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“In Praise of Shadow” is an essay on Japanese aesthetics by the Japanese author and novelist Junichiro Tanizaki. The essay is a comparison of light with darkness, and it is used to contrast Western and Asian cultures. The West, in its striving for progress, is presented as continuously searching for the light and clarity, while the subtle and subdued forms of oriental art and literature are seen by Tanizaki to represent an appreciation of shadow and subtlety, closely relating to the traditional Japanese concept of “sabi”.

“Tsrezurequsa / Essay in Idleness” is an essay by 13th-century monk Kenko about his daily observations of nature, surroundings, and his state of mind reflected by the environment.

During my stay, I made many Haiku/Tanka and was able to visualize them as my individual art practice. Thank you for the great hospitality, and community members to support my work!! I will miss being here.

Fly debris
Dusk and Iron
Baby Bump
Hungry raccoon
Prowl about for birdseeds

On ceiling
Hung over
Swinging stains

Mami Takahashi – June 2018

Duties of the Artist

• Put fresh water in the dog bowl
• Work

No thirsty dogs here, so it’s been complete absorption in the studio interspersed with a beautiful Northern Michigan spring, birds, birds, birds, delicious food, clouds of midges (who knew midges could be so inspiring?), and a bicycle ride around Mackinac Island (highly recommended)….

Susan Moss – May 2018

Good Hart is a beautiful place and the space the residency is creating for artists is remarkable. In anticipating the residency, I hoped to make lots of painting and have time to read and research. I absolutely had time to do that here but what I didn’t expect was the extreme hospitality, warmth, and creativity of every aspect of life in Good Hart… from the care put into the garden, the preparation of meals, the conversations about creativity and the significance of art, to the beautiful night sky (a Perseid meteor shower!), and the lakeshore with its rocky gems.

I have been able to enjoy the rare and rich gift of time to be, to rest, to take long walks, to make and to learn. This residency allows for much more than just space to work, it allows an opportunity to be slow, to look closely, enjoy the beautiful natural world, and return to the dailiness of life with a new energy and perspective

Amanda Hamilton – August 2017

In my other life – as a father, teacher, husband, house owner, and artist. I sometimes think: “If I only had a block of time in solitude: in the woods with amazing people – then I could accomplish some things.” That thought came true, and my four weeks have been truly special to me. If you are here as an artist, you will discover the rewards of being here: The peaceful nature of this place, the access to water and woods, and the opportunity to create unabated.

Bill Hosterman – May 2017

Wow, What an incredibly productive two weeks amidst glorious sunny weather, brilliant scenery, and excellent company.

This was probably the most optimal transition form my graduate program – the ability to hunker down and explore new ideas without the looming deadline of a critique or installation.

I appreciate the gift of time, not just the solo work hours in the studio, but the time you all spent with me on hikes, mushroom hunting excursions, and trips to other sites around here.

I can honestly say I learned quite a bit about plant life, seasons, various animals, and the moon – which has really galvanized the content and production of my work.

Joanna Hoge – May 2016

What a wonderful two weeks I have experienced here in Good Hart. Lots of time for quiet thinking, contemplation, and studio work. The studio was perfect for experimenting with some new materials and focused work with the familiar ones. Met so many enthusiastic and interesting people from the area during the workshop and open house. It’s really invigorating to meet people that respond to what you are doing in a positive way.

Kirsten Furlong – October 2015

It’s hard to believe that two weeks have already flown by! This place and you opening your home up is such a special gift to other artists. I’m leaving here with fresh ideas, lots of momentum and rejuvenated. It’s an experience I won’t forget – it’s not often I have two weeks uninterrupted to make artwork and watch spring unfold. I arrived and there were no leaves, ice still on the lake and Trulium in the woods. What an incredible thing in two weeks to see leaves and flowers just explode across the landscape.

Good Hart and Emmet County have been such an immersive look into a place – from the seemingly countless preserves to Wilderness State Park; sunsets over the lake and shooting stars over the milky way; the resident indigo bunting and rose-breasted grosbeak. And of course the countless times I strapped my waders on to walk into Lake Michigan’s endless flats or turquoise water (and the one time I could have used those waders while landing a 25 pound carp on a fly after a meeting at Crooked Tree in Petoskey!) All of those qualities in a place get me so excited and inspired to make more work, to see things in new ways.

Mike Marks – May 2015

I loved waking up every day in what feels like a treehouse – green leaves and trunks framing the windows. I loved walking through the small town of Good Hart and picking up a crepe or an ice coffee. Anyone who is lucky enough to stay here will have a hard time leaving. Good Hart is an enchanting place.

Lindsey Dunnagan – August 2014

Trillium, Hepatica, Yellow Trout Lily,

Dutchman’s Breeches, Bloodroot,

Twinflower, Milkweed, Bogbean…

oh , and Morel mushrooms.

These are the words – names I have learned during my stay in Good Hart. The names are tied to the images, and bring to mind all the hiking, walking and biking I have done while in the Residency Program.

I have collected them, the bright images of natural beauty, like I have collected the rocks from nearby beaches, the Petoskey stone, and the white birch bark in the shape of a crown.

I will treasure my collection and the memory of this unique place.

… All of that, of course, has been reflected in my art.

Thank you for this time and the precious names – images of nature that I am so lucky to take back with me.

Kalina Winska – May 2014