About the artists at the Pier Gallery Ludington

“I paint because I must! It is my first language, my passion, my purpose. I believe in creating and expressing through art as my soul’s reason for existence. It is my voice. An I am an observer. I have lived and visited a variety of environments, from the sparse and arid desert in Arizona to the rugged coast of California. I have lived many years on a lush, color saturated, subtropical island. Most recently, I am living in the Midwest, where I have experienced the drama of the four seasons with it’s wide range of colors, from the muted tints and tones of winter, to the vivid explosion of various color palettes in the spring and fall, to the many shades and hues of green in summer. These gifts have offered rich opportunities for exploration through color mixing, texture, shapes, and various applications of paint and medium. My goal in my work is to create moods that can capture the viewer as it has me. I strive to generate curiosity as one observes the vistas, with the intention of drawing one into the depths of the images which I find so very intriguing. I welcome you into my world!”

  Mike Bissell is an accomplished astrophotography artist, capturing the beauty of the cosmos through his lens. With a passion for both astronomy and photography, his stunning images transport viewers to distant galaxies and celestial wonders. Through meticulous planning and patience, Mike merges science and art to unveil the awe-inspiring mysteries of the Universe. Mike was born and raised in Ludington..

  Mike and Vickie Page are West Michigan landscape and wildlife photographers whose work spans from mostly from Pentwater to Traverse City. The capture local lighthouses, vibrant birds and other wildlife, and ships of the Great Lakes as they pass by. Whether it is a shimmering lake, bald eagle in flight, or a Lake Michigan sunset, Mike and Vickie’s photography captures a glimpse of the West Michigan gold coast.

  "I am a self-taught artist who enjoys painting, mainly with acrylics on canvas, exploring color blending and working with textures, creating images that reflect my love of nature.  My grandfather was a landscape oil painter, and as a child I was surrounded by art and enjoyed drawing.  I didn't start painting until I was in my mid thirties, after my four children had reached an age where that was possible!  It then became my go to for relaxing.  I have continued by exploration of painting over the years and enjoy trying new techniques and mediums, finding inspiration in the colors that surround us.  I love working in the abstract, as it frees you from the confines of realism and there are endless possibilities of expression.