 The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate acts of its members. Coretta Scott King
Cape San Blas and George Core Park in Port St. Joe, Florida exemplify the passionate spirit of its community. After being deemed excess property by the Air Force, the City of Port St. Joe applied to the National Park Service and was awarded ownership of the lighthouse and buildings in 2012. The City of Port St. Joe raised funds to relocate the buildings. The lighthouse and dwellings were moved on truck convoy from Cape San Blas 12 miles away. Three cranes placed the lighthouse atop its new foundation and moved it to George Core Park. George Core Park is an ideal venue for the City of Port St. Joe's community festivals and special events.
0 Comments
 Hailed as one of the great lighthouses in Ireland, Blackhead Lighthouse is perched high on a cliff overlooking the ocean. I stayed at Blackhead in Northern Ireland for three days and two nights.
I made the most of my stay by sketching and photographing the lighthouse at different times of the day. I witnessed a blazing sunrise, glorious sunset and quiet moonlight while sitting on the porch, My heart pulsed with the beam of the lighthouse as it swirled quietly in the darkness. “Hope in the Night” captures the lighthouse at night. This is my only painting of an active lighthouse at night.  My lighthouse art of Little Red Lighthouse and a few select prints are available at my Fine Art America store for a limited time.
Don’t wait! Wow your friends & family with a spectacular gift of art. Check out my Fine Art America store for apparel, journals available through Dec 18. Dec 14- Fine Art America’s Last Day for Domestic ground shipments. Dec 18 - Fine Art America’s Last Day for Overnight Domestic Shipments.  With so much bad news dominating the headlines, it’s good to read that Americans embraced the true spirit of Christmas this year.
On Giving Tuesday, Americans gave 2.7 billion an increase of 9% from 2020. As Bob Hope once said, My idea of Christmas..is loving others. Come to think of it why wait for Christmas to do that?” May we continue to embrace the spirit of Christmas each day. Don’t wait! Wow your friends & family with a spectacular unique gift of art. Check out my Fine Art America store for apparel, journals and a select edition of Lighthouse Art. Dec 14- Fine Art America Last Day for Domestic ground shipments. Dec 18 - Fine Art America Last Day for Overnight Domestic Shipments.  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. The Statue of Liberty, our national treasure and prestigious landmark once served as a lighthouse. Congressional acceptance of the gift from France specified that the structure would be maintained as a beacon.  While touring Ireland's breathtaking coast on the Wild Atlantic Way, we visited Broadhaven Lighthouse. After sneaking over a wall to see a lighthouse earlier, I was relieved with the accessibility of the Broadhaven lighthouse. It lingered at the lighthouse and sketched it at a leisurely pace. I was happy to catch my breath and enjoy the scenic mountains surrounding it. Time seemed to stand still.
Broadhaven Lighthouse was established in 1855. An unlit beacon was initially planned. However, community leaders convinced Trinity House that a harbor light was needed.  My painting “The Kiss of Light'' evokes a light, romantic and colorful mood. My impressionist lighthouse painting depicts the movement of natural light as its rays move across Donaghadee Lighthouse. I was inspired to use an impressionist technique because Donaghadee was the first Irish lighthouse to be electrified. This technique also allowed me to highlight Donaghee’s unique etched lines.
Finally, I used the romantic and uplifting mode of Impressionism in this painting to recall the days when Donaghee was a popular site for weddings. Donaghadee Lighthouse is cloaked in white symbolizing the untarnished beauty of a bride on her wedding day. Donaghadee Lighthouse Tower stands alone on a popular harbor near Dublin in Northern Ireland. Lighthouse towers, unlike light stations, do not have a keepers house. Visit my Saatchiart Gallery to see “Impressions at Donaghadee” and more of my original lighthouse art.  As I was looking at the New York Post’s Art Basel photos of 2021. I was surprised to see photos of celebrities and parties before seeing art.
I guess as an artist the art would be my focus. But I must admit Miami Beach Art Basel is about more than Art. Sure there are dozens of art Fairs but there's plenty of entertainment, too. Miami Art Basel at the Convention Center closes at 7 pm most days and some people arrive before the event. So I guess it makes sense. Art doesn’t exist in a vacuum. And neither should we. I’m hoping the art brought joy, encouraged people to connect to art and one another. After all, Art Basel is about more than Art.  I painted the Cape Florida Lighthouse after a week of rain. I drove to Key Biscayne to see the lighthouse in sunny Florida.
Standing behind a canopy of palm trees, the beautiful lighthouse towered against a clear blue sky. The lighthouse was surrounded by mangroves and not condos, thanks to the park's namesake, Bill Baggs. The Bill Baggs State Park was opened in 1967 foiling efforts by developers.  It’s finally here! After two years, the biggest Art Fair in the United States opens its doors to the public.
With over 200 galleries, there’s plenty of art to see. Lots of modern and contemporary art beckons. Timed entry will make for a more relaxed and fun environment. A new and improved Miami Beach Convention will enhance the experience. Here’s what you can expect:
Nova Sector - showcase a space for galleries to present new artists. Surveys Sector - features art before 2020.
Art Basel Bookstore - a selection of books, DVD that reflect the artist presents at Art Basel. |
AuthorWhen I am not traveling to or painting lighthouses, I am writing or researching lighthouses. Archives
May 2022
Categories |
RSS Feed
