Reflections Magazine Issue #87 - Fall 2018 | Page 18

Alumni Feature
One on One With . . .
Todd Marsee
Editor’s Note: This is an occasional Reflections
series, and this issue features Siena Heights
graduate Todd Marsee ’94, who was selected
as the Artist in Residence by Pictured Rocks
National Lakeshore. In fall 2017, Marsee spent
three weeks in the Upper Peninsula park cap-
turing the beauty of the picturesque rock for-
mations in watercolor paintings. Reflections
recently sat down with Todd to reflect on his
experience and career.
Explain the process of applying for this
opportunity and how it came about.
“My coworker sent me an email she
received from the DNR looking for applicants
to the Porcupine Mountain State Park Artist in
Residence (AIR). I looked into it but it was too
rustic for me, as the cabin they offered artists
had no running water or electricity. My process
involves a fair amount of water, so I thought I’d
look into other Michigan AIR programs. I was
in luck, both Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
had programs. However, since the source of my
inspiration is from Pictured Rocks, I applied to
this program. They offered more flexibility in
lodging options which appealed to me. Applica-
tions are due end of the year and notifications
are sent out in April. Applications consist of
digital samples of your body of work, a CV and
a letter of purpose. These are juried by park staff
and sometimes a local artist. Accepted artists
are to donate one piece of their work from the
residency, and also give at least one interpretive
program that advances the park’s mission. In
my case, I invited park rangers to the cabin to
choose from several paintings. I gave demon-
strations on my process at Miners Castle Infor-
mation Center on National Parks Day.”
Have you ever done an Artist-In-Residence
before and what were your expectations?
“This was my first (but hopefully not my
last)! The Chapel Rock area is my favorite place
in the park. I expected to hike this area as much
as possible, but didn’t even make it there. I was
able to explore the east side of the park, a place
less familiar to me. Since the cabin was about
20 minutes to Grand Marais, the west side of
the park was about a 40-minute drive! This was
something I didn’t think about. Hurricane Beach
area and the dunes became my favorite places
18 | Reflections Fall ’18
to hike. I did wonder if I’d have a profound ex-
perience, something that would change my style
completely, but that wasn’t the case – which I’m
completely fine with. My art style was familiar,
but with brighter more intense colors. My scale
was smaller due to the size of my table and stu-
dio. I think what I did take away from my experi-
ence will evolve slowly, just as nature does.”
What significance did Pictured Rocks
have for you before the experience, and
what is your perspective after it?
“Before: My first time at Pictured Rocks
left me with an impression of long rocky, wood-
ed landscape views that seem to go on forever,
so some of my art at my senior show had a
long, narrow format inspired by the shoreline.
I had backcountry camped, or did day hikes, on
previous visits. This time, having a home base
at the cabin was luxurious. I didn’t have to plan
or worry about not getting a campsite. When
I camped out in the 90s, we were able to get
a site, now with the popularity of the park, it’s
much harder during peak season. My perspec-
tive of the park is still the same (It’s grand,
and nature at its best). It’s just that I’ve broad-
ened my geographic experience. I’ve also found
interest in the micro, small plants, rocks and
textures.”
What did you learn about yourself during
this experience?
“Being off the grid was a gift, able to focus
purely on painting. The cabin had solar powered
lights. I’m a conservative person with energy
anyway, but was more aware of using electricity
only when I really needed it. When I hike, I like
to look at the ground and pay attention to the
tiny things most people overlook. I’ve always
liked rocks, but I really got into searching for
unique stones with vibrant colors.”