Introducing Artist’s Point: The View from There and Back. The print depicts the trail that exists between Lake Superior and the bay of Grand Marais. It’s a stroll I’ve taken, to the light house and back, so many times throughout the years with friends or alone. It’s the perfect spot to jump between rocks, sit and admire the names carved over 100 years ago beneath your feet, or to view the hills of Grand Marais from an unbeatable perspective. It’s not always accessible, as the signs caution ‘weather permitting!’ which always makes the trek just a little more special. Like you’re entering an agreement with Superior, and she’s permitted a visit to the end of the point.

This carving forced me to slow down, to think through every section with an abundance of care. I wanted to be more intentional about varying my mark making, to carefully emphasize the sloping curves of the rocks and to highlight the architectural elements that exist in conjunction to the natural landscape. And obviously what’s most evident, is the (fairly large) Belle that has made her way back into the scene. If you’re new to Art With Belle, you probably haven’t seen an inclusion of myself in my art lately! When I began my artistic journey I frequently tackled self portraits (you can see it if you scroll way back!) and that carried through to my very first print Stargazer where a likeness of myself popped up in a more ambiguous way. It’s been 6 years since I carved my first print, and it’s been nice to look back on the journey to pinpoint where I’ve felt the need to update my presence within my own work.