We are pleased to share the completed works of the 2026 CWC Artists from their summer residency. The cohort produced numerous pieces that take you on a stroll through CWC nature preserves via the eyes of the artist and their medium. It is our honor to facilitate this unique experience to regional artists and showcase the beauty of central Michigan’s wild spaces. We hope these pieces inspire you to explore nature and maybe even create some art of your own! A heartfelt thanks to the amazing artists for sharing their talent and experience.

Annie Chapman Brewer

Pastorale

“Pastorale” takes you through a musical hike in Audubon Woods, immediately stepping out into the forest where we hear the trees and acorns immediately following the motions of the wind. The horn (the hiker) here takes note, and exemplifies how beautifully cascading this forest all sounds together. The horn sees the rolling hills, layering of tree canopies, bringing oneself into a sense of ease and awe. Sounds are all layered just like the landscape itself, featuring all the birds I heard during my several hikes there including: goldfinches, a pileated woodpecker, chickadees, tufted titmice, and eastern wood peewees. Please enjoy this solo. I hope it provides you with the same peaceful feeling Audubon woods did for me.

My two favorite ways to spend time are playing my instrument, and hiking through natural lands. It’s been a privilege to combine the two all thanks to the artist residency through Chippewa Watershed Conservancy. Artists never quite know what will strike them and when. This is the beauty of capturing what we experience through our various “lenses”! I didn’t know where to start, quite literally. There are so many trails and parcels of land to adventure on, all to which I plan to explore on my own in the future. Ultimately, I decided to take artistic residence in Audubon Woods. From the brochure and readings it seemed like a wonderful option to gather sounds while experiencing different types of terrain. Low and behold, that was a great choice! And, as someone who grew up in the woods of northern Michigan, my first few steps out on a midsummer Friday morning brought a sense of ease. No one else, human-wise, was present; only the wind channeling itself through the trees, plopping plump acorns onto the forest floor. I gathered inspired sounds to create my “soundscape” for further brainstorming, as well as photos to remind me how the woods looked that same day. From there, I started humming. How could I write and capture the essence of hearth here in this pocket on earth?

To listen on YouTube, click here. 

 

 

 

 

April Burke

Solace of the Preserves

To create this series of watercolor paintings, Solace of the Preserves, I began by exploring the Bundy Hill and Hall’s Lake preserves, taking numerous digital photos, carefully observing the scenery, and admiring the countless tree, animal, and plant species. Spending hours alone in the preserves, I became attuned to the quietude of the forests and inspired by gentle wind and fluctuating light and shadows. I developed a great sense of gratitude for these special places and the many people who have preserved them over the years.

I referenced a few of my photos while painting, exploring different approaches to the subject. Some of the paintings are more spontaneous and abstract, some more detailed. For some, I used more of the pointillist technique of applying small dots of paint, and for others I used broader swaths of paint. In all though, I sought to capture the feelings these preserves evoked for me: solace, comfort, peace, and being at home.

Maggie Edwards

The Monarch and Silver Spotted Skipper: I watched colorful pollinators flutter through wispy grasses to choose between flowers along the Chippewa River. A Monarch Butterfly and a Silver Spotted Skipper mingled and eventually settled on their fragrant selection before peacefully swapping places and flying away. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Great Blue Heron: Perched along the Chippewa River, I watched a Great Blue Heron basking in the early sun rays of a warm August morning. While he stands stoically, the cold water rushes around his feet and the grasses around him sway with the wind.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Forest Floor: As I was walking through Sylvan Solace Preserve, I noticed a large tree trunk rotting away. In its place, vibrant mushrooms and spongy mosses took over, flourishing inside the hollow trunk and covering its bark. Under dappled sunlight, I watched the cycle of life continue right before me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The CWC’s Artist Residency was a wonderful opportunity for me to experience a different perspective on nature in my local area. I’ve always enjoyed being outdoors on hikes and adventures, so it felt special to slow down and really take the time to appreciate our nature preserves, pay attention to the small details around me, and then translate those details into my paintings.

Tina Vivian

View From the Bench; June Above the River; Rain to Come; Riverside Weave; Grassy Shore

Peace Like a River; On the Banks of the Chippewa; Home for Herons; Cathedral; Chippewa Pastoral

My residency with the Chippewa Watershed Conservancy has been rewarding and challenging in all the best ways. Hauling my materials deep into the woods or dealing with the effects of a sudden shower are all part of the deal while painting “en plein air,” but the beauty of the surroundings that continuously surprised me was well worth the effort.

 I wanted to experience as many preserves as time would allow and found myself returning to Sylvan Solace, Hiawatha Hills and Audubon Woods for painting, but it feels as though my exploration is just beginning. Spring, fall and winter will surely be inspirational in their own unique ways, the fresh greens of spring, the bold colors of fall, and the striking contrasts of winter. I want to experience them all.

While painting, I loved hearing the voices of kayakers as they paddled down the Chippewa at Sylvan Solace or Hiawatha Hills. They chattered happily, the children laughed, and the dogs wriggled expectantly as they sniffed the air.

At Hiawatha Hills a family of deer never failed to greet me, staring in rapt curiosity at my strange trappings.

The stillness and luminous atmosphere of Audubon Woods offered an enchanting sanctuary with herons diving and rising over the river while woodpeckers tapped their mysterious code.

I’m grateful for the chance to focus on the CWC’s preserves for painting adventures this summer and to Bob for always being willing to share the journey with me. Of course, the fishing was a pretty good lure.

I hope you see my love of these places in my paintings and maybe recognize a spot that you love, too.

Fall Fundraiser Art Show Gallery

The 2026 Artists in Residence showcased their completed works during the annual Fall Fundraiser on October 7th. It was a great opportunity for the artists to mingle with attendees and talk about their experiences. Unfortunately, Maggie Edwards was unable to attend.