Leelanau Coloring book in Library of Congress
From staff reports
While out on a hike on the Old Indian Trail in the Sleeping Bear National Lake¬shore, Charlotte Davis had the inspiration to produce a coloring book. The drawings began in February, while she kept close to the wood stove to stay warm and hunkered down to bring her dream to fruition. Fast forward to the present. Her Leelanau Love — Color on Art Book, published by Dancing Frog Press, now sits on the shelves of the Library of Congress. The non-traditional coloring book features more than 30 drawings, depicting iconic scenes from around Leelanau County, as well as close-up images of nature.
Davis’ journey to authorship began 16 months ago when she was suddenly laid off from her office job. “I took the opportunity to embrace a lifestyle of more freedom, yet work harder than I ever did at a traditional day job by pursuing an entrepreneurial dream,” said Davis. “Just one month prior to getting laid off I wrote this goal and put it on the board above my desk: ‘move toward a sustainable life of creativity and freedom’.” Davis started a business selling artistic notepads, greeting cards and other original art items. She used her own photography to draw from, and produce, the drawings for her book.
Leelanau Love is available at the following stores in Glen Arbor: the Cottage Book Shop, Cherry Republic, Lake Affect and Northwoods Hardware, as well as North Shore Outfitters in Northport. The book can also be found at the Glen Arbor Farmers Market on Tuesdays, the Northport Farmers Market on Fridays and the Suttons Bay Farmers Market on Saturdays, or directly from Davis by contacting her at DancingFrogPress.com.
Davis calls herself a child at heart, artist, photographer, publisher, mother, grandmother, avid hiker and faith-filled minimalist. “I have embraced artistic projects since child¬hood. My goal is always to connect with the recipient of each creative endeavor.”
She also credits her daughter Raquel Jackson, who works for the Glen Lake Chamber of Commerce, who she says was instrumental in helping her produce the book.
Look for Charlotte Davis and her book, Leelanau Love, on August 12 at the Cottage Book Shop.
