MARSHA LaTULIP - POTTER

Garden Peninsula Artist Marsha LaTulip has been working with clay for over 20 years.  She is inspired by the nauture that surrounds her.  Marsha incorporates native foliage that is pressed into each item and carefully hand painted to enhance that impression.  Finally the piece is kiln fired to 2165 degrees fahrenheit.  Leaving the artwork both decorative and functional. 

TANA LECKSON - PEN AND INK ARTIST 

Artist Tana Leckson was born of Native American Chippewa Indian decent, and raised a fisherman's daughter in the town of Fairport, Michigan.  At an early age she fell in love with a kaleidoscope of arts ranging from drawing and wood crafting, to playing guitar.  After leaving the Upper Peninsula to finish high school, she returned to her roots in the picturesque town of Garden.  Leckson hopes her artwork will encourage people to pay attention to how many special things there are in the real world.  She regards her greatest artistic achievement as the moment a person conveys that something she has drawn inspired them to create a masterpiece of their own; or, that her artwork has helped them through a difficult time, and perhaps prompted them to help others.  You may view some of her work online at: www.exploringthenorth.com/tana/art.html  to order online http://www.anatproduction.com

 LAEL  THELANDER -MIXED MEDIA

My Name is Lael (Rasmussen) Thelander.   I grew up in Garden where I attended grade school, graduated from Big Bay de Noc High School and from Suomi College.  A year after my husband, Charlie, and I were married we moved to Indiana because of his work for Enbridge Pipeline.  Six moves within four states and 33 years later Charlie retired in 2006 and we are now back "home".  We have two children: Heather (Rudy) have three sons and Chad (Jenn) have one son.  Working with fabrics has always been a part of my life from the day my Mother taught me to sew and my Grandmother taught me to knit and crochet.  I was a 4-H member through school and a leader when my kids were members.  I have taught ceramics, basket weaving, wheat weaving, done alterations, custom sewing, quilting, and freelance sewing for American Girl as well as knitting and crocheting items to donate to organizations. In 1980 a friend asked me to take a stained glass class and the rest is history.  In many way the two mediums are a lot alike..........cutting and putting back together.

I have been a consignor with the Garden Gallery since they opened their doors.  Now that Charlie and I  are back on the Garden Peninsula, I have been able to become more involved with all those who work so hard behind the scenes to make the Village Artisans and Garden Gallery such an important part of the community.

JANET GOULET WILSON - AUTHOR 

Janet Goulet Wilson is a retired educator,  writer and workshop leader.  She lives on Washington Island, WI, with her husband Jim.

Janet began writing and self publishing in 1978 while working at UW-Eau Claire as the American Indian Program Coordinator.  Since then she has written short stories, family stories and four novels.  Her current novel, It's Not Too Late, is available at the Gallery.

Janet receives many compliments from readers: "I sat down and read it until I finished.", "I couldn't put it down.", "I loved it.", and "You touch people's hearts." 

SANDY WILSON - SW CREATIONS 

Sandy has been making beaded jewelry for seven years.  She started out by taking beading classes at the William Bonifas Art Center in Escanaba, Michigan.  After that class she got the "bead bug".  She takes classes when she travels to bigger cities.  Her favorite class was in Cave Creek, Arizona.  She learned how to make glass lampwork beads.

Sandy uses Swarovski crystals, gemstone beads and sterling silver when making her pieces.  Wire wrapping beach glass and rocks from Lake Michigan and Lake Superior is her new favorite technique.  All of her pendants are one of a kind.

Sandy takes special orders, wedding parties, awareness jewelry, and she fixes broken jewelry.  She will work with you to make sure you are 100% satisfied.

Sandy resides in Gladstone, Michigan with her husband, Jim, and two children, Tom and Audrey.  She teaches classes and is currently on the board of the William Bonifas Art Center in Escanaba.  You can also see her work at the East Ludington Gallery in Escanaba, Michigan. 

Daryl Thurston:  Hunters Brook Knifeworks, Carvings and Turnings

Daryl has always lived in or near woods, water and wild areas and understands how to make the best use of what those areas provide.  He has a intuitive nature and is able to bring out the feel of the wild and the natural in his work.  As a young boy, living in rural lower Michigan, he began "whittling"and using any jackknife that was available.  In the early 80's he moved to Cornell, near Escanaba, and felt that he had "come home".  Shortly after that move, while at Marquette's traditional arts Music Fesival "Hiawatha", he watched a humming bird being carved and began to take a more serious approach to his art.  He hasn't stopped trying different forms since that exposure.  Today he continues to carve, make knives and turn.  His knife making, a direct result of his inability to find the "perfect" knife for his carving needs, continues to take up the most shop space, though the wood burls, most of which have been generously provided by friends and acquaintances, are pushing to be in first place.  Daryl and his wife Donna found the perfect woods setting and along with Donna's mother are there to stay.  They have two grown children and 3 grandchildren, all who spend time in the shop working with wood, paint, leather and whatever else might be of interest to them.  It is a busy shop summer and winter.  Daryl continues to grow in his craft, working with various artists, attending seminars, and for several days during the summer he sets up shop in the UP Steam and Gas Village at the State Fair Grounds in Escanaba.