Children saved a lighthouse and now you can too

Jeffrey’s Hook Lighthouse known fondly as “The Red Lighthouse”, is only 40 feet high.

The iconic Jeffrey’s Hook lighthouse, NY rose to fame due to the popularity of the book “The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge” by Hildegarde W. Swift and Lynd Ward. This story was so compelling that it inspired hundreds of children to write letters that saved the lighthouse. I love books that inspire children to make a difference. 

The lighthouse is located underneath the George Washington Bridge along the treacherous section of the Hudson River once known as Jeffrey’s Hook. The 1880 lighthouse at Fort Washington Park, is one of the few surviving lighthouses in New York City.  Because of the children, although deactivated the lighthouse remains as a symbol of hope. 

Get FREE shipping Black Friday through Cyber Monday on my Paint the Parks page. 

St. Marks Lighthouse is located at St. Marks Wildlife Refuge, Florida.

When you buy art on my Paint the Parks page 10% of your purchase is donated to the Friends of St. Marks Wildlife Refuge. The friends group is a 501 (c) non profit corporation. All (100%) of your contributions go to support St. Marks Lighthouse and Refuge programs and projects. Join me in Paint the Parks effort to conserve nature for the enjoyment and benefit of present and future generations. 
elainearieartist.com

Nourish your spirit and reconnect with Nature

Egmont Key Lighthouse is located at Egmont Key Wildlife Preserve near Tampa, Florida.

According to the National Wildlife Refuge, “there is at least one Refuge in each state and one within a one hour’s drive of most major cities” offering a peaceful, accessible and welcome retreat. 

St. Marks Wildlife Refuge in Florida is a habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife.

The National Wildlife Refuge System is a national network of lands and waters set aside to conserve fish, wildlife and plants in the United States. More than 700 species of birds, 220 species of mammals, 250 reptiles and amphibian species, and more than 200 species of fish are found within Wildlife Refuges. 

For more information on visiting or finding a Wildlife Refuge near you, visit ExploreWildlifePreserve.

elainemarieartist.com

Take A Hike

St. Marks is located at St. Marks Wildlife Preserve 30 miles south of Tallahassee, Florida.

Today is National Take A Hike Day. Visit your favorite park and enjoy the great outdoors. Check out my Paint the Parks page for a list of parks with lighthouses.

During a hike at St. Mark Wildlife Refuge, you may see deer, wild turkeys, owls, amphibians, reptiles and more. Enjoy a scenic breathtaking view of Florida’s wetland and outdoor recreation. Established in 1931, St. Marks is a habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife. During a hike, you may see deer, wild turkeys, owls, amphibians, reptiles and more. 

Portland Breakwater Lighthouse is located at Bug Light Park in South Portland, Maine.

Save a park and lighthouse. When you buy art on my Paint the Parks page 10% of your purchase is donated to the Friends of St. Marks Wildlife Refuge. 

elainemarieartist.com

Save Green while going Green

Explore the quaint seaside town of Tarpon Springs, before catching a tour boat to Anclote Key.

When I painted the Anclote Key Lighthouse, I thought about the signs that I had read along the nature trail leading there. They warned that Florida’s natural habitat was being endangered by invasive erotics. These erotics threaten the vibrant ecosystem that supports some of Florida’s great wildlife, such as manatees, sea turtles and shore birds. This inspired me to used green in the painting to symbolize Florida’s lush natural habitat and to add a few palms trees that were prevalent on the tropical island near Tampa, Florida. 

Anclote is the Spanish word for anchor. The Anclote Key Lighthouse was built in 1887. The tower was fabricated in the north and shipped to the island. It took just three months to assemble it.

St. Marks Lighthouse is located at St. Marks Wildlife Preserve, Florida.

Save a park and lighthouse. Buy a print of Anclote Key Lighthouse and other prints on my Paint the Parks page; 10% of your purchase is donated to the Friends of St. Marks Wildlife Refuge. The friends group is a 501 (c) non profit corporation. All (100%) of your contributions go to support Refuge programs and projects. Join me in Paint the Parks effort to conserve nature for the enjoyment and benefit of present and future generations. For more information, visit my website at elainemarieartist.com. 

Art with A Purpose

Often ranked as one of the top 10 beaches in the US, Cape Florida State Park has it all. Palm trees offer an idyllic setting for kayaking, swimming & exploring nature. The iconic Cape Florida Lighthouse is the oldest structure in South Florida.

“Purposeful and Playful” that’s how a lady characterized my art during my “Voices of Lighthouses” aboard the Lilac Preservation Project in Manhattan, New York. 

I’m so happy she understood the heart of my art…”Purposeful and Playful.” I try my best to promote the preservation of lighthouses in a playful manner. Lighthouse preservation is serious business. But it feels good to help promote such a worthy cause. 

Enjoy a scenic breathtaking view of Florida’s wetland and outdoor recreation at St. Marks National Refuge on the Gulf Coast. Established in 1931, St. Marks is a habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife.

My partnership with Paint the Parks is a great opportunity to help a worthy cause. Donations benefit St Marks Lighthouse and St. Marks Wildlife Preserve on Florida’s gulf coast. Ten percent of the purchase of all art on my website’s Paint the Parks page goes to the non profit Friends of St. Marks Wildlife Refuge. For more details, check out my Paint the Parks page at elainemarieartist.com. To learn more about Paint the Parks, visit painttheparks.com.

Save a park and a lighthouse while saving money

St. Marks Lighthouse is Florida’s second oldest lighthouse.

Join me in Paint the Parks effort to conserve nature for the enjoyment and benefit of present and future generations. Save money for a good cause; I’ve discounted prices for the holidays. 
When you buy lighthouse art on my Paint the Parks page 10% of your purchase is donated to the Friends of St. Marks Wildlife Refuge. The friends group is a 501 (c) non profit corporation. All (100%) of your contributions go to support Refuge programs, projects and St. Marks Lighthouse. 
St. Marks Lighthouse is the second oldest lighthouse surviving in Florida. The keeper’s house is attached to the 88 foot tower constructed in 1831. It is on the National Register of Historic Sites. Recently restored to its former glory, St. Marks Lighthouse reopened to the public in September 2018 and in October a relighting ceremony was held on its 88th birthday. Your donations help continue the preservation efforts at St. Marks Lighthouse.  

elainemarieartist.com

Tough Breaks

The Portland Breakwater Lighthouse was built after the breakwater was constructed. Normally a breakwater is built with a lighthouse. A breakwater is built to protect a coastline or inner harbor. Ironically, this breakwater became a navigational hazard to mariners sailing into the Portland Harbor. The first lighthouse was wooden and was built to warn mariners of the hazard. The current lighthouse built in 1874 replaced the decayed wooden structure. 

The Portland Breakwater Lighthouse or Bug Light is inspired by the beautiful Greek Choragic Monument of Lysicrates. It is a magnificent and unique edifice. Once the site of shipbuilding during WWII, Bug Light Park where the lighthouse is located, offers a host of outdoor recreation. 

Save big and join me in conserving a park and a lighthouse. 

I am donating 10% of the proceeds from the purchase of Bug Light and other art on my Paint the Parks page to the Friends of St. Marks Wildlife Refuge. The friends group is a 501 (c) non profit corporation. All (100%) of your contributions go to support Refuge programs and projects. 

Help protect our natural resources. Paint the Parks endeavors to conserve nature for the enjoyment and benefit of present and future generations. 

To see more of the art on my Paint the Parks page, visit my website elainemarieartist.com

An Island Fit For A King

Tory Island, Ireland has the distinction of having a resident, King. Besides greeting visitors, I’m not sure what his official duties are. The King of Tory rules over a small and quaint kingdom with over 130 people.  

Residents of Tory are proud of their Irish heritage. They speak Gaeltacht an ancient Irish dialect and live in a traditional village. There is a Bell Tower hailing back to the 12th century. We spent two enjoyable days on beautiful Tory Island during John Eagle’s lighthouse tour.  

After a brief ferry ride, we met the Tory Lighthouse light keeper at the Tory Hotel. We checked into our rooms then headed to the lighthouse. The Tory Island Lighthouse was established August 1, 1832.

Once at the lighthouse, we toured the grounds and posed for group pictures.

Afterwards, our group rode to the outskirts of town for a sunset tour. We witnessed a spectacular view of the mountains and the ocean.

We finally headed back to the hotel after our evening tour. From my room, I had a glimpse of the Tory Lighthouse. Before turning in for the night, I paused and watched the flashing lighthouse beam sparkle against the dreamy, dark sky.

Stop by Island Realty 667 Kingsley Avenue to see my painting of Tory Lighthouse and other art by members of the Art Guild of Orange Park.

elainemarieaustin.com

Open House New York: Experience, explore and enjoy

Kids enjoy free storytelling at the Lilac Preservation Project at Pier 25.

Meet and greet the people who design, build and preserve New York. Explore more than 250 sites across New York City. Enjoy tours, talks, performances and more. Open House New York starts October 18 and concludes October 20.

During Open House New York, visit the National Lighthouse Museum and the US Coast Guard Cutter Lilac and more.

The Lilac is America’s only steam powered lighthouse tender.

The Lilac Preservation Project kicks off the weekend with Open House New York for Kids, October 19, 2-6 pm. Get signed copies of an Art Deco coloring book inspired by New Yorker and preservationist Barbara Capitman. Join in on the fun with the “Little Red Lighthouse” free storytelling and art activities for children. Open House New York continues at the Lilac October 20, 2-6 pm. Don’t miss the Voices of Lighthouses exhibit on view during the Lilac’s Open House.

Jam for a good cause at the Beacon of Hope’s Harbor Jamm on October 20, 12-5:30 pm. Experience live entertainment, food vendors and a classic car show at the National Lighthouse Museum. Come support and celebrate recovery during this drug awareness event.

Learn about the female lightkeeper’s at New Dorp Lighthouse, Staten Island.

October 20 is the last day to see “Shattering the Lens” at the National Lighthouse Museum. The exhibit sheds light on the dynamic impact of female lighthouse keepers. It is inspired by the book “Women Who Kept the Lights” by Mary Louise Clifford and J. Candace Clifford.

elainemarieartist.com

Florida’s Apalachee Bay 

On the way to St. Marks Lighthouse I stopped by Wakulla Springs. For years I wanted to go to Wakulla to see the manatees. On the day of my arrival, I was told no manatees had been sighted. Still I purchased a ticket on the boat tour. Much to my delight a huge manatee swam beside me a few seconds after the tour began. Before the end of the tour, I saw 6 more manatees including 3 calves. 
The next day I headed to St. Marks. Once I arrived at St. Marks I realized I should have stayed at Crawfordville. Despite the name, Crawfordville is very lively and has much to offer like dining, shopping and pleasant hotels. There’s little see or do in St. Marks for landlubbers and the lodgings are subpar.  
After spending the night at a Bed and Breakfast Inn, I headed to St. Marks Wildlife Refuge. Besides the lighthouse, the Refuge has picnic areas, a beach, a welcome center and gift shop. I enjoyed a scenic and quiet drive to the lighthouse. The salt marsh, pine forest, egrets made for a picturesque backdrop. It’s a nature lovers paradise with eagles, alligators, bitterns, ducks, herons, ibises and more. 
The St. Marks Lighthouse recently reopened after being closed for renovations for 6 months. It is the second oldest lighthouse surviving in Florida. It is listed on the National Register. The keeper’s house is attached to the 88 foot tower.