This is a little surprise for you, and a little mystery, and a little game, all rolled into one. A Michigan muralist whose work has appeared in national publications is at work in Torch Lake Township. The new work is just beginning to emerge. Here are some glimpses of the early stages of the process.
There is a contest.
- Where do you suppose the mural is going up?
- Who might the muralist be? (You might have to do some research.)
- What is his connection to Torch Lake Township? (This is hard, so I’ll give extra points for creative guesses, even if they’re wrong.)
An excellent treat goes to the first person who can guess, or to the person who comes up with the most interesting wrong answers, or both. And no, the people I talked to about it today while taking these photos are not eligible. Nor are their family members. And just for good measure, Babs isn’t eligible either.
Answers on Thursday, though not necessarily here. Have fun!
Posted in: Artists of Antrim
Torch Lake Views 
Babs Young
March 23, 2010
Oh darn, I know the answers to all the questions. I have pics too. So I’ll keep quiet.
Gerry
March 25, 2010
OK, now you can make all the noise you want!
Carsten
March 24, 2010
Near the water is a small house where the fishing men gather and brag about their large catches.
This man is annoyed because he often get a seat where he can’t see the lake. Instead he decided painting his own view on the wall in this little house.
He has done a good job beforehand and puzzled all his ideas together.
I’m looking forward to seeing the result.
I like your small stories about your local community Gerry.
Gerry
March 25, 2010
This is a wonderfully creative response, Carsten. And you picked up on a lot of things about Torch Lake that might have been true.
Carsten
March 25, 2010
🙂
I’m probably not the only curious visitor who would like to see the progress of the mural over time….
isathreadsoflife
March 24, 2010
Gerry, you really have me puzzled and curious… I have definitely done some research 😉 this is fun and you may smile but I will try with some answers, OK?
So, how about Terry L Dickinson? Maybe the mural will be seen in the County Heritage Museum? as for the artist’s connection to Torch Lake Township ? “that is the question”, as someone famous would have said … I suggest a love story with a lovely lady in Torch Lake Township 🙂
Thanks for giving a whole new direction to my day packed with so many other things to do 😉 I enjoyed it.
Gerry
March 25, 2010
Isa, bravo on the research. It might have been Terry L. Dickinson, and I recommend that people go look at examples of his work on the link.
flandrumhill
March 24, 2010
I love mysteries and puzzles and can’t resist playing along. But please exclude me from the contest, as I have already won a fabulous, scrumptious prize this past year on your site and would like to give others a chance.
I’ll take a wild guess that the mural is being painted at the Torch Lake Market cafe by Art Petoskey who is ‘lured’ (or should I say ‘drawn’) to your neck of the woods every summer for leisurely fishing purposes.
Gerry
March 25, 2010
Amy Lynn I think I might have to send you another prize just for making me laugh with your puns. Besides, you have one correct answer. The mural is being painted at Sonny’s Torch Lake Market. I love “Art Petoskey” and may have to use him as a character. Lured. Drawn. Rascal.
flandrumhill
March 25, 2010
Gerry, as you may already know… a good pun is its own reword 🙂
Cindy Lou
March 24, 2010
No idea….but I can’t wait to see the finished mural! From the sketches, it looks like it will be quite fabulous!
Gerry
March 25, 2010
I think it will be very nice to look at while I am scarfing cinnamon rolls at Sonny’s.
Gerry
March 24, 2010
This is working out very well. I thought about holding all the comments until Thursday, but it’s more fun to let you all see what creative people can come up with on a March day! Keep the guesses coming. (On Thursday I’ll post the comments from People Ineligible for the Contest who also have things to add.)
Fee
March 24, 2010
Okay, since I haven’t a snowball-in-a-hot-place’s chance of getting the answers right, I’ll go for a wild guess, instead…
The mural is going up on an unused bill-board right outside the mayor’s office (assuming you have a mayor!), it’s being painted by the great-umpty grandson of Thomas Gainsborough, who’s forefather was transported to the Colonies for painting a mural on the home of the Lord Mayor of London in 17-oatcake.
Thus proving I know as much about art as I do about history …
Gerry
March 25, 2010
Fee, you must surely have a prize for making me laugh, too. Your guesses are wonderfully wild, and have certain eerie possibilities.
Bill Landsberg
March 24, 2010
Wherever he is working is a sunny location based on the lighting I see by the reel.
Gerry
March 25, 2010
It is indeed a “Sonny” location. And sometimes sunny, too, especially when I am trying to take pictures.
p.j. grath
March 24, 2010
I wanted to guess Glenn Wolff right away, but that doesn’t look like him.
Gerry
March 25, 2010
A good guess, though. And I like Glenn Wolff’s work, so I’m putting a link to his site in here too!
giiid
March 24, 2010
I think this is made for the Annual Lakes of the North Fly-In/Car and Truck Show…or maybe for the Rubber Ducky Festival….it has something to do with fishing….oh, well, I give up! You are very good at hiding all traces, – and now it is thursday here!
Gerry
March 25, 2010
And now it is Thursday here! And as usual you have delighted me with your suggestions. (I must tell you that Lakes of the North and the Rubber Ducky Festival are over on the other side of the county in Bellaire, but as you have found them, I might have to make a little daytrip over there to make some posts.)
lee Williams
March 24, 2010
Well, I happen to know he is blood related ….. his name is Dennis O.; he is painting at “Sunny’s”, an eatery. His sister, Donna, whom he and his brothers picked on relentlessly (bad boys) lives off Lake Michigan. So, there ya go …..!!!!
Gerry
March 25, 2010
Well. You are right, of course, up to a point–but as you have an unfair advantage by means of the relationship, no prize. The muralist is Dennis Orlowski. He is at work at Sonny’s Torch Lake Market. His special connection to Torch Lake Township is his sister Donna Lane, who has contributed photos of vintage cars and airplanes and the ribbon-cutting at the Community Services Building to Torch Lake Views. I will have to ask her about the relentless brothers! 🙂
Gerry
March 25, 2010
While Sonny is holding down the fort, Chris Szejbach is toasting in Florida. She keeps up, though, and sent this note:
I’m so excited to see what is going on at the store while I’m away. You are allowing me to peek and watch the progress. It looks great! I’m so pleased it is coming along and you have made a sort of game of it. This way many of the “snow-birds” can preview the new look. I would have chosen to be there while this goes on, but this is the next best thing.
Gerry
March 25, 2010
I’m going to trot over to Sonny’s and inspect the progress. Back later with today’s post.