This summer my husband's family and I made a trip to Door County, Wisconsin.  A beautiful Midwest area that has a true coastal feel.  I had never been before and was excited to take my plein air kit with.  We explored all over Door County tasting delicious cherry confections ( grown locally), toured lighthouses and boated on Lake Michigan.  I wanted to try and sneak in a plein air painting within the trip but was very conscious of everyone's time.  I do not want to hold up everyone by staying in one spot painting for 2 to 3 hours.  I did really want to paint a lighthouse from life.  So thankfully we made it work where I was able to set up and paint the Cana Island Lighthouse.  My husband sat and read a book while the others went on to do something else. 

I was very pleased with the way the painting turned out.  We toured quite a few more lighthouses on our trip and I wished I could paint them all.   Maybe another time, on my lonesome. 

I also wanted to paint some boats in a harbor.  Living on the prairie there is no such thing to paint.  I mean, I guess that isn't true.  We do have slips for boats, but what is romantic about a pontoon? ;)  Once again keeping in mind everyone's time, I chose after dinner to go to the marina and find a boat.  My husband's father is also an artist and came with.  He sketched in ink and I set up my oils.  The light ran away as the sun went down and eventually we had to pack up.  I took a photo of the scene in hopes to someday finish it in the studio.  I loved the name of the boat. 

We had so much fun exploring Door County.  I think we came home with 10+ pounds of cheese.  I would recommend to anyone to visit Door County Wisconsin.  They have goats on roofs, cherries galore and the best cheese you will ever taste ( Renard's Terrific Trio Cheese).