Each month, Michigan By The Bottle Tasting Room in Shelby Township — which has a long-term exhibit of my work in its main space — focuses on a different painting, giving guests the story behind it. The latest one is “The Road to Paradise.”

The story: 

“It is better to travel well than to arrive.” — Buddha 

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by/And that has made all the difference.” — Robert Frost 

“The everyday kindness of the back roads more than makes up for the acts of greed in the headlines.” — Charles Kuralt

“Curiosity did not kill the cat: In my humblest of opinions, only a lack of curiosity could do that. Curiosity is a lifeline for me, and has consumed me from a young age. Roads and pathways are the pinnacle of curiosity visually. Where does it lead? What is around the bend? Where will it take me? The open road represents adventure, new horizons, visual stimulation and, above all, travel.” 

St. Augustine said, ‘The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.’ I want to read the book. 

“This piece is part of a series I have done representing the roads I want to travel and memories of my favorite places, combined with my insatiable curiosity. In my beloved home state of Michigan, you will find several roads like this that twist and turn through the wine country. They are magical places, places that have come to mean a great deal to me. From the people who farm the land to the wine makers and the wine drinkers you will find ‘On the Michigan Wine Trail,’ this painting is dedicated to you: the ones who live and love this land, who hold it dear to their hearts, and sip in its beauty. Cheers to you!”

Size: 24″ x 30″
Medium: Mixed Media
Price: $550

To purchase this painting, visit the Michigan By The Bottle Tasting Room. To purchase other paintings, click here.