Tag Archives: Ludington

Fundraiser is Saturday

I have three small 8×8″ acrylic paintings available to buy in the Ludington Area Center for the Arts center Grab and Go fundraiser. Each is available for purchase starting at 10 am this Saturday, September 4, 2021.

From their newsletter: “…you’re invited to join us on Saturday starting at 10 a.m. for our 2nd annual Grab & Go Fundraiser… The Grab & Go is back this year with the theme of “Grab a Piece of Ludington.” Each 8×8 canvas artwork is available for only $35 on a first come-first serve basis. All proceeds go to LACA, thanks to the time and talent of local artists.”

Artwork will be available for viewing in person Friday, September 3 at 11:00 am.

Here are the three I donated to the cause:

Marie Marfia, Trash Pickin', acrylic on canvas, 8 in x 8 in — Trash Pickin’, acrylic on canvas, 8 in x 8 in

Marie Marfia, Been There Done That Bought the Sweatshirt, acrylic on canvas, 8 in x 8 in. — Been There, Done That, Bought the Sweatshirt, acrylic on canvas, 8 in x 8 in.

Marie Marfia, Morning Sam, Morning Ralph, acrylic on canvas, 8 in x 8 in. — Morning Sam, Morning Ralph, acrylic on canvas, 8 in x 8 in.

And here’s a timelapse of the second pass on “Morning Sam, Morning Ralph.”

Time lapse of the second pass on “Morning Sam, Morning Ralph.”

I tried to fulfill the requirements implied for a fundraiser with the theme of “Grab a Piece of Ludington,” without being too traditional. I played around with the naming and/or the composition for all three. I wanted Ludington landmarks but I wanted humor in there somewhere, because that’s just who I am. I like to laugh. A lot. Sometimes I’m the only one who gets the joke, but that’s okay, too.

Trash Pickin’ is all about the seagulls. I relate to them because I’m a trash picker, too. Ever hopeful that what I bring home from a thrift store or estate or yard sale is going to be useful for a future project, that’s me. I may end up throwing it right back out again in six months, but in the moment I am optimistic as hell.

Been There, Done That, Bought the Sweatshirt reminds me of a time when I and some fellow Rotarians brought visitors from Thailand to the Big Sable Point lighthouse and they asked whether the prices of the sweatshirts in the gift shop were reasonable. I opened my big mouth and told them, “If you want clothing that says “Ludington” on it, Goodwill has a lot of it and it’s a whole lot cheaper.” I understand that shortly after their thrift store experience the group learned about garage sales next and then insisted on stopping at every one of them on their way up to visit the Traverse City Rotary Club. A good time was had by all, and they got some really good deals to take home from their visit besides. A win-win.

For Morning Sam, Morning Ralph, I was nearly done with it when I realized the juxtaposition of the carferry and the barge in the composition reminded me of a Looney Tunes cartoon about Sam the Sheepdog and Ralph the Coyote. Remember them? How they punched in and out of a time clock before getting on with their daily work routines, Ralph trying to steal a sheep, and Sam trying to deter Ralph from a life of crime? Do they make cartoons like that anymore? Should they? Who’s they, anyhow?

Here’s all of the art available:

I got a picture of all 72 canvases (holy cow!) at the Member Show opening last night. Can you find my three?

You have to go in person to purchase, or possibly you could call LACA 231-845-2787 and tell them over the phone which canvases you’d like. But best to be safe and get yours in person. There might be a scrum! Wouldn’t that be cool?

UPDATE: All three of my small paintings have sold! Thanks to whoever it was that helped raise money for LACA. I appreciate your generosity! There are still more pieces available to purchase. Grab a piece of Ludington today!

Grab N Go fundraiser paintings for purchase — Grab N Go fundraiser paintings still available for purchase

Sign up for my Marie Marfia Fine Art newsletter! You’ll get regular updates about my latest work in the studio plus insights into my process. Plus, get a free downloadable print just for signing up!

You can buy my art imprinted on all kinds of cool stuff in my Fine Art America Shop. You can purchase my original art on Daily Paint Works.

Ludington Gold Coast Artisan Fair

I’m showing my skeleton art at the Ludington Gold Coast Artisan Fair on August 14-15, 2021 in Rotary Park, Ludington, Michigan. I hope you can come!

The Ludington Gold Coast Artisan Fair is a fun event, drawing more than 170 vendors showing everything from lawn art to original drawings to household crafts. A lot of the booths feature local artisans. It’s a great way to purchase unique hand-crafted items for holidays, anniversaries and birthdays!

About Ludington

If you have never been to Ludington, it is worth the trip! Ludington is a beautiful resort town with a deep water harbor on the shores of Lake Michigan. There are beaches galore here, plus lots of choices for dining, shopping and stuff to do outdoors, including the Ludington State Park with its miles of hiking, biking and canoe trails, and beautiful beaches!

Print giveaway

Stop by my booth and enter the drawing for an 11×14″ framed and matted print of Neverending Love Story! You don’t have to buy anything to enter, but you can sign up for my Bone Appetit newsletter at the same time if you like.

The details

What: Gold Coast Artisan Fair
Where: Booth C-26 (Court Street), Rotary Park, downtown Ludington, Michigan
When: Saturday, August 14, 10 am-5 pm and Sunday, August 15, 10 am-4 pm

Where to find me

I’ll be in space C-26, which is on the Court Street side of the park. Hope to see you there!

Some of what I’m bringing

Marie Marfia, The Kiss (Skelly Lovers), soft pastel on textured gator board with gilding, 18x18". — The Kiss (Skelly Lovers), soft pastel on textured gator board with gilding, 18×18″.

Marie Marfia, Neverending Love Story, soft pastel, 12x16.375 — The Kiss (Skelly Lovers), soft pastel on textured gator board with gilding, 18×18″.

I’ll have stickers, greeting cards, small prints, large prints and some original pastels in my booth. Plus, don’t forget to sign up for the giveaway!

Sign up for my Bone Appetit newsletter! You’ll get regular updates about my latest work in the studio and insights into my process. Plus, get a free downloadable print just for signing up!

You can buy my art imprinted on all kinds of cool stuff in my Fine Art America Shop. You can purchase my original art on Daily Paint Works.

Winter Dune Path

This scene if from a recent walk along the dunes in wintertime. I love the Ludington State Park!

This painting was for sale on ebay. When you bid on this painting you’re helping me contribute to AFFEW, a local environmental organization. Thanks for your support!

Winter Path to an Inland Sea, pastel painting of a path through the dunes to Lake Michigan

pastel painting of dune grass and snow in the winter time — Winter Dune Path, soft pastel on paper, 9×6″.

This painting is from a walk along the beach in the middle of Michigan winter. I love this time of year because there is so much drama. It’s a beautiful time to visit the beach!

Winter Dune Grass, pastel painting of a dune on Lake Michigan with snow

Marie Marfia, Winter Dune Grass, soft pastel on paper, 9x6" — Winter Dune Grass, soft pastel on paper, 9×6″

This painting is from a walk along the Lake Michigan shoreline during winter time. The snow peeks in and out of the grasses which are blowing in the wind. You can see the lake under dark clouds. One of my favorite times of year. So much drama!

You can buy my art imprinted on all kinds of cool stuff in my Fine Art America Shop. You can purchase my original art on Daily Paint Works.

Big Dune, pastel painting of a hill at the beach with grass and snow

Last weekend during a break between snow storms my husband and I went out to the state park and walked along the shore for a bit. It was so pretty out there. I love how the beach grass reflects the last light of the day and how the snow peeks out between all the clumps. It’s beautiful here.

This painting is for sale on ebay. When you bid on this painting you’re helping me contribute to AFFEW, a local environmental organization. Thanks for your support!

Click to see the eBay listing

http://ebay.us/UatJii?cmpnId=5338273189

Sad-Eyed Dog and Iris Eyes

Where was I?

Oh yes, I was posting every day about my 100 Acrylics in 100 Days project. Whelp, there have been developments and suffice to say, I’m still doing these, but there may be interruptions from time to time. Please bear with me. I appreciate your patience.

Every time a Pride Festival happens…

…someone gets their wings. I was asked to provide a pair of wings for the Pride Festival coming up here in Ludington, Michigan on June 10 at Rotary Park. So here they are. I painted them on a gessoed tablecloth stretched to about 4’x5′. Hope you can come out and get your picture taken with these lovely rainbow wings. I’ll be there!

: black outline

: putting in color

: finished!

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Seeing the Horizon

I was thinking about these little paintings of the dunes at the Ludington State Park and how I’d started painting them without a payoff, you know? Like the dunes were the obstacles in my life and I couldn’t see the horizon anywhere and then I thought, I need to put the water in there. I need to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I need a carrot so that I keep on climbing. So I put Lake Michigan in the middle of everything because that’s where I want to be.

This painting is on ebay as of 9pm tonight. Bidding starts at 99¢.

Back in the Swing

Had a very nice weekend with friends up in Leelanau County. It sure is pretty up there. Steve took some pictures of the lakeshore. We were hiking around on Lake Michigan, looking for ice caves. Saw a few but I generally stay away from the edge of the ice. I have a fear of being trapped under ice. When Steve used to take the kids out to look at ice caves I would stay home and worry. It was easier than going along and worrying.

Anyway, we hiked around and played some games and celebrated an old friend’s birthday. This is her last year as a fifty-something. Hope it’s a fabulous one.

I’m going to try to step up my daily painting game in anticipation of our vacation coming up at the end of March. I’d like to have enough daily paintings to keep seven at auction the whole time I’m away. We’ll see. If I go back to my old practice of two a day, I should have plenty stockpiled by the time we leave on March 18.

This painting is on ebay as of 9pm tonight. Bidding starts at 99¢.

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Of Two Minds

Finally heard from my youngest after what felt like years but was probably only a month and a half. He’s been struggling to find work for almost a year. I had high hopes that this month he’d found something because we hadn’t yet got word that he needed rent money. Now I’m thinking we ought to reconsider whether or not to send it.

I am of two minds about this. I want to continue to provide for him because I’m his mother, it’s what I’ve done for twenty plus years. But I want him to stand on his own two feet. I can’t continue to be his safety net because as long as I do that he can’t call himself independent.

The pros to cutting him off: He lives in Florida, so if he has to live in his car, he won’t freeze to death. He’s got friends who will let him couch surf if he has to. He’s smart and resourceful, he can solve his own problems.

The cons: I feel like I’m throwing my baby out of a moving car. If he does end up on the street and something terrible happens I’ll never forgive myself. If he reneges on his lease, our name is still on it and they’ll come after us.

But you know what? there are all sorts of things that I already can’t forgive myself for, so really, what’s one more thing? And while it feels really crummy to cut him off on Valentine’s Day, any other day will feel just as bad. Probably.

Sigh. Children. I love them but it’s so hard to do the right thing. I suppose if it was easy, everyone would be doing it.

This painting is on ebay as of 9pm tonight. Bidding starts at 99¢.