"My experience as an Artist-in-Residence at Isle Royale took place more than 20 years ago, but despite many residencies since, it continues to stand out as one of the most rewarding of my art career. I was in transition then: turning 50, ending a marriage, starting a new relationship, considering new directions for my life. I kept a journal while I was on the island, and my writing reflects the joy I experienced exploring Scoville Point and environs. Here are some excerpts:
“I love the way the morning sun streams into the cabin. With the sound of water gently lapping the shore, the intermittent calls of seabirds and the sight of big pines everywhere I look, it’s mighty fine.”
“Last night the wind fell away and the only sound was the gentle wash of the lake against the beach. I don’t know that I’ve ever experienced such quiet before.”
“I’m watching a curious sunset phenomenon: The sun is to my back, already sunk behind trees. In front of me the sky is a rainbow layer cake. Blue- and pinkish-gray frosting overlies pink cake and a surprise filling of intensely light blue, all of which sits on a luminescent plate of still, dark, blue-gray water. The thing is, when I first noticed this minutes ago, the pink sat on the water and the water was pale blue. Now, as the light fades, the pink rises to the top of the rainbow stack like cream.”
“The wind! It is wild on the Point tonight, bringing such a chill into the cabin that I lit a fire, and a great good roaring fire it is. It really adds a comforting glow to this little home away from home.”
“Hiking between Stoll and Rock Harbor trails I stopped to observe a pair of butterflies when I heard the unmistakable clomp-clomp of a moose. Suddenly the big head, crowned by a huge rack of antlers, poked through the trees just 50 feet away. With a racing heart, I recalled instructions from our orientation on the Ranger: If a moose lowers his head and stares, you are too close. This moose’s head was definitely lowered and his left eye was skewering me. Slowly, slowly, I tip-toed as calmly and determinedly as I could down the trail, vastly relieved as the winner of the stare-down went back to his grazing.”
“With the wind and water so calm today, I finally braved the canoe. I first took it out just along the shore toward Rock Harbor. With each moment my confidence grew. I could paddle, I could make the canoe go where I wanted. Soon I spotted what I took to be the dock for Lookout Louise and decided I must go there. Setting off across the harbor’s open water I paddled smoothly across and was soon at the lookout gazing at the high hills of Ontario. Making the crossing back across the harbor, however, was an entirely different matter. I was halfway across when the Ranger III hove into view. It was all I could do not to panic, fearing the ship would not see me. But as it slowed I realized my little craft and I had been recognized and I paddled safely home none the worse for wear.”
-Marilynn Brandenburger (1997 Artist-in-Residence), January 2019
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