others can play. You do not have to hide your gnomes in Duncan Woods. Enjoy this beautiful day, and stay well. Love 💕 #nelsonandthegnomes Paul was found by this sweet boy who re hid it the next day for these kids to find. They are sharing their find with their classes via zoom and then will re hid him tomorrow. Paul is the first one who has been re-hidden. They will post clues too.
Paul’s first finder 11/21/2020
Paul’s second finders 11/22/2020
Sunday Check-in: 90 followers on Instagram 23 posts
11/22/2020 #8 Katie
#nelsonandthegnomes and I got out early this morning. We hid Katie when you find her. You will have to write her name on her feet. I forgot to do it before we left. She is the 8th #gnome we have hidden. I love the messages I have received from people who are out #gnomehunting today was beautiful and quiet in the woods. I give you a clue in the form of a Robert Frost poem.
 
The tree the tempest with a crash of wood
Throws down in front of us is not bar
Our passage to our journey’s end for good,
But just to ask us who we think we are

Insisting always on our own way so.
She likes to halt us in our runner tracks,
And make us get down in a foot of snow
Debating what to do without an ax.

And yet she knows obstruction is in vain:
We will not be put off the final goal
We have it hidden in us to attain,
Not though we have to seize earth by the pole

And, tired of aimless circling in one place,
Steer straight off after something into space.
 #robertfrostpoem enjoy this beautiful day. I wish you good luck today and always.
 
I glazed 45 new gnomes today. I am thinking I will try and give 365 gnomes away or until people stop hunting.

11/23/2020 #9 Jenna
Nelson and I hid Jenna #gnome #9 
 
I give you another Robert Frost poem.
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Whose woods these are, I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
Jenna loves the snow and is waiting for the snow to fall so she can have some fun sledding when the time is right. I received this message from our old neighbor. Nelson and I will hide another gnome tomorrow.

11/24/2020 #10
#gnome #10 Tim is hiding near this patch of moss. It is chilly, so wear a hat and some mittens. I hope you can find Tim in the snow.

11/25/2020 #11
#gnome #11 Claire is in the woods, and so is Tim. Here is another clue to help find Tim there was a T.V. program argh argh argh the guy liked to build stuff. Someone has been building structures in the woods. Maybe it is Tim. I got a little lost hiding Claire and took a path near the parking lot. It is a bit rainy but doesn’t let that stop you from enjoying the atmosphere in the woods, so quiet and peaceful. Claire has been found.

I also went on my gnome hunt. A woman was selling the whole lot for $75, so I picked all these up, and in the lot was one large gnome. I feel like maybe I have lost my mind. John will sell what he can on eBay, and I will hold on to a few of them. Who knows where this will all lead, but it is a fun adventure during a pandemic.
 
11/26/2020 #12 Thanksgiving
#12a and #12b I decided to hide two gnomes on a walk with my family so John and Owen could hide them.
Today my family took a gnome hike and hid two # 12a Miles, and #12b May are hiding in the woods. I was so excited I finally got to see the Buck in person. Lucky day indeed. Shyle Lyons https://www.instagram.com/shylelyons/ has found May. Miles is still in his hiding spot. I will post a new clue tomorrow morning.
 
11/27/2020 #13
Today #gnome #13 John has been hidden my family names them. I hid him near this tree which looks like two trees that have grown up together. Friends. I saw some friend in the woods today which reminded me of this little song http://folklore.usc.edu/make-new-friends-but-keep-the-old-one-is-silver-and-the-other-is-gold/#:~:text=One%20is%20silver%20and%20the%20other%20is%20gold”,are%20gold%2C%20and%20the%20new%20friends%20are%20silver.
 
11/28/2020 #14 Betsy
Today we had a lovely walk in the woods, Nelson and I hid #Gnome #14 Betsy near a little baby Christmas 🎄 with no decorations on it. We also found a group of ladies decorating trees and a very curious doe. The sunlight was shining through the trees I share this poem with you. Prayer at Sunrise by
James Weldon Johnson
Now thou art risen, and thy day begun.
How shrink the shrouding mists before thy face,
As up thou spring’st to thy diurnal race!
How darkness chases darkness to the west,
As shades of light on light rise radiant from thy crest!
For thee, great source of strength, emblem of might,
In hours of darkest gloom there is no night.
Thou shinest on though clouds hide thee from sight,
And through each break thou sendest down thy light.

O greater Maker of this Thy great sun,
Give me the strength this one day’s race to run,
Fill me with light, fill me with sun-like strength,
Fill me with joy to rob the day its length.
Light from within, light that will outward shine,
Strength to make strong some weaker heart than mine,
Joy to make glad each soul that feels its touch;
Great Father of the sun, I ask this much
 
Sunday Check-in: 132 followers
11/29/2020 #15 Lou
Day 15 of Hiding #gnomes in #Duncanwoods in #grandhaven #nelsonandthegnomes today we took a long walk it is sunny and a beautiful day to explore. Lou is hiding in a structure shaped like a shield and hear a shield. The woods have been a great daily escape. Nelson hopes you can put down your armor for a minute and enjoy the day. Betsy has been found and Miles has been hidden so well I can’t remember where he is. So he might be gone and he might not. Tina is off to Australia with her new family. Please keep me updated on what the gnomes up to. I hope they are brining you all good luck and fun adventures. Use the #nelsonandthegnomes
 
11/30/2020 #16
Nelson and I hid #gnome #16 Fredrick #nelsonandthegnomes just north of this lovely restful meditative location. No time to rest today is a busy Monday. It was a chilly walk but I feel much better and refreshed after my walk. We also found this bag of poop. What happens when you find poop on your trail? Do you leave it for someone else or do you pick it up and take care of it if you can. #leavethewoodsbetterthanhowyoufoundit no poop on the trail anymore. I struggled for a minute with being angry at the person who left it but let go of that cause it does not serve me. #findjoyinthejourney even the messy nasty parts.

​Upcoming shows

March Poppy Show at the Gallery Uptown.
If you know anyone who painted at the Fennville Poppy Fields During the spring of 2020 Please share this link with them. 
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf5UzVNuOQ_1Jy-u6uOsIcR3LUlWv8Pjqr4axkqmFk2Xclb7w/viewform?usp=sf_link

​What I am Reading: I am reading about ceramic molds.

I will get back to painting very soon!

Truth be told I love playing with art supplies of all kinds I have been neglecting the clay while working on my M. F. A. in painting. Going between mediums makes me feel like my work stays fresh. While working with one media, ideas come full force in another medium. Almost like the thoughts are fighting for my attention. Or like the gnomes waiting patiently for their turn for me to create them.