I feel so lucky to live in Kalamazoo. This town is rife with creativity! Such is the case with our featured artist this month, Bridget Fox. She's just lovely in person, and her art? Well, it brings such joy. I especially love her paintings of water - they call to me, and soothe the soul. 

I love where I live!  

It was the lighthouse, of course, that caught my attention. Those important beacons of light work even through the internet, apparently. I saw one of Gregory Bozik's photos, and was drawn in immediately. A Michigan photographer, he's got an incredible eye for sharing the beauty of our state - and, of course, of our deep love of the Great Lakes. 

There is nothing more intriguing - and beautiful - than a handmade book. Created with care and skill, it invites endless possibilities...poems, stories, musings, sketches, watercolors - things that capture a moment. 

Imagine my pure delight at finding a bookbinding artist, Crystal Shaulis, here in Kalamazoo - through Instagram! I immediately fell in love with her work, vision, and dedication to her art.

Nic Sagodic has been running his own landscaping business for about 5 years now. In his free time, Nic likes to skateboard, hike, hammock, and anything that has to do with the outdoors. Photography has given Nic many opportunities to meet new people, explore our beautiful country, and to make a living, too. 

I knew at first glance that our featured artist, Jan Clizer, truly understands how to share the essence of place. Her paintings are utterly evocative, and whatever the subject, take us around the world. I love them - and so will you.

This past fall, while watching the costume contest at Grand Rapids Comic Con, I was weary. I was sitting up front near stage left, so that I could get a glimpse of the incredible costumes as they exited the stage. However, as you know if you have seen a costume contest, they take a while.

Wandering the Artist Alley at Grand Rapids Comic Con, we were stunned with the talent everywhere we glanced. Like everyone in the hall, we looked and marveled, and then the next booth came, and we did the same, ad infinitem. When we discovered artist Melissa Cordes, though, we actually stopped (never an easy feat at a busy comic con) and talked. So impressed with her talent, beautiful art, wide variety of styles, and joy in creating, we knew we had to share her art with our wandering educators. 

Ted Nelson is an outdoor adventure travel blogger based out of Chicago who runs the travel blog Traveling Ted. He specializes in cross-country skiing, canoeing, hiking/backpacking, and international budget travel. He prefers to count jungles, rainforests, and national parks visited instead of countries and states; however, the latter count is 30 and 42. 

I cannot express how excited I am to present my art teacher, Kaylon Khorsheed, as our featured Artist of the Month. She has challenged me in ways that I didn't know I needed; she works through problems with my ceramics even when I am frustrated with a piece - and not just to talk me out of putting it in the slop bin. She makes sure to spend time with everyone in the class, helping them with their goals and projects.