To continue our colorful fudge box tradition, we need your help to decide which of Noel’s two newest Mackinac Island paintings to use for our next box.
See the details below on how to vote for your top choice.
There’s no place on earth more inspiring for artists than on idyllic Mackinac Island. With expansive Great Lakes waters, Straits of Mackinac sunrises and sunsets, a vibrant boating scene, postcard-perfect village streets, horse-drawn carriages and blooms upon blooms, garden after garden, the island is an artist’s dream come true.
The popularity of our five-slice, art-adorned package that leads your eye to the hustle-bustle of the island’s painterly Mackinac Island Harbor during the annual Bell’s Bayview Mackinac Race from Port Huron has lead us back to Noel’s studio in search of yet another wonderful iconic scene.
Noel recently shared with us two paintings that venture down Main Street and over to and above Ste. Anne Church. The artist, who creates impressionistic works of the island’s cottages, gardens, street scenes and lakeside vistas, shares that these two (shown below) are a couple of her favorite works.
“It took me several months to paint these,” says Noel, who’s been an artist “since age 2!” For these two recent paintings, up and down the bluffs she’d go daily (unless there’s rain in the forecast, of course) with canvas and paints in tow to capture these scenes.
The original panoramic rooftop view is for sale, while the other has already sold (no surprise!).
“There’s some line work showing, some scraping, and lots of texture,” she explains of the panoramic painting. “It was interesting to paint these because as I started, the lilacs weren’t in bloom yet, so there wasn’t a lot of foliage, etc. blocking the roofs and buildings and I could see a lot of the structures.”
Then the lilacs bloomed and Noel sprinkled the piece with lavenders, purples, verdant greens and pinky-lilacs to convey the very essence of the island’s iconic blooms.
“In the panoramic, I tried to include all that’s Mackinac,” she adds, referring to different types of boats, lilacs, a passing freighter, a horse in a little corral and more.
Very soon, we’ll select one of the paintings for our next gift box.
The Street Scene shows a stunning view of the Ste. Anne Church’s steeple, the flower-lined street and the horse carriage, while the Rooftop Panoramic, as mentioned, treats you to not only that historic steeple, but also a breathtaking view of the harbor, dock, and more of the island … and don’t miss that freighter!
We Need Your Help
Please vote for your favorite! Let us know which painting you prefer — Rooftop Panoramic or Street Scene — and why in the comments box below. Or you can post a note about your choice on our Facebook page.
The best explanation will win free fudge at a later date!
DO YOU LIKE THIS ROOFTOP PANORAMIC … OR …
… DO YOU LIKE THIS STREET SCENE?
VOTER’S SPECIAL: As a thank you for voting, please enjoy a 15% discount on your Original Murdick’s Fudge online order of our Sweet Summer treats. Visit our online Mackinac fudge store here and enter the code “I Voted” at checkout.
Thanks for your vote and support! We hope to see you soon on Mackinac Island.
Posted Aug. 24, 2015 Mackinac Island’s Most Famous Fudge
I like the street scene
Thanks Annie. That scene really brings out happy Mackinac Island memories for our friends!
I love the rooftop scene, it gives a better view of more of what visitors see when walking around the island and captures the feel of the island. when we visit we soak up the sounds of the lake, the sights of sun, water and the beautiful structures on the island. this view takes me back instantly. love it
Thanks for your comments Patricia. We love it too!
Rooftop!! Love that picture!
Thanks for the vote Carol. That view is a great scene.
Rooftop panoramic…with the ships and the distant glimpse of the bridge it imparts the island feel!
Rooftop scene. It really does capture much of the essence of the Island.
Rooftop Rooftop!!
I love the rooftop panoramic, though both images are beautiful. My eye is drawn to the vibrant colors in the “rooftop” while looking over the water as far as the eye can see.
I like the roof top the best but both look very good
I like the lake vista scene. We were on the island in 2013 and remember well the views. I think your box cover would be very well liked and would surely be representative of the wonderful atmosphere the island evokes to each visitor. It portrays the uniqueness of Mackinac Island.
Street scene is my vote…like the showing of the horse drawn carriage….
I agree! The horses are original just like Murdicks fudge!
I like the rooftop panoramic painting.
Street scene, it is just perfect for the area.
I like the street scene. My memory of the island is the horses on the streets. The church reminds me of my childhood in Michigan.
The rooftop one for me! The street scene is gorgeous too but doesn’t capture the ‘island’ part of Mackinac.
I love them both! I like the street scene the best, as it really tells the tale of the Island.
I like the scene that shows the harbor & waters beyond as the water is so much a part of my memories, going back to my childhood, of Mackinac Island.
Love the roof top one, give u a true feeling of being there!
The Street Scene
This brings to mind memorable strolls past horse drawn carriages and the Islands true beauty and architecture.
I love the rooftop panoramic – as that is always one of my favorite views when on the island. We take our bikes up the hill near Mission Point and that view is almost like the reward for climbing/riding up that hill! ☺️
The panorama says it all! Wonderful little place, isn’t it?
Street scene..
I like the rooftop scene. It shows a scene of what more people know Mackinac Island as. Few people identify with a winter scene.
I think both paintings are lovely, but the rooftop scene is my favorite! I love the colors, and the view of so many things that make the Island special and dear to my heart … The church, the homes, the beautiful water, the freighter, the ferries, and of course, Mighty Mac in the background!!
Street scene. It’s more identifiable to me as Mackinac Island.
They are both beautiful ! I vote for the street scene.
I love the Rooftop Panoramic! So much more of the island in that one. Breathtaking.
Rooftop !! For Sure !!
The rooftop scene-the water reminds me of the excitement of arriving on the island and the winderful time exploring it!
Definitely the rooftop. It captures the essence of the island & brings back great memories.
I love the rooftop panoramic.
I love the street scene. Mackinac Island is usually a summer get away spot and the vivid colors and street scene bring the Island alive bursting with color!!!
I love the roof top scene. They are both beautiful, but the roof top scene shows so much of the amazing beauty that is seen by tourists.
The rooftop panorama is more pleasing to the eye. The street scene leaves an abrupt feeling when I look at it. My vote is for the rooftop scene.
I love the rooftop scene. I was just there for the fudge festival. It was s great day.
I vote for the Rooftop scene. It encompasses a little bit of all things Mackinac Island. Looking at this box transforms me to summer days in a place that is one of Michigan’s greatest treasures!
I like the rooftop. As seen from “up the hill”. The interior of the island is always a surprise too! Love the vistas and the newly rebuilt Holms Fort.
I like the roof top scene as much as I like the fudge at Murdick’s
The Rooftop Panoramic is my favorite. The Rooftop Panoramic shows how beautiful the island is. Everywhere you look there are so many beautiful things to taken in. The lighthouse, passing freighters, ferry boats, historical buildings, the chuch and all the lilacs. Breathtaking!
I like the panoramic view of the island. It shows that it is an island. The other one is pretty, but it could be anywhere – island or mainland. I vote panoramic.
I think the street scene is beautiful!!
I love them both, but I think the street scene would be beautiful on the box.I would save the box either way 🙂 after the fudge was long gone.
Oh so hard to choose!!! Both are wonderful views. Love the rooftop view as it gives you the “Birdseye view” of the Island and the makes you just absorb the whole feel of the life and happenings of the Island!! A breathtaking “you are there” moment:)
The street scene with the horse shows the unique quality of “no cars” on the island – what makes Mackinac Island so special. As for the snow, of course it snows in Michigan. Very lovely scene. My vote is for the essence of Mackinac Island – the street scene.
I like them both very much, but I think the Rooftop Panorama goes better with the way the box opens, so I’ll vote for that one.
My vote is for the rooftop panorama. It shows more of the Island that we all know & love.
Love the rooftop scene. From a practical standpoint, the landscape orientation will better fit the boxes.
Rooftop view …hands down!
I love the street scene.
We visited your beautiful island 8 years ago on our 25th Anniversary. The peaceful feeling of no vehicles & the horses everywhere were what made your island so special & unique.
This painting captures that feeling.
The rooftop scene is the best because it shows everything that is Mackinac Island.
I like the rooftop Panoramic view the best. I believe it expresses so much of what Mackinaw Island is. Looking at the picture I can imagine myself there looking out a window during a fresh, cool summer morning. I can smell and feel the lake breeze that can be seen whipping the flags and hear the water lapping and seagulls mewing over the shore. Even though I can’t see the horses, I can hear a nicker or the clop-clop of hooves in the distance as the day begins. I can see the steeple of the church and the extensive bridge in the horizon that contains a vast amount of history. I see beautiful houses that are surrounded by lush greenery and fragrant flowers and I can see ships and boats moving gently through the waters or sitting quietly in the harbor. It’s a painting that, to me, conveys sweet tranquility.
I love them both, but I would choose the rooftop view!
I prefer the rooftop scene. However, all of them are representative of Mackinaw Island.
I really like the rooftop panoramic scene. It captures a beautiful part of the island that is part of many memories. It also includes the bay and lake. No view of the island is complete for me without the water. The colors are amazing just like Mackinac Island every time we visit.
I love both, but I vote the church and horse & buggie. Can’t wait to see what wins.
I love street scene! So dreamy, a little romantic, something differeret…
Both are beautiful, but I love the rooftop scene the most!
Though I Love them both, the rooftop is my vote. 🙂
I like the street scene.
I like the panorama view. The colors are more vibrant and it includes more of what Mackinac Island is all about.
The rooftop panoramic truly encapsulates all that is Mackinac Island. Lush green grass, vibrant flowers, cool blue water and distinctive architecture. A Northern Michigan favorite, just like Original Murdick’s fudge!
Panoramic view. Noel is the best!
I enjoyed Noel Skiba’s artwork so much and think that it has become quintessential Mackinac Island. What a great choice for your boxes!
I would select the rooftop scene…thank you for asking.
I think both are beautiful but I am going to vote for the rooftop.
Rooftop! Lilacs are beautiful!
Rooftop panorama not only evokes all that a Mackinac Island summer includes, it also gives the receiver of the delectable Murdock’s Fudge an overwhelming taste, smell, and visual account of all things sweet summer bliss. Otherwise encapsulating Mackinac Island in a box. I will want some. Sold!
I like the rooftop panorama. It reminds me of the beautiful time I spent on the Island with my mom and sisters.
I love both of the scenes but will have to go with the rooftop since it shows the beautiful water scene and the buildings on part of this gorgeous island. This brings back some wonderful memories of our nephew’s wedding there many years ago.
Rooftop Panoramic:-it portrays the water and land area which are balanced with a symbol of faith, the church. Great “snapshot” of the island’s beautiful features!
I really like the street scene. It makes you right their on the street,with all the stores and horses. Brings back my memory of a week-end me and my sister stayed on the Island. We rode the horse drawn carts every where. Just loved watching the GPS cart delivering to an restaurant. Instead of my big truck that delivered to me At my Church Camp. That is one of many reasons that Mackinaw is so unique.
Both are wonderful works of art. My favorite is the Ste. Anne Church street scene.
I love the street scene.
Love the Rooftop Panoramic scene gives an overall view of the beauty of the island . instead of focusing on one building.
I like the rooftop panoramic scene. It makes me feel like I am there, taking in the whole island in one beautiful view. It makes me think of all of my favorite island memories and makes me want to visit again, soon!