The Cape Columbine Lighthouse is on the South side of Paternoster where it is built high on Castle Rock in a nature reserve. The rewards from spices and porcelain from the East must have outweighed the dangers for many merchant ships from Europe. How else would they sail along the treacherous West Coast of the Cape with its offshore reefs, knowing that they could easily share the watery grave of in excess of 200 ships?
This very attractive lighthouse is unusual in shape as it was built in the popular Art Deco style of the 1930's. It was the last manned lighthouse in South Africa and was a sensation because of its flashing lamp that replaced earlier oil- and- wick systems. It is visible for 32 nautical miles and the safety of current-day ships is also assured by radio signals and a foghorn.
I finished this scene some days ago. I added these close-up seagulls to the composition. But now I am somewhat puzzled and doubtful....can such a scene where the artist is supposed to be on ground level, but a bird's eye view prevails, really exist? Nevertheless, we will let it pass!
As I write this last paragraph prior to having my blog printed, I have to marvel at how difficult it is for an artist to appreciate a recently- finished painting. Now I am able to call this work successful! It was featured many times on RedBubble where it is available as a card or print!
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What a beautiful painting! It must be so nice to have this kind of scenery near you. I like your placement of the birds...lends a nice perspective.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully done Marie. And it certainly can be, it looks like you're sitting slightly lower on a slope and looking up towards the lighthouse - beautiful effect!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Gwen and Maree, it seems from your comments that the effect is successful!
ReplyDeleteIt's a very beautiful lighthouse. You do such wonderful work!!
ReplyDeleteMarie, I think the scene is very well done and yes, those birds do belong there. You should be writing your own travel book, illustrated by you, of course. Or, maybe you already have!
ReplyDeleteThis painting caught my eye right away and didn't feel unnatural at all. So interesting as Art Deco is one of my favorite periods of history. Beautiful and that touch of red!!Ohhh how nice.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great looking painting, Marie. I don't think I've ever seen an art deco lighthouse!
ReplyDeleteI hope you don't recieve duplicate comments from me. I never gave a thought to the perspective so it really works! This is a beautiful piece and I love the art deco style' which makes this lighthouse very unique.
ReplyDeleteI'm traveling in Scandinavia at the moment with little time to blog.
Hi Manon, thank you for such a sweet compliment!
ReplyDeleteCarol, I just do not have the energy to search for a publisher at this stage of my life, but vaguely hope that someone will one day approach me! Thank you for the lovely comment!
Charlene, I was surprised myself by the beautiful architecture. One can Google: Cape Columbine Lighthouse to see photos of it!
Linda, this is the only lighthouse I know of that is not cylindrical in shape, I loved the red myself, it is such a perfect color to contrast with the sea, sky and rocks!
Mary,Thank you! I think it can also work because this is a really informal painting for a beach house (maybe), it is a happy painting and does not need to make complete sense!
Hi Marie, nice to read about the lighthouse.. you did great justice to the subject you chose, yes , the gulls belong very much to the scene,, however, the beauty is that the flexibility that an artist can have enables to create something doesnt exist, right?
ReplyDeleteMaybe I'm not seeing what you are seeing, Marie. It looks to me like you, the artist, are on the ground and seeing both the lighthouse and the gulls. Where does the birds' eye view come into play? Except maybe the birds are looking at you, the artist? I think it is one glorious painting, truly. One of my favorite light house paintings ever! I love knowing that this lighthouse still aids ships today! I think all lighthouses should continue working and believe they are a stalwart companion to ships. Modern technology can still fail where these lighthouses can still succeed. Gorgeous painting, my friend!
ReplyDeletepadmaja, thank you for that lovely analysis! I find that winter can be very creative (it's winter now in SA) because one doesn't get out all the time and have to use a photo and the monitor.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sherry. Does one see lot of lighthouse paintings in the States? I somehow remember seeing lots of little models of lighthouses.
Who would have thought of an Art Deco lighthouse in Paternoster. How interesting. It's so nice that you recording the history of such an interesting place in your paintings.
ReplyDeleteJean
Hi Marie,
ReplyDeleteI don't know if "a lot" is apt for the number of lighthouse paintings, but I've seen quite a few at least. In fact, several of the artists I follow have done beautiful lighthouse paintings as well. Most recent was Watercolors by Joan (on my blog list), a few posts back. Her style is quite different and her piece was just lovely too! There are still many lighthouses around the U. S., though I couldn't say how many, if any, are still in use.
Jean, you probably missed it on your travels as it is on a remote outcrop of rocks inside the Tietiesbaai Nature Reserve. Thank you for your comments!
ReplyDeleteSherry, I will search for Joan's Lighthouse. Thank you for coming back after my query.