The story I posted three days ago about the lighthouse for sale in Sitka, Alaska I found on this website called Completely Coastal. The website is a delightful mix of all things creative which are found by, or taken from the sea.
If you missed the story, click on the photo left to take you to the actual Sitka lighthouse story on my website. A fascinating place to own.
While researching the source of the term offiical navigational aid and the location and price of the home-built lighthouse for sale, I contacted the owner of Completely Coastal. Her name is Maya and she loves designing things from the sea.
Many of the advertisements on the right side of her website are also for products created from the sea. Her blog details in photos and text the creation of many of these products. I just love the driftwood Christmas tree. How many lighthouse keepers will have one of these in future years?
Take a look at her website. Drop a comment or two. Enjoy!
A short while ago I posted a story about 3D lighthouse drawings. It was meant to show what was available in the retail world, but just recently I discovered that even you and I can draw a lighthouse. Well maybe not right away, but with Google’s FREE Sketchup program, which is now in version 8, you can draw real 3D pictures of lighthouses, outbuildings, and even station boats.
Kincardine Lighthouse as shown in Sketchup
Click on the lighthouse photo above left. It is a model of Kincardine Lighthouse which one can see displayed in Google Earth in its exact location. This location is contained in a KMZ file which works with Google Earth.
I came across this article that shows the life on an Australian lighthouse starting in 1971. A wee bit different than Canada I must say.
What got my attention were the requirements for a lighthouse keeper:
The job requirements of a lighthouse keeper were a car licence, an ability to climb to heights and an ability to get along with the other lighthouse keeper . . .
The article is worth reading to illustrate the differences between Canadian and Australian lights (wildlife, for one), plus, on the page is a reference and a link to an ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) website which is exploring some of Australia’s iconic lighthouses.
This new site is called Shining a Light and is an excellent documentary on some of Australia’s lighthouses. The map above shows the lighthouses mentioned.
Alan Giana is an American who paints relaxing, almost fantasy scenes. You may have seen his paintings on many products. To quote his website:
Alan’s paintings of colorful paths, charming country hideaways, tranquil coastal waterways, and captivating Christmas scenes, bring us to peaceful places. Places where we can escape for a moment and appreciate all of the beauty around us.
I came across this item in a sale flyer that came out today. It is a jigsaw puzzle lighthouse in 3D. It is available in many places in Europe, and possibly in America (Canada and USA), although I did not find it in Amazon.ca or Amazon.com. The finished tower is 8.3 cms (3.25″) wide by 35.0 cms (13.5″) high.
The advertising video on the webpage shows it a bit exaggerated I think. To find the videos look to the right of the two small photos on the webpage, and you will find the videos in two blue boxes labelled TV-Spot and Erklärfilm. One of the videos is here – click your mouse on the blue link.
On my old website I made many friends in the art community. One of my favourites was Bill Maximick from whom I purchased a print of his painting Queen of the North. It is a beautiful painting of a beautiful ship which once plied our BC coastal waters from Vancouver to Prince Rupert on the Inside Passage.
“Many West Coast artists specialize in painting with seascapes and marine themes, but few match the public acceptance and acclaim accorded Bill Maximick, particularly from those who know and appreciate boats.”
“Bill’s experience of working many years on tugs, fish boats, and in remote logging camps on British Columbia’s west coast impart powerful feeling and authenticity to his paintings.”
One can feel the power of the sea, and see the beauty of the boats in his paintings. But Bill did not only paint boats, and seascapes – he painted BC lighthouses. Some examples are seen in the album below. To see more paintings, and other services he offers, go to his website – Maximick Originals.
I came across this Alabama, USA Blog website today promoting Christmas ornaments with the theme Christmas on the Coast from Mobile, Alabama. They are very nicely done in brass with 24k gold plating.
March 15, 2014 – I was notified by Ghislain Bonneau today that he is no longer interested in maintaining his website so I have removed all links to his webpage which now no longer exists.
Ghislain Bonneau found my website while looking for photos of BC lighthouses. He is a Canadian painter using oil on canvas as his medium. I love his rendition of the west coast seas. Because of the oil medium, the water looks wet – almost like you could get your hand wet by touching it.
October 03, 2012 – A new painting by Ghislain showing Cox Bay near Tofino, British columbia. In the background left is the Lennard Island lighthouse, a common topic for Ghislain as he lives in the area.
#101 Lennard Island, 30″ x 48″ oil on canvas, 2011
On the left is a painting of Lennard Island lighthouse which is very well done – I think even the lighthouse keeper on Lennard Island would like this one. The viewpoint is a common one in many photos of Lennard Island as it is easily accessible for making photos.
Below is one of many videos that Ghislain has made while on the west coast. This one shows the view towards Lennard Island lighthouse, and a quick view of the lighthouse at the end.
More west coast videos can be seen on his webpage here.
#88 Trial Island, 18″ x 24″, 2007
Another lighthouse painting he has done is of Trial Island, off Victoria, BC. It shows the lighthouse with a heavy bank of cloud behind, early morning sunrise – painted from a photo taken from the golf course.
#90, Trial island, 18″ x 24″, 2007
Another painting of Trial Island. Trial island is right on Ghislain’s doorstep. I like the former painting of Trial a lot better. I find the house in this painting looks like a round Dutch windmill house, rather than the stark, straight-sided, Canadian lighthouse buildings.
#96, Ocean West, Ucluelet, BC
On his website, Ghislain has many other art works besides paintings. Myself, I like the oil paintings best, but you decide. My last contribution to this artist is a painting that I really like. This is where the oil paint makes the water look wet. Love it!
If you see something you like, contact Ghislain Bonneau. He says he is not selling anything right now, but it never hurts to ask.
Amphitrite Point – photo Ghislain Bonneau
The newest painting (2012) from Ghislain is this one of Amphitrite Point lighthouse (automated). I love the lighthouse lantern, the way it is lit from inside without showing the lamp. Well done!
To make the paintings Ghislain takes many photos. A collection of his photos are available here. Please respect his wishes and use them for personal use only. They make lovely screensaver photos.
Back on November 21st of this year I wrote What Ship Is That? to show people how to find out the location of their favourite ship as seen from a lighthouse, a home overlooking the water, or a sightseer on a hilltop. I would have loved to have had something like that on the lighthouses when I was there.
One other thing that always got our attention, especially at night, was the flickering lights of aircraft passing overhead. Many a time I wondered where the plane was coming from, or where it was going. You see, at the time, we ran an aircraft non-directional radio beacon which the planes used for navigation. It was more a check than actual navigation, but they did use it because they passed right over the top of us on the lighthouse, albeit at 30,000 feet! Continue reading What Plane Is That?→
Have you ever sat on a lighthouse, or a wharf, or a high hill and seen a ship in the distance? No radio, too far for binoculars, bad eyesight – “What ship is that?” you wonder.
Wonder no more! The Internet is full of ship tracking programs. Select one to suit your needs. You can find any ship that is required to report, anywhere in the world. I doubt you will find drug smugglers, or such like that. Let me know if you do!
The programs are listed in the order I found them – not in best to worst, etc. You take your pick. Try them all. Let the readers know in the comments section which program you found the best.
For information on how this works and was developed, see this ESRI website.
1. sailwx.infoThis online program is very interesting. It has information on:
Many of the advertisements on the right side of her website are also for products created from the sea. Her blog details in photos and text the creation of many of these products. I just love the driftwood Christmas tree. How many lighthouse keepers will have one of these in future years?
