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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

Final Note by Bill Murcko

Latest Paintings from Noel Skiba

Through the Birch trees to Market and Cadotte

Grand Hotel

Latest Painting of Don Andress

Chippewa Pride

Bill Murcko's Reception Photos and Photos of the Show

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

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

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

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

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.