Where do we meet for the series?

Meet at the Almira Historical Society's open-air pavilion located at 19440 Maple St, Lake Ann, MI for the first studio session and check-in.

What time do field sessions start?

Field sessions typically begin at 10 AM and run about five to six hours total, including travel and a painting block.

Is any prior watercolor experience required?

No. The first meeting covers foundational techniques and the instructor provides guided exercises during field sessions.

How many people are in each series?

Series are limited to six participants to ensure focused instruction and individualized feedback.

Are materials provided?

Materials are organized during the initial pavilion session; check your booking details or contact the operator for specifics about shared versus personal supplies.

What is the minimum age to participate?

Participants must be at least 18 years old.

Brushes & Back Roads: A Three-Week Watercolor Roam Around Lake Ann | Farm | Workshop

On three consecutive Wednesdays—July 29, August 5 & 12—the Flower Farm Series gathers at Lake Ann, Michigan, for a roving watercolor workshop that trades studio formality for sunlit fields, lake edges, and the easy rhythms of northern Michigan country. Each week begins at the Almira Historical Society's open-air pavilion at 19440 Maple St, where students assemble watercolor kits and practice foundational techniques. From there, the group climbs aboard Atlas, the instructor's vintage VW bus, and rolls to a new painting location: an orchard rim, a quiet inland lake, a farm field thick with blooms, or a grassy shoreline that frames long grasses and late-summer light. Field sessions run about five to six hours, with roughly three hours painting outdoors and time carved out for spontaneous side quests—a swim, a farm-stand stop, or a cool drink at a nearby winery—before the day wraps in mid-afternoon. What makes this series a standout is how it blends accessible instruction with place-based exploration. The first meeting in the pavilion is focused and practical: kit assembly, basic washes, and compositional exercises that prepare painters of all levels. Subsequent sessions are mobile studios: students spread papers on folding easels, test washes on sunlit boards, and learn to read shifting light across water and field. The small group size (six participants) keeps feedback immediate and the pace relaxed, so the emphasis stays on seeing and translating landscape rather than chasing perfect technique. For travelers, the trip functions like a cultural and outdoor primer to this corner of Benzie County: quiet back roads, fruit farms, wildflower meadows, inland lakes and accessible shorelines. The combination of instruction, exploration, and social spontaneity makes it ideal for solo travelers seeking creative company, friends looking for a thoughtful day outdoors, or couples who want a low-key experiential outing. Practical details matter here: arrive with sun protection, bring a foldable chair if you prefer not to stand for long stretches, and expect to be outdoors in variable weather. The series is an invitation to slow down, practice observation, and leave with original watercolors and a fresh sense of place. Whether you paint to improve technique or simply to remember a summer afternoon, the Flower Farm Series offers a portable studio, local color, and a friendly way to meet the landscape of northern Michigan. Logistics: sessions begin at 10 AM, run five to six hours, and are limited to six participants to keep instruction focused. Minimum age is 18. Check-in and the first studio meeting are at the Almira Historical Society pavilion. Bring layers for shifting breezes and a small pack for snacks; materials are arranged during the first session so newcomers can jump in without prior gear. Reserve early; space fills quickly—register now.