Marblehead Lighthouse

This morning Mom and I visited one of Dad's favorite places, Marblehead Lighthouse.  We've come here through the years to rest on the rocks, listening to the roar of the waves crash into them. Some days it is gentle and soothing, others strong and forceful. We all used to climb along the rocky edge, jumping from slab to slab.  Dad liked to photograph this place,  selling those images in local galleries.  He'd rest on the benches, with Mom by his side,  as they soaked it all in.  It was lovely to return here, thinking of Dad, on such a beautiful morning for sketching.  Painting number 4274 in 4274 days. 🎨❤️

Marblehead Batik

purchase here

Surprise!  Watercolor Batik is on deck tonight!  I really love the depths of this difficult technique, but seldom let myself spend the time on it.  Requested to present this to Summit Art, I pull out my supplies to condense my half day workshop into 40 mintues!  So, I decided to demo each step of the process with an example to pass around.  Hopefully, the process will be more clear with examples lined up in order, one through eight.  I think it will be very helpful for the next workshop I teach as well.  And while I'm at it,  I jumped into the largest watercolor batik on delicate rice paper I've ever done - almost 16x20!  I do love a challenge!  Lol! Painting number 2258 in 2258 days.

Marblehead Lighthouse

Before setting up to paint, a nice couple shared the weather info with me, warning that a storm was imminent and pulling up their radar to show me where it is. Looked like I would have an hour to paint.  Five minutes in, the raindrops started to fall. Yikes!  I had to get that panel covered with paint before rain hit it!  I tilted the panel downward and painted as fast as I could!  A young girl came up and asked if she could paint, so I handed her my brush and showed her how to lay in some green for the trees.  The rain picked up and I took over, working fast.  I just knew the clouds were going to open up before I finished, but I got it done - and the storm went completely around us!  Painting number 1645 in 1645 days.

Marblehead Lighthouse

Marblehead Lighthouse
Oil on canvas panel, 6x8
bid here

There is a majestic beauty to a lighthouse.  Not only are they a beacon of hope on a dark night, they stand tall and proud against nature's wrath.  This one is in Marblehead, a place we visit almost annually, whenever we are up to see my parents near Lake Erie.  The vintage town is so full of charm!  I love to pour through the galleries and shops unique to the area.  From the other side of this lighthouse, you can look across the water and see the amusement park, Cedar Point way off in the distance - another favorite with the family!  I think this is only the second time I have painted this lighthouse, the first time an autumn scene done in acrylics.  I have taken photos of several different lighthouses through the years.  I really need to find them to use for reference material in more paintings.  This is painting number 758 in 758 days, Day 27 in the 30 Day Painting Challenge.