TRAVERSE CITY —
David Hodge gets a kick out of seeing the smiles that his paintings inspire.
"My paintings make a lot of people happy and that is very important to me," said Hodge, the artist behind this year's National Cherry Festival commemorative painting.
Hodge's submission, "Royale Parade," is a whimsical celebration of his favorite hometown festival. It was one of well over 100 submissions for the annual competition and took top honors in the adult fine art category.
"Painting wasn't something I ever planned on getting in to, it just sort of happened," said the Traverse City native who moved back home after nearly two decades working in publishing in Seattle.
The self-taught artist and author took up the brush while writing a science fiction thriller to help him flesh out the main character of his novel.
"It just came naturally to me," he said.
Over the last decade, his paintings have been exhibited at several arts shows throughout Seattle and in an original calendar.
Hodge says returning to his childhood stomping grounds last year inspired him to start painting cherry images.
"Having grown up in Traverse City, cherries and the Cherry Festival are a huge part of my personal mythology."
After completing a dozen or so paintings, Hodge says he saw a story line developing. In what he calls an animated modern fairy tale for all ages, the 70-painting series celebrates the Grand Traverse region through the experiences of Charlie Orchard, an orphan cherry who aspires to be an artist.
"Painting cherries as people, putting them at the festival, puts a fun spin on it," Hodge said.
His soon-to-be-published book, "A Cherry's Tale," features Hodge's paintings, including the National Cherry Festival print, and explores universal themes of love and loss.
David Hodge will be a contributor to Sunday's National Cherry Festival Art Fair. To celebrate the 86th festival, he will have 86 paintings for sale.
For more information, visit www.davidhodgeart.com.
Life
Related Photos
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Artist David Hodge's "Royale Parade," an acrylic on canvas work, is this year's National Cherry Festival poster. The piece is one of 70 Hodge created for a cherry-themed book, "A Cherry's Tale." Record-Eagle/Jan-Michael Stump
Northern People: Cherry Festival poster artist
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Community in Brief: 05/22/2013
NWS hosts author; Parkinson's support group; film and discussion; and more.
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Community in Brief: 05/21/2013
Weather balloon launch; TCAPS Music Boosters concert; library plant sale and more.
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Historical Photo of the Week: 05/20/2013
Can any readers identify the people in this photo? (Click the photo at right to view it larger.)
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Info on May 13 historical photo
Historical photo information, provided by readers, for the May 13 image:
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News from 100 Years Ago: 05/20/2013
Marriage licenses were issued today to William J. Smith and Alta E. Wells, both of Traverse City; Will M. Russell and Lola May McCombs, both of Buckley, R.F.D. No. 1.
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Local student earns rank of Eagle Scout
Nicholas Loew, an Elk Rapids High School freshman has earned the rank of Eagle Scout.
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Community in Brief: 05/20/2013
Interlochen schedule changes; author program; SEEDS fashion show; and more.
Continued ... - Sunday, May 19, 2013
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Leelanau Birding Festival runs May 29-June 2
Robert Parsons has traveled to Texas, Arizona, Florida and even Costa Rica to seek out unusual birds. Now Parsons is adding Michigan to that list.
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Tom Mountz is the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore’s longest-serving employee. He can’t think of one other place in the world he would rather work.
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Kathy Gibbons: Time to say goodbye — once again
It’s been three years since I’ve actually lived here full-time in the summer. This year will mark the fourth.
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Terry Wooten: One poem leads to another — and friendship
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Births: 05/19/2013
MILLER — A son, Elijah Thomas, to Tom and Amy (McNeil) Miller of Lake Ann, March 28.
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Travel in Brief: 05/19/2013
Agritourism listings; New exhibit; Disney at Palace. (Plus more)
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Community in Brief: 05/19/2013
Beekeepers meeting; Korean War story; Swirl in Petoskey; and more.
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Priest uses big rig to make special deliveries
Father Ray Cotter delivers more than sermons. Two weeks ago, the former truck truck driver turned priest drove a semi-tractor-trailer rig to Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C., to pick up 1,164 free military computers for use in Michigan Catholic schools in the dioceses of Lansing, Saginaw, Gaylord and Marquette.
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Body & Soul in Brief: 05/18/2013
Lupus meeting; cancer survivor picnic; Lyme disease support group; and more.
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Area Blood Drives: 05/18/2013
Find a blood drive in the area:
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You're Needed: 05/18/2013
Organizers of the Art Rapids! fair to be held in June in Elk Rapids are seeking host families for some of the artists who will be participating in the event.
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Perspectives: Structuring a balanced life as we age
Whether we realize it or not, we all live within “structure.” Sometimes it becomes too limiting or too confining. This can be physical, emotional and spiritual.
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Claudia Schmidt comes home to Sleder's
Claudia Schmidt will perform in an “On the Porch” concert at Sleder’s Family Tavern on Sunday, May 19.
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Health Newsmakers: 05/18/2013
In June, Barbara McIntyre, Ph.D., ATR-BC, LPC, will present the paper “Grief Expression and Healing Through Art” at the 44th annual American Art Therapy Conference in Seattle.
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Community Newsmakers: 05/18/2013
David Barr and Beth Dwaihy-Barr will be honored at the Legacy Gala on Saturday, June 15 at the Novi Civic Center in Novi.
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Community in Brief: 05/18/2013
Moyers' interview on climate; Short's kick-off party; chamber music on IPR; and more.
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Education Newsmakers: 05/18/2013
TC Central High School Freshman, Taylor Weckstein, has been named Distinguished Finalist in the 2013 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards in Michigan for the creation of her charitable organization Giving 1 Family at a Time (G.1.F.T).
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Community in Brief: 05/22/2013
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