An Old Mission Heart Home

Not long after I launched Stoney Bend Prints, I was shopping at an art gallery on the Old Mission Peninsula, just north of Traverse City, Michigan. If you’ve never been to the Old Mission Peninsula, you should make a point to go. It’s a twenty-mile-long jewel of Northern Michigan, featuring rolling hills, vineyards, wineries, and stunning views of the beautiful Grand Traverse Bay.

While browsing at Tinker Studio & Gallery, I noticed a framed picture of the iconic lighthouse in Marquette, Michigan. I had previously sketched it at the request of a friend. I decided to show a few of my sketches to the people at Tinker, and to my surprise, they agreed to display some of my work in the shop.

The Marquette Lighthouse sketch that started the Tinker Studio journey.

The First True Request

The next day, literally the next morning, I received an email from someone who bought a couple of my prints. I was blown away that my sketches connected with someone and that I made my first “sale” so quickly. Even more amazing was that they asked if I could possibly sketch her in-laws' cottage.

This was the idea I’d had all along—that every place has a story. Maybe someone would stumble upon a sketch of mine and ask me to capture their special spot. Up until this point, all the requests I’d gotten for custom sketches came from people I already knew. Nothing wrong with that, but this was the first real anonymous request, and it felt super validating.

Through a few back-and-forth emails, we discussed the cottage and how much it meant to the family. I knew right away that I wanted to do this sketch. The cottage is quintessential Northern Michigan. As the owner told me later, there’s something special about a stone-built house.

The Story of the Heart Home

Here is the story that inspired their request:

“A dear friend once told me that in your lifetime, you will only have one true 'heart home.' I wasn’t sure what she meant by that, but now, after 50 years at Stone Cottage, I understand.

In 1977, we purchased Stone Cottage on the Old Mission Peninsula in Northern Michigan. We are only the third owners of this quintessential 'Up North' cottage, built in 1927 with local hand-gathered stones from an adjacent cherry orchard.

We’ve left this cottage virtually unchanged to retain the charm that embodies the heart and soul of a classic Michigan getaway. Our children have spent summers here, running barefoot on the beach, and we’ve celebrated countless birthdays, weddings, and family reunions under its roof.

Friends and family have cherished the winding driveway, beautiful lilacs, and the view of Grand Traverse Bay. The memories of those we shared this place with will forever make Stone Cottage our heart home!” Liz - Old Mission Peninsula, Traverse City Michigan

The Honor and Pressure

I felt honored that they had entrusted me with this opportunity to capture their heart home in a sketch. But it also came with some pressure. What if they didn’t like it? It’s one thing to do a sketch for a friend, but this felt different. It felt more personal and, if I’m being honest, made me doubt if I could do it.

The final sketch of Stone Cottage on Old Mission Peninsula. A true OMP classic and a true heart home.

Long story short, I completed the sketch after two attempts (the first unsuccessful try is actually on the back of the original). I was thrilled with the result, and more importantly, Liz and her family loved it too. They liked it so much that they ordered three prints.

I exchanged a few follow-up emails with Chelsea, who made the initial request. She told me that her in-laws spent their first night as a married couple at the cottage 49 years ago! This helps me understand even better why this place held such significance for their family.

The End of the Old Mission Journey

A journey that began with a fortunate opportunity at Tinker Studio concluded perfectly. It was a privilege to get to know this family, hear their story, and learn about their heart home. On top of that, I’ve sold over 30 more prints at the studio. Who knows? Maybe a new request will be just around the corner!

Thanks for reading - Scott Norman

Note: Next time you’re visiting Traverse City, stop by Tinker Studio & Gallery at Old Mission Distilling. It’s an OMP hidden gem. Grab a drink, shop the gallery, and bring home a Stoney Bend Print!

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The Gallery at Stoney Bend Prints