Victorian Summer Gallery

2011-06-12T12:20:00.000-07:00

Some of our artists at the reception.

Mary Lou Peters with some of her fans who just bought a painting of hers.

Kevin Barton with the winning painting.

Noel Skiba with her entry.

We just had a wonderful reception at the gallery for the lilac festival poster presentation. One of Kevin Barton's paintings was chosen for this year's poster. Also present were some of our other artists, Diane Neyer, Bill Murcko, Mary Lou Peters and Noel Skiba. We will have artists out in front of the gallery all week as well to celebate the Lilac Festival. Feel free to come by and meet them.

2011-06-11T12:47:00.001-07:00

About two weeks ago we had some very nice customers in the gallery that were interested in a painting by Betty Bea Washburn. However, Betty Bea forgot to sign it and was gracious enough to come in the next day to sign it and meet the customer. Here is part of a letter they sent to Betty Bea:

"We have a room in our house dedicated to our country and the military. Your painting will be hung above the fireplace to represent the pride and patriotism that our great country prides itself by adorning it with our American flag that so many have sacrificed to keep it flying. Our home was on tour at Christmas time. Four hundred people passed through. Don't know when the next tour will be, but can't wait to tell the story about the forgotten signature and how we were destined to meet."

I hope that they enjoy their painting for many years to come. Betty Bea's new work is in the gallery and it gorgeous. Please come by to check it out.

2011-06-11T12:13:00.000-07:00

Happy 2011 season everyone. Here's hoping the weather will be beautiful and there will be lots of tourists enjoying the island. This year will be a little different as we have new staff at Victorian Summer Gallery. Kathy Holt will be managing the gallery this year. Please welcome her when you come in to see the new works we have. Barb Humphrey will continue to manage Lilacs and Lace this year. Kate Dupree will also be working along with Karen Tallman. We have already received new work from Bill Murcko, Tim Widener, Noel Skiba, Gail Hayton, Karen Ciske and others.

2010-05-30T16:13:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow is Memorial Day and weather permitting we will have Mary Lou Peters out front painting. We also might have an appearance of Bill Murcko, he was working on a sketch today and wants to try to finish it tomorrow.

Pictures of the flowers in the front yard

2010-05-30T16:03:00.001-07:00

We got our flowers in at the gallery and I think they look pretty good. After another few weeks they should look great.

Another Happy Customer

2010-05-30T13:02:00.001-07:00

Thank you to Michael and Catrina from Texas for buying this beautiful Bill Murcko painting of Round Island Lighthouse. I hope you enjoy it for many years to come. Bill was out front today in the beautiful weather sketching Dave the blacksmith.

Bill Murcko wins Gold Medal for "Final Note" which we are selling in the Gallery

2010-05-26T13:29:00.001-07:00

Please click on the image above to read about "Final Note" Bill's gold medal winning painting that is now available for sale at Victorian Summer Gallery.

The New Lilacs and Lace

2010-05-26T09:41:00.000-07:00

2010-05-26T09:18:00.000-07:00

Diane Neyer's "Main Street in Winter"

Bill Murcko's "A Cup of Tea"

Bill Murcko's "School Days at the Fort"

Kathleen Chaney Fritz's "Le Grande Tortue"

Well, the 2010 season is here and the Gallery and Lilacs and Lace are open for business with some great new artwork and some other new items as well. Gail Hayton painted 23 new miniature paintings for us, Bill Murcko has a few new ones for us, Diane Neyer has some new ones for us, and Kathleen Chaney Fritz has a beautiful new oil painting for us. Here are some pictures of a few of the new paintings. Just got our flowers in at the gallery this week, so hopefully our front yard will look as nice as it did last year. We also got new steps and a new front walkway which look great. Lilacs and Lace also moved this year to the store that used to be Mackinac Lapidary. Our new location is awesome for artwork display, it is also just a much larger space so that you don't feel like you might knock things over in there if you step the wrong way. I hope y'all like what we have done.

Bill Murcko's Latest Masterpiece

2009-10-08T15:09:00.000-07:00

Final Note by Bill Murcko

Latest Paintings from Noel Skiba

2009-09-11T11:10:00.000-07:00

Through the Birch trees to Market and Cadotte

Grand Hotel

Latest Painting of Don Andress

2009-09-11T11:07:00.000-07:00

Chippewa Pride

Bill Murcko's Reception Photos and Photos of the Show

2009-09-07T07:07:00.000-07:00

Work in Progress from
Bill's next show

Main Wall in Gallery

Murcko Pieces in Gallery

More of Murcko Show

More of Murcko Portraits

And More Murcko Portraits

Roger Humphrey playing classical guitar

Jeanette Doud with Don Andress

Jack with the Honorable Mayor Margaret Doud

Portraits of Eddie and Dave

Mingling Guests

More mingling guests

More of Bill's Work

Betty Murcko, Don Andress, Karen Mendes, Bill Murcko and some island visitors

Bill chatting with island resident Mary and her family

Betty Murcko talking with Don "Duck" Andress

Steve Rilenge, Anne Spitzer and other island residents

Show and Reception for Bill Murcko Saturday Sept 5 from 4-7:30pm

2009-09-03T13:53:00.000-07:00

Hi there, we will be having a show and reception for Mackinac Island's exceptional portrait artist Bill Murcko on Saturday Sept 5th from 4-7:30pm. Come and meet Bill and have a drink and something to nosh on. We look forward to seeing you. Some of his new work will be displayed, as well as works in progress.

The Duck gets painted

2009-08-25T10:38:00.000-07:00

Don "Duck" Andress in his native attire getting a portrait done by Bill Murcko

Noel and a happy customer with the paintings she bought

Diane Neyer's newest fans, the Boiko family.

Noel and Bill

2009-08-17T09:44:00.001-07:00

Noel and Bill painting

The painting of Don Andress progressing.

Another finished painting of Don Andress, isn't this amazing?

Bill Murcko Paints at the Gallery

2009-08-02T14:52:00.000-07:00

The next masterpiece of Bill's, a portrait of Don "Duck" Andress, the grandson of Chief Mackinac and an island resident.

Closeup of the painting.

Another Murcko Fan

2009-07-26T12:15:00.000-07:00

Thank you to Delia from California for taking home this beautiful Murcko painting. Bill had mentioned that it was one of his favorites and Delia has a wonderful eye to pick this one out from all the great ones in the gallery. I hope you enjoy it for many years to come. Thanks for your business!

Bill Murcko Fans

2009-07-26T09:43:00.000-07:00

The Hansen family with their new Bill Murcko painting. Look how happy they are. This is their first original painting purchase and I think they chose wisely. Thank you so much for trusting us to sell you your first amazing work of art, we appreciate your business.

Hmm, this guy looks familiar. He has also chosen a Bill Murcko painting to make his own. Great choice if I do say so myself.

More Noel Fans

2009-07-25T07:26:00.001-07:00

More proof that art makes you happy. Look how happy they are. Thanks for your business!

Bill Murcko's latest portrait

2009-07-21T11:41:00.000-07:00

Eddie the UPS driver

Noel's biggest (little) fans

2009-07-14T13:32:00.001-07:00

Noel is painting in front of the gallery today and these are two of her biggest fans.

More happy customers

2009-07-14T07:40:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Michael and Nancie from Illinois for purchasing this lovely Betty Bea painting of the Grand Hotel. I hope you enjoy it for many years to come. We appreciate your business!

Thanks to Deanna also from the Chicago area for not only buying this amazing Gail Hayton miniature of the Grand but for helping sell her friends on the Betty Bea Painting. Please come back and visit us soon.

Mary Lou Peters at the Gallery today, Noel Skiba on Monday and Betty Bea Washburn on Thursday

2009-07-11T09:37:00.001-07:00

Mary Lou Peters painting watercolors at the Gallery

Sunsets at Stonecliffe Week 4 Mary Lou Peters and Pato Margetic

2009-07-11T08:54:00.000-07:00

Sun Setting at Stonecliffe

View From Inn at Stonecliffe

View from Inn at Stonecliffe

Patrons having fun

Patrons on the lawn

Patrons eating dinner and enjoying the music

Patrons on the portico eating, drinking and enjoying the art and music

Talking to Mary Lou Peters

Jeff Patton taking orders

Patrons on the lawn

Enjoying the music

Enjoying good conversation

Enjoying the company and the view

Pato Margetic

Mary Lou Peters painting

Paintings by Mary Lou Peters

Mackinac Island Harbor by Mary Lou Peters

Paintings by Mary Lou Peters

Mary Lou Peters' biggest fans

Mary Lou Peters painting

Mary Lou Peters

Enjoying the music on the lawn

Almost done

2009-07-03T15:13:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Dave and Charlotte from Minneapolis for buying 3 of Noel's wonderful paintings. I hope y'all enjoy them as much as you enjoy being on the island. We appreciate your business very much.

2009-07-01T12:41:00.000-07:00

Thank you to Jim, my favorite dentist, and his lovely family for their continued support by taking home a couple of Noel Skiba's acrylics, one just hot off the easel. I hope you enjoy them for many years to come.

2009-06-28T10:53:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Barbara Jo and Michael for being my favorite customers of the season so far. I hope these paintings give you endless days of happiness. Thank you very much for your business and for supporting our local artists.

Noel's Fans

2009-06-28T10:51:00.001-07:00

Future artists and fans of Noel Skiba

Hapyp Customers with Noel's work

2009-06-26T10:52:00.001-07:00

Sunsets at Stonecliffe Week 2 Noel Skiba and Frankie D'Angelo

2009-06-26T10:35:00.001-07:00

View from the portico at Inn at Stonecliffe

Finished painting of view from the portico that Noel painted at the Sunsets at Stonecliffe event on Wednesday Night

Beginning of painting

Patrons enjoying themselves on the portico

Frankie D'Angelo playing a tune

Jeff Patton, GM at Inn at Stonecliffe, wife Regina, Noel Skiba and me

Happy 20th anniversary Kathie and Larry

2009-06-24T11:29:00.000-07:00

Happy 20th anniversary to Kathie and Larry, please enjoy the watercolor of the Grand that you got from us for at least another 20 years, if not longer. We appreciate your business. Also if you want to celebrate your 21st by buying another piece of artwork from us, we are totally ok with that.

Bill Murcko's latest, "Hot Iron"

2009-06-23T10:13:00.000-07:00

Bill Murcko's latest masterpiece titled, "Hot Iron". This is so amazing! Please come in and see it when you get the chance.

Thank you Cramers

2009-06-21T09:10:00.000-07:00

Here is a pic of Gail Hayton's "Pot Garden"

Thank you to the Cramers for taking home one of Gail Hayton's amazing miniature acrylic paintings. Not one of my finer pics to include the painting, I will admit, but it really looks awesome of the pot garden at Margaret's at the Grand Hotel. I hope y'all enjoy it. And in Mr Cramer's words, "Buying original art is so much fun!" I agree.

2009-06-20T13:37:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the Bush family for taking home Noel Skiba's "Mackinac Bridge" and adding to their Mackinac collection. A few years back they bought an amazing painting by John Manikoff called "Red Boat". Please enjoy this one for many years to come too.

2009-06-19T12:09:00.000-07:00

Dave and Karen with two of Noel Skiba's paintings. Thanks so much for your business, I hope these paintings bring you much happiness. It was a pleasure meeting you both. Your paintings have found a very nice home.

2009-06-19T09:26:00.000-07:00

Thank you to the Niekamps for buying this wonderful Diane Neyer painting "Fort Mackinac". I hope they enjoy it for many years to come. We appreciate your business!

Noel Skiba is out painting today with all the lilacs out. Nice piece of the Grand Hotel with lilacs that she is working on. A little breezy on the island today.

Sunsets at Stonecliffe

2009-06-18T11:23:00.000-07:00

John Manikoff chatting with an attendee

Some of John's work

Admiring John's "Round Island Dawn"

Discussing John's work

Outside on the porch listening to Joey Spina

Mingling at the bar at Inn at Stonecliffe

Joey Spina singing

Victorian Summer Gallery is proud to be a part of Sunsets at Stonecliffe this year. They have one artist and one musician at the Inn at Stonecliffe and it is really a wonderful place to hang out, have a few cocktails if you desire, and eat some food. The admission is free and the ambiance is awesome. It is so beautiful up there. This week the featured artist was John Manikoff, who has lived on the island every summer for his whole life, and whose family has had a house on the island for over 100 years. The featured musician was Joey Spina. It was lovely, and I hope if you are on the island on a Wednesday night, you will join us up there. Next week the featured artist is Noel Skiba.

2009-06-13T08:27:00.000-07:00

Bill Murcko works his magic again. Here is a pic of Lily Porter with a portrait that bill did of her knitting at the McGulpin House. Very cool. Not a bad likeness if I say so myself.

Miniature Artist Gail Hayton at the Gallery today

2009-06-13T08:05:00.001-07:00

Gail Hayton is in front of the gallery today, another gorgeous day here which is great for the Lilac Festival. Gail is an amazing miniature painter. You can see her work on our website, it is incredible. How does she get such detail in such a little space? Really hard work and attention to detail, that's how. Thanks for coming today Gail.

Mary Lou Peters AND Noel Skiba Painting today

2009-06-12T12:24:00.000-07:00

Today we had Mary Lou Peters and Noel Skiba out painting. We have been very fortunate the last 3 days with the sunshine and warmer weather. Yay! Also the lilacs are out, not fully, but definitely out, which is a big relief to those of us who like them out during the Lilac Festival. Tomorrow will be Gail Hayton out in front of the gallery. Hope to see you here.

The Nebens with their new painting by Noel Skiba, which was hot off the press. Please enjoy it for many years and hopefully will remind you of the good times you have had on the island. Thanks so much for your business.

Becky from Oakland Township is very excited about her Mary Lou Peters painting! Enjoy Becky. I hope it reminds you of Mackinac and the Lilac Festival when you look at it. Feel free to buy some lilac potpourri online from Lilacs and Lace, our sister store, and then it will smell like lilacs as well!! Thanks Becky, I appreciate your business .

Mackinac Island Lilac Festival Poster Contest Reception

2009-06-07T15:06:00.000-07:00

Roger Humphrey, classical guitarist

Relative of Jenna Hagenloch visiting from Germany

Diane Neyer signing posters for customers

Jenna Hagenloch from Rockford who submitted a pastel painting, speaking with Diane Neyer

Yvonne Della Morta of St. Ignace with her submission

Mary Lou Peters of Mackinaw City with her submission

Betty Bea Washburn of Bellaire, last year's winner, with her submission

Diane Neyer, winner of this year's lilac festival poster contest with her painting, "Mackinac: A Breath of Spring"

From left to right, Yvonne Della Morta, Mary Lou Peters, Diane Neyer and Betty Bea Washburn

Hi y'all,

Today was the Lilac Festival Poster Contest reception at the Gallery. Every year we have a contest with artists who paint paintings based on the theme the Tourism Bureau picks for the paintings. This year's theme was Arch Rock. So here are some pictures of the artists and guests who were at the Gallery. Thank you to Mary at the Tourism Bureau, Douds, and to Roger Humphrey, an amazing classical guitarist who played during the reception. If anyone needs a guitarist on the island please email me and I will put you in touch with him. Also thank you to Mary Lou Peters for doing a demo today in place of John Manikoff who unfortunately couldn't make it. I hope you feel better John.

Mary Lou Peters painting at the gallery today

2009-06-06T08:55:00.000-07:00

Beautiful day on Mackinac Island today, although a wee bit chilly. Mary Lou Peters is painting with watercolors outside. Lilac Festival is under way, we had a foot race this morning. I hope y'all go to Lilacs and Lace for all of your lilac product needs, as well as great artwork. Mary Lou lives in Mackinaw City, and is not only an artist, but a published author. She has a lovely book that we sell here which features many of her Mackinac Island paintings.

Noel Skiba painting today

2009-06-04T11:39:00.000-07:00

Hi,

Lovely day on Mackinac today. Noel Skiba who grew up in Alpena and has been coming to Mackinac all her life is painting outside the gallery today. Thank you to the McKees from Iowa who picked up a Betty Bea Washburn and a Karen Ciske painting today. I hope they enjoy them for many years to come. Haven't seen any lilacs yet and the festival begins on Friday, but I heard there were some out at the Grand. Here is hoping they come soon and the weather stays warm.

Virtual Tour of Victorian Summer Gallery

2009-06-01T12:26:00.000-07:00

Acrylic Gallery, paintings by Noel Skiba

Hand Blown Glass Aurora sculpture by Elodie Holmes
Winter scene of Fort Mackinac by Island artist Diane Neyer

Left side, collages by Amanda Wyse

Acrylic paintings by Noel Skiba

Watercolor Gallery

On the right wall watercolors by Betty Bea Washburn

Beaded purses by Islander Kelly Dorman

Autumn Grand View by Islander John Manikoff

Above the doorway, photographs on canvas by Andrejka Hirschegger

On the left Rob Harrell, on the right, a new artist for the Gallery, Bridget Jennings

The Gallery is in a Sears Catalog Home. Lovely original woodwork.

Portraits by Bill Murcko

Landscapes by Island artist John Manikoff

Miniature Acrylic Paintings by Gail Hayton

Obama Portrait by Bill Murcko

Kid's projects area

Acrylics by Noel Skiba

Just a Beautiful View from the West Bluff by Noel Skiba

Sorry the pics came first and the explanation is last. Here is a virtual tour of the Gallery, this way y'all can get an idea of what the place looks like and what kind of artwork we have. Hope you like it.

2009-05-31T13:30:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we had T.H. Widener in front of the gallery painting. He is one of my new artists for the year. Please visit the website, www.victoriansummer.com and check out the pieces we currently have of his. His work is truly beautiful.

2009-05-31T13:09:00.000-07:00

Thanks for your business Mary Jo. I hope you enjoy Betty Bea's "Grand Garden Walk". I think it is awesome when an artist buys another artist's work. Betty Bea will be very pleased. Nothing makes me happier than when someone falls in love with a painting at the gallery and is able to take it home with them.

2009-05-31T12:08:00.000-07:00

Thanks Karen, alumna from Mackinac College, for letting me take this photo of you next to your new Betty Bea Washburn painting. I hope it brings back many happy memories of the island and your time here for a lot of years to come. I appreciate your business!

2009-05-31T09:52:00.000-07:00

Another happy customer who got one of Helen Sullivan's paintings. Her father not only built the house that the gallery is in, but he built the Little Stone Church and the Round Island Lighthouse. Thanks for your buiness!

2009-05-28T07:38:00.000-07:00

Hello to my loyal customers. Here is a little update of which artists are scheduled to paint in front of the gallery for the Lilac Festival. More will be coming but this is what I have so far.

June 6th Mary Lou Peters, Watercolor artist who lives in Mackinaw City
June 7th John Manikoff, Oil painter who has a family history on Mackinac going back over 100 years.
June 8-11 Noel Skiba, Oil, watercolor and acrylic artist from Alpena who spends a lot of time on Mackinac in the summer months.
June 12th Mary Lou Peters
June 13th and maybe 14th Gail Hayton, Miniature Acrylic artist from Highland who does incredible work on a small scale.
June 16th Betty Bea Washburn, Watercolor Artist from Bellaire who was last year's Lilac Festival Poster contest winner.

I hope y'all can come to the gallery and check them out while they paint. It is really interesting to see a masterpiece being created.

Jack

2009-05-23T14:37:00.000-07:00

Hi there, Spring is supposed to be here but it is cold today. Started out gorgeous, and Noel Skiba has been painting outside, even though her hands are cold. We are doing a new addition to the blog this year. If my clients are ok with it, we are taking a picture of them with the artwork they buy and posting it to show how happy art can make someone. So today we have Jessica and Joshua with a couple of pieces by Noel Skiba. Thanks for your business!

2008-09-25T07:30:00.000-07:00

Hi,

Yesterday we had Betty Bea Washburn painting watercolors in front of the gallery, and today we will have Noel Skiba, who paints in oils, watercolors and acrylics. The weather is awesome today, so I hope you will join us.

2008-09-22T09:17:00.000-07:00

Hi there,

This is my first post. I have put this blog in so that people will know about resident artists painting in front of the gallery, and to tell of any interesting things that might be going on that my customers may have an interest in. If you have any questions about either my art gallery or Lilacs and Lace, e-mail me at jack@lilacsandlace.com . Also visit our website www.victoriansummer.com .