 Once ranked as the fourth most popular European destination, London offers a multitude of cultural sites and museums. Buckingham Palace, The Tower of London, Big Ben and iconic landmarks that have drawn countless visitors from around the world. Of course, when I visited London, I added a lighthouse to my “must see” list.
As I traveled on the Tube to the lighthouse, I was startled when I heard “Mind the Gap.” Brene Brown notes that “Minding the Gap is a daring strategy. We have to pay attention to where we are and where we want to be.” Seems like a life lesson embedded in that simple quote. Certainly world leaders will certainly be minding the gap as they grapple with the pandemic and climate challenges at the G20 Summit in Europe. After debarking the Tube, I walked a couple blocks to Trinity Buoy Wharf to sketch London's only Lighthouse. While there I also discovered Lightship 95. The first modern lightship was placed at the mouth of the River Thames in England by its inventor Robert Hamblin in 1734. There are lightships around the world thanks to Hamelin. Thinking about how countries once collaborated to make the seas safer, I’m hopeful world leaders will “Mind the Gap.”
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 Dodging cars like a nervous pedestrian, the historic Biloxi Lighthouse straddles traffic. It survives on a busy 4 lane highway oblivious to the hustle and bustle around it. The lighthouse is a reminder of the city’s and nation’s challenge. Casinos a few steps away promise fun and games. Those promises often fade when a change in the cards dashes all hopes. The lighthouse has survived over 20 hurricanes, the Civil War and Civil Rights protests since it was built in 1848. The lighthouse overlooks Biloxi beach darkened by the BP oil in April 2010. People and wildlife continue to suffer from the oil spill.
 Edgartown Lighthouse has always served as a symbol of hope. Once located on Crane's Beach, Edgartown Lighthouse replaced a lighthouse that was badly damaged in 1938. Islanders and visitors now stroll the beach near the lighthouse. Weddings often take place here. A children's memorial located at the lighthouse, offers comfort to loved ones.
This Lighthouse Art is available as Print on Demand only. Please contact me to order this print.  I caught the Staten Island Ferry to visit the National Lighthouse Museum, and to see the lighthouses on Staten Island. On the way, I caught a distant view of the Statue of Liberty. While I had pledged not to sketch such a touristy site, I was persuaded otherwise when looking at Lady Liberty.
I only had a minute or two to sketch and capture my impression of the Statue of Liberty with a few lines. I later tried to recapture that fleeting moment in a painting with the same emotions and energy I felt when looking at the Statue of Liberty in awe. I used the color purple as a symbol of its royalty.  Artists are often inspired by what they see. When I visited the Egmont Key Lighthouse, I was saddened by what was missing and the resulting impotence. The lens is what makes it a “lighthouse.” Could it be called that without the traditional lens? Although it is an active light with a rotating beacon, I felt like the lighthouse had been desecrated by the removal of its upper potion. This somber mood, overcast sky and threatening storms from Hurricane Barry are depicted in the painting.
The missing top and lens of the current Egmont Key Lighthouse provides many insights to the lighthouse’s history. Built in 1858, the truncated Egmont Key Lighthouse has many battle scars and efforts to remove the lens.  Discover South Portland’s History in this dynamic walking tour with over 50 stops. Explore historic landmarks, architecture and monuments. Learn about popular restaurants, craft beer bars and Portland’s waterfront history.
South Portland is home to Portland Breakwater Lighthouse. The Greek Revival building is the crown jewel of Bug Light Park. The architect of Portland Breakwater Lighthouse also designed the dome of the US Capitol. The lighthouse and a breakwater were built after an 1831 storm damaged ships, piers and buildings in Portland’s harbor. The breakwater was first constructed and turned out to be a navigational hazard. Finally in 1855 the first lighthouse was constructed. In 1874 the current lighthouse replaced the wooden lighthouse.  One year after the Titanic sank, the Titanic Memorial Lighthouse and time ball was built in 1913 to honor the victims atop Seamen’s Church. In 1976, it was donated to South Seaport Museum and moved to Titanic Memorial Park in Manhattan. The Time ball inspired the New Year’s Eve Time Drop.
The Friends of the Titanic launched a GoFundme fundraiser to restore the lighthouse on the 110th Anniversary of the tragedy on April 15, 2022. Join living relatives of the passengers and crew in preserving their memories by helping to restore the Titanic Memorial Lighthouse. A portion of the purchase will be donated to The Friends of The Titanic.  I spent last weekend driving along Florida’s A1A coast. I was delighted to see wetlands and mangroves blocking my view instead of condos and houses. Besides palm trees, wetlands are one of my favorite things about Florida.
A few days later, I read a post about the vulnerability of Louisiana’s wetlands. They are weakened due to being cut off for over a century from the Mississippi River. The wetlands are a natural buffer from hurricanes.  Purposeful and Playful" that's how a lady characterized my art at the "Voices of Lighthouses" Exhibit at the Lilac Preservation Project in Manhattan, New York. I'm so happy she understood the heart of my art..."Purposeful and Playful." I try my best to promote the preservation of lighthouses in a playful manner. Lighthouse preservation is serious business. But it feels good to help promote such a worthy cause. If you are an art collector, nature lover or conservationist, you will enjoy exploring my Paint the Parks page. I am a member of Paint the Parks worldwide network of artists who are passionate about preserving parks for future generations. Ten percent of the purchase of all art on my website's Paint the Parks page goes to the non profit, The Friends of the Titanic.  My lighthouse paintings are portraits. Each lighthouse has a particular mood and an attitude. Some are friendly and flirtatious while others are reserved and formal. When I paint Lighthouses, It is not the daymark that compels me. It is the atmosphere, sunlight, clouds and setting that becomes alive. The Amelia Island Lighthouse on the front was painted on a sunny day with blue skies. It stood as a closely guarded secret because there were no directional signs for getting there. Hence it blends with the background. |
AuthorWhen I am not traveling to or painting lighthouses, I am writing or researching lighthouses. Archives
May 2022
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