artists & makers BEACH BLISS

Northern Michigan artist Katherine Corden captures the loungy, lovely grace of an afternoon on the water.

By ELIZABETH EDWARDS

A MAN PULLING ON A T-SHIRT,

a woman twisting her hair into a ponytail, friends stretched out in beach chairs, chatting amiably. Traverse City–based artist Katherine Corden weaves the sublime sacredness of a beach day out of small, perfectly executed moments. “I love drawing and painting the human figure, and people relaxed at the beach are my favorite poses to capture,” she says. While Corden’s deft figures are the bones of her work (a skill she attributes to a doctorate in physical therapy), her energetic palette breathes life into the flotsam and jetsam of the day: “The unexpected colors of a beach towel or someone’s bathing suit; the shadows cast from people moving on the beach and setting up for the day; flip flops or sandals discarded in a pail … all provide inspiration,” she says.

Coming this summer: a series of 18"-x-24" paintings Corden calls “beach portraits.” In Northern Michigan, find Corden’s work at Farm Club, or purchase prints at katherinecorden.com.

Clockwise: Girls Weekend; A Summer Perspective; Keeping Cool; Together. Print sizes start at 16"-x-20" for $60.