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.

Reflections at St. Marks Lighthouse

My painting of St. Marks Lighthouse.

It was a time for me to reflect before the New Year began. I painted this lighthouse after spending a subdued day in quiet meditation.  In my moments of solitude, I thought of St. Marks Lighthouse. Quietly tucked away on Florida’s gulf coast it is a few miles and a world away from Tallahassee. Away from the hustle bustle of the capital,  Apalachee Bay is a reflection of what Florida is really about. Salt marshes, pine forest, egrets make for a picturesque backdrop. It’s a nature lovers paradise with eagles, alligators, bitterns, ducks, herons, ibises and more. 

A view from St. Marks Lighthouse.

A day from the hustle and bustle of life reminded me what life was really about. 

A lady pauses to take a photo of St. Marks Lighthouse.

The St. Marks Lighthouse recently reopened after being closed for renovations for 6 months. It is the second oldest surviving lighthouse in Florida. It is listed on the National Register. The keeper’s house is attached to the 88 foot tower. 

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Zero Chance of Manatees?

When I purchased my ticket for the Wakulla Springs boat cruise, my only question was “Will I see manatees today.” I love manatees and I had planned this side trip just to see them. But the man at the ticket counter replied there were no reported sightings of manatees for the day. With my hopes somewhat dashed, I purchased my ticket for the 4 pm cruise. After all, the forecasters predicted rain and there had been no rain. Could the manatee forecast be wrong? Zero chance of manatees, I wondered. 

Five minutes into the tour a huge manatee swam beside where I was sitting. I gave out a loud cheer. The guide was startled by the manatee and stopped for photo ops. He said this manatee sighting and a bird piercing a fish would be the highlights of tour. But he like the forecasters, was wrong. For a few minutes later, we watched a mother manatee nurse her calf before they swam away. Then sometime later, we saw a tiny manatee join his older sibling for a swim. Mom was overseeing the brood on the edge of the water nearby.

We had witnessed so many precious moments it was hard to believe that I had seen this all in the course of an hour. Before we ended the cruise, another manatee was sighted. Seven manatees in all. 

At the end the cruise, the captain said he had never seen so many manatees on a cruise during the Spring. I smiled lifting my hands with heartfelt gratitude to the One who had sent manatees and sunshine my way. Zero chance of manatees? Hardly.