Why I Love Michigan—and Why It’s at the Heart of Mitten Masterpiece
I wasn’t born in Michigan. I was born and raised in northern Indiana, just close enough to feel Michigan’s pull but not close enough to call it home—at least not at first. That changed when I moved to Michigan at nineteen, a move that would quietly shape the rest of my life in ways I couldn’t have predicted at the time.
My connection to Michigan runs deeper than geography. My father is from the Upper Peninsula, and much of my family still has roots there. Trips north were part of my life long before I officially became a Michigander, and those early experiences left a lasting impression. The pace, the landscapes, the water, and the sense of space all felt different—calmer, steadier, more grounded.
A Life Lived Across the State
Over the years, Michigan has been home in many forms. I’ve lived in Charlevoix and Harbor Springs, where lake light and seasonal rhythms define daily life. I’ve lived in Ann Arbor and East Lansing, where energy and creativity thrive around universities. I’ve spent time in Traverse City, where tourism, art, and natural beauty intersect in a way that feels uniquely Michigan. I’ve also lived in Brighton and now DeWitt (greater Lansing area), places that reflect the quieter, everyday side of the state.
Each place offered a different lens on what Michigan is—and what it means to belong here.
The Pull of Northern Michigan
There’s something about Michigan’s “up north” towns that stays with you. The lakes, the harbors, the lighthouses, the main streets that swell with life in the summer and slow down in the winter. These places are shaped by tourism, yes—but also by pride, history, and a deep respect for place.
For many people, northern Michigan represents memory. Family trips. Long weekends. Sunsets on the water. That emotional connection is powerful, and it’s something I feel every time I return.
From left to right: Gavin at the top of Hotel Earl in Charlevoix; Gavin in front of the South Pier Lighthouse in Charlevoix; and Gavin and I after he ran the Jeff Drenth Memorial 5k during Venetian Festival
Where Paint by Number Entered the Picture
As I became more involved in paint by number, I noticed a gap. While there were countless kits featuring generic landscapes or faraway destinations, there were surprisingly few that captured the landmarks and scenes that define Michigan—especially the places people love most.
I wanted to paint the places that mattered to me. The harbors. The bridges. The shoreline. The small-town moments that feel instantly familiar if you’ve spent time here. But those kits simply didn’t exist in a way that felt thoughtful, accurate, or worthy of display.
So I started creating them.
Turning Place Into Something You Can Paint
Mitten Masterpiece grew from a simple desire: to turn Michigan’s beauty into art that people could engage with personally. Paint by number became a way to slow down and reconnect with places that often exist only as memories or snapshots.
Painting a Michigan landmark isn’t just about recreating a scene—it’s about revisiting a feeling. The quiet of a harbor at dusk. The glow of summer light on a familiar street. The sense of escape that draws people north year after year.
Why Michigan Will Always Be Central
Michigan isn’t just a theme for Mitten Masterpiece. It’s the foundation. It’s why our designs feel specific, not generic. It’s why we care so deeply about getting details right. And it’s why the finished pieces resonate with people who see their own stories reflected in them.
I may not have been born here—but Michigan is home. I’ve now lived here longer than I ever did in Indiana. And creating paint-by-number kits that honor its beauty is my way of celebrating the place that shaped both my life and this brand.
❤️ With Love from Michigan,
Bobbie