Status of Original Painting – For Sale

All prices are in Canadian dollars

Size: 13.25 x 20  inches

Price: Inquire

Medium: Watercolour on 300 lb Arches

Description:

This 14 metre lighthouse was built in 1871 atop a cliff on Ferryland Head, a long peninsula situated about halfway between Cape Spear and Cape Race in Newfoundland. The original red stone and brick tower suffered the ravages of lashing winds and rain, with bricks and mortar needing to be replaced every year. In 1892 the tower was encased in steel and it has stoutly withstood the elements ever since. The lighthouse is still active but automated with its light flashing every six seconds; the last lightkeeper “Billy” Costello finished his 31-year tour of duty in 1970. It became a Federal Heritage Site in 1991.

Since 2003, the lighthouse has been a popular site for organized picnic lunches, which must be reserved well in advance. It’s a 25 minute walk uphill from the parking area, across the long peninsula, to reach the lighthouse building where you receive your picnic basket. And then you can sit on the rocky cliffsides or at one of the picnic tables, and enjoy a great view of ocean, whales, and seabirds. Several inukshuks stand below the lighthouse, overlooking the ocean. It’s also a great place to hike, provided you are wary of steep drops toward water and rocks below.

Nearby is the town of Ferryland, a fishing community with a population around 400. It is currently the site of an archeological dig that is unearthing the ruins of the Colony of Avalon, which was established in 1621 by Lord Calvert (the first Lord Baltimore).

I’ve painted several scenes from around Ferryland over the years, including “Ferryland,” “Triumvirate,” “Farilham,” and “Bald View.” The first two are available as limited edition prints.