Sand Island Lighthouse

Actually, the lighthouse and the Oil house.

Originally lighthouses were fueled by Whale oil that had to be trudged up however many steps necessary.

I've been in several lighthouses, and their stairs are legendary in their amount and heights.

This one in particular is similar to Pensacola lighthouse in that it a tall tower.

The circular staircases in these marvels of engineering are a sight to behold, especially from the top looking down.

Sand Island lighthouse is not the one we currently see. 

I did work from the photograph though of the one that was post-civil war. 

The first one was commissioned in 1828.

It was built between 1837 and finally lit in 1839.

It was only 55 feet tall.

It was then replaced by a brick tower in 1859.

This tower was famously destroyed during the civil war.

The story is told that the lens had been removed from the tower by the confederate army and put into safe keeping. 

The Union took over the island and was using the tower to spy on the Confederates.

In a series of two raids the confederates snuck onto the island and planted dynamite on the second raid.

Problem was that the fuse was too short and the men nearly lost their lives when the tower came crashing down all around them.

This was 1863.

1864 a temporary wooden tower was erected.

In 1873 the current 132-foot tower was built.

There was a large house for the family and assistant keepers.

The house caught fire and burned in the early 1970s.

The island originally was over 400 acres and had farming on it as well as the lighthouse keeper and his family.

The current state of Sand Island is sadly, crumbling into the sea.

There have been multiple attempts to shore up the area around the lighthouse, but I am afraid the only thing that will actually save it is to move it.

History is fascinating isn't it!

Sand Island Lighthouse, Acrylic on canvas, 4 x 12 inches

Day 49 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026

Another 100 days!

This fall was an incredible season with over 50 paintings sold at the shows.

The sales at the galleries have not slowed for me as well. 

Now my inventory is very low.

A great problem to have indeed!

Then there's the "problem" of winter shows.

I have two winter shows coming up in January down in Florida.

Starting with March Arts & Crafts here in Fairhope, we have a total of 7 shows for Spring as well. 

I have also been waitlisted for one show. 

Spring show season was wonderful earlier this year, with over 80 pieces sold.

So, I begin again with 100 paintings~100 days 2022 winter version.

The plan is to blog and post every day until Arts & Crafts.

Once again, I'll be giving away a painting valued at $295.00 at the end of the 100 days.

Join me in this rocking, rolling, wonderful life we call art here 

at the Raccoon Retreat Studio in beautiful Fairhope, Alabama.

Middle bay lighthouse Day 1 SOLD, a crabby situation! Day 2

100 days~100 paintings 2022w Days1 & 2

Middle Bay Lighthouse

Middle Bay lighthouse sits in Mobile Bay. It began it's work as a lighthouse on December 1st, 1885.

It was decommissioned in 1967 and was slated for demolition in 1971. 

Public outcry was so great, they decided to leave it where it stands now.

23 children have called it home.

One cow lived there for a few months, the lighthouse keeper's wife had a baby that would not nurse.

They moved the cow out there to provide milk for the baby.

I've talked with someone that said it was a black and white cow. I have also conversed with one of my friends that said her father brought hay out to the cow. I've always wanted to depict the cow, but I can not find out for certain where it was kept. Some historians say it was on the gallery, others a barge. 

I can only only imagine a herd animal being forced to live on the ocean by itself. 

I have read somewhere that it lowed constantly.

Anyway, the cow, wife, baby and light keeper were evacuated 5 months later when a hurricane threatened our stretch of the coast in 1916.

Middle Bay Lighthouse, Acrylic on canvas, 8x8 inches

Day 51 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2019

All caught up!

Have you ever heard the expression, there's more than one way to........ While I don't want to do that here, I am having to find new ways to work this blog. That is why all of the pieces are on the left side of the page. Tomorrow is another day and perhaps I will find my way to the regular computer in the office, instead of struggling with my fire. Actually figuring out the photos and posting from the fire is an accomplishment for me. Those of you that have read the blog before know that I am much better with a brush than a computer!

Apparently also better with a computer than the fire too!
As you can see, the photo for the two other paintings are below instead of the side. I am annoyed and it has been a long day so I will not fight it, but roll with the punches.

Christina and I were both in the studio today. She is working on a couple of pieces for me to take back for a show she has in April. While she cannot come to the opening, I will be representing her. Actually I am framing ,matting, carrying, curating, and representing her. Hopefully it will be a success! I do know it will be lovely !

This morning started for me about 1 am. As per my usual l awakened with a nature call. Unfortunately that was also the time that the thunderstorms moved in with high winds, thunder, and lightning. No sleep for me again until 4am. I set my alarm for 7 and hoped for the best. After a few fitful minutes I managed to fall asleep only to have strange dreams. When awake for a few minutes, Tina came in and handed me the baby for her to catch some z's for 30 minutes. We went downstairs for breakfast and the sky turned dark as night! The next set of rain came in and drenched the area, but moved out quickly. We also had lunch at The Big Chill restaurant. There are several of them here in Delhi, with all of them having very tasty cuisine! Mine was amazing, Tuscan chicken with spinach and Sun dried tomatos in a sauce you could taste the heavy cream in! Yum!. Served with just right green beans and bell pepper strips.

That's all for today, I am tired and ready for the bed that calls my name. Have a wonderful day!

Cast net, Sand Island Light, Catch of the day, Middle bay light
Acrylic in canvas all 4 x 12
Days 44, 45, 46, &47 of the 100 days~100 Paintings Spring 2918

Middle Bay and Old Glory

"Middle Bay and Old Glory"

It's hard to imagine that it is already another year gone by and time to start the 100 Days~100 Paintings. I started this series in gulp.....2009. This year will find me blogging and painting my 900th piece of art! (Actually more, but there may be a post about that later.) I never imagined it would still be something I look forward to creating and writing about. This day begins the 2017 series. 

This year the dynamic is still changing daily. My hard work as a professional artist is paying off with my pieces starting to be in demand. This spring was very successful and it found me doing more commissions than ever. "The Artists gallery" on South Section Street, Fairhope Alabama, now carries my works in a double sized space. Big Fish Trading Company on 98 is also carrying my pieces to go with their fabulous furniture. People are also visiting the studio to pick out their works. 

I also began a new series of paintings on multiple canvases. 

Fall shows applications are in and acceptances are being sent. 

The biggest change of all is my husband retired from his 40 year job at the paper mill. I am really enjoying having the love of my life at home, but we are still getting used to doing things apart. Most exciting is our new "tiny house" we use to travel and carry our dachshunds along for the journey! I cannot wait to take it to shows for us to have a place to stay. 

Now as to the surprise mentioned on Facebook, I am giving away a shadowbox painting of your choice in the 16 x 16 size. This size painting sells at shows for $155. I am looking forward to seeing how many collectors, new and old sign up to be a part of this exciting giveaway!

Feel free to share, share, share, the link please.

This painting started as a class piece for one of my advanced watercolor students. She added her husband's  sailboat to her painting for an anniversary present. 

This one is a watercolor mounted to canvas and put into a barnwood frame.

"Middle Bay and Old Glory" Watercolor mounted on canvas 14 x 18

$175.00

Lighthouses on the Gulf project

This project began as a response to a request for a painting of Middle Bay Lighthouse. I am now deep into the Eighth District according to the United States Coast Guard Map. History has never been so fun for me, learning about the lighthouses, their keepers and the storms from which they provided a beacon of light for refuge. Middle Bay especially now is prominent in my studio, I have worked on several versions in Oil, Acrylic and watercolor. This adventure in history proves to be a long one, with lots of research and paintings. I recently finished a painting of Pensacola Lighthouse that was sold before I could get it off of my easel. The Lighthouses are available in prints