Artist-in-Residence

Program Offers Artists a Retreat in the Porcupine Mountains

BY CORA FOLEY

The annual Artist-in-Residence Program’s mission is “To offer residencies to new and established artists of recognized excellence from around the world to pursue their creative process in a wilderness environment.” The program, sponsored by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, is open to artists to pursue their creative process while living amid the natural beauty of the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in Michigan’s rugged Upper Peninsula.

Only five artists of recognized excellence are selected annually to participate in the program. Selection is based on artistic integrity and the artist’s ability to reside in a wilderness environment, relate to and interpret the park through their medium, and a willingness to donate an original, finished piece of art inspired by their stay in the Porkies. Artists are also asked to give a demonstration or discussion with the public during their residencies.

Selected artists stay two-three weeks in “Dan’s Cabin,” built as a tribute to Dan Urbanski, the founding president of the Friends of the Porkies and an awardwinning photographer. The rustic cabin includes an icebox, woodstove and gas stove. There is no electricity

LEFT: “Coneflower Delight” limited edition print by Nancy Byrum from private collection of Cora Foley.

Photography by Cora Foley

BELOW: Artist Nancy Byrum at work on a paint-pour/hand-detailed piece while visiting in Canadian Lakes.

Photography by Cora Foley

“Over the Rainbow” Trout original by Nancy Byrum from private collection

of Cora Foley. Photography by Cora Foley

Finished “Raspberry Lemonade” original acrylic 2022 painting by Nancy Byrum.

Photography by Nancy Byrum

or running water and all supplies needed for the two-three week stay must be carried in over a rustic trail.

One of the five artists chosen for this year’s residency program is Nancy Byrum of Wyandotte, Michigan, whose wildlife paintings are so realistic, they are often mistaken for photographs. Byrum is the recipient of numerous juried art show awards and has received People’s Choice and Best Booth honors many times in her over twenty-five years as an artist.

Byrum has never had any formal art training. Her style is entirely self-taught through careful observation of nature, research, and simply experimenting. Her technique has evolved significantly since her first gallery show in 2000 and the single most impressive feature of her paintings is the photo-realism she achieves when featuring nature’s living elements in life-like detail. She describes her process like this: “I kind of work it like a puzzle. I will work from many photos to come up with one painting. I airbrush my background first, and then freehand paint the image over the top. It gives it a more photographic feel.”

While much of her work captures nature’s beauty in stunning photo-realism, she also creates beautiful impressionistic works that feature colorful acrylicpour backgrounds brought to life with the natural beauty of birds, animals, butterflies, and sea life as the focal point. The results are at times ethereal, but always vibrant and simultaneously realistic in her color renditions.

When she isn’t painting, this selftaught naturalist is out observing and photographing nature, taking delight in finding wildlife and beautiful scenery. Byrum will be experiencing her first Artist-in-Residence stay in the Porkies this July. “I do art so that people can look at something and enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making it. That is exactly why I paint.”

To view Ms. Byrum’s portfolio and schedule of events visit www.ByrumNatureArt.com