"Sailing Through the Summer Along the Eastern Shoreline" — Original Oil Painting on Canvas | Lake Michigan | Christi Dreese

On the water, time moves differently.

Sailing Through the Summer Along the Eastern Shoreline captures a quiet afternoon on Lake Michigan — sailboats drifting in the distance, gentle waves catching the light, and a vibrant red lifesaver pulling the eye forward with a flash of warmth. There’s energy here, but it’s the easy kind — the kind that belongs to long summer days on the water.

Painted with Christi Dreese’s signature expressive brushwork and bold, layered color, this piece brings the calm and movement of the lakeshore into any space — coastal interiors, lake homes, or anywhere that deserves a reminder of summer.

Studio Story

Sailing Through Summer was inspired by a day spent in Suttons Bay, Michigan.

I was walking along the dock, taking photo after photo as sailboats raced across the water. There was so much movement and color, but one view stopped me—the bright orange life ring in the foreground with the sailboats perfectly framed beyond it.

I loved the energy of the harbor and the character of Suttons Bay itself. It has that creative, easygoing feeling I’m always drawn to—art, wineries, water, and a strong sense of place.

It’s one of those communities where I can imagine lingering a little longer, and maybe even living there someday.

This painting holds onto that feeling of summer on the water—bright, lively, and full of possibility.

Medium: Original oil on canvas
Size: 30" × 24" × 1.5"
Style: Contemporary impressionism
Signed by artist Christi Dreese

Shipping & Presentation

This painting ships stretched and ready to hang, carefully packaged to arrive in perfect condition. Custom framing is available upon request.

About the Artist

Christi Dreese is a Michigan contemporary impressionist artist whose work is drawn from the shorelines, light, and living landscapes of the Great Lakes region. Each painting is created individually in her Michigan studio — expressive, one-of-a-kind, and made to be lived with.