A “Naturel Treasure” Goes Up for Auction

Photo by Len Villano.

When it came time to decide what she wanted to paint for the cover of Door County Living’s fifth annual Philanthropy Issue, artist Karen Cook fell back on a scene that was both familiar and inspiring to her:  the lakeside view from her home at Marshall’s Point in Sister Bay.

“When we first moved here I would take a cup of coffee and I would look east and this is what I would see. I just love when the light in the sky hits the treetops and the tops of the rocks and the water,” said Cook of her painting, entitled “Naturel Treasure” (oil on linen, framed 30” by 26”). “This, to me, is what Door County’s all about. I could paint it every day.”

“Naturel Treasure” by Karen Cook.

A Door County resident for 15 years now, Cook knows that while the county’s natural treasures may bring visitors here initially, it’s the spirit of its people that keeps them coming back. That’s why she jumped at the chance to create and donate this year’s cover painting, which Door County Living will auction via mail bid to raise money for a lucky local charity (or charities) of the winner’s choice.

“I’ve been so fortunate to be able to move up here and live here, and I feel a really strong commitment to giving back to the community,” said Cook. “It’s a privilege to be able to give back in the only way I really know how.”

The minimum bid for “Naturel Treasure” is $1475 and the winner will be notified by telephone and announced in local publications. Those who wish to view the painting in person can visit Edgewood Orchard Galleries in Fish Creek, open daily May through October. More of Cook’s work can be viewed online at www.edgewoodorchard.com.

For more information, call (920) 868-3579.

Local Artists Support Local Charities

Door County Living has successfully partnered with four local artists in the past four years to create paintings for charity. The philanthropic-themed paintings graced the covers of our Philanthropy Issues and were subsequently auctioned off to raise funds for the Door County charity of the winning bidders’ choice.

We are proud to announce that the 2012 cover, donated and painted by Gretchen Klug, entitled “Bay to Bay,” raised $3,850 and the funds were divided between the Door County Maritime Museum, Unity Hospice, Peninsula School of Art, and Door County Habitat for Humanity.

Over the last four years the cover of Door County Living’s Philanthropy Issues have raised $12,550 for Door County charities. In addition to last year’s four beneficiaries, the Door County Community Foundation, Door County Silent Sports Alliance, Door County Land Trust, and the Door Community Auditorium have also received funds.