30 in 30, Day 4: “Light in the Darkness”

One fears not the dark,
nor the storm’s raging seas,
when the Light guides.

Day 4: Light in the Darkness

Lighthouses fascinate me. Why? I can’t truly say. Is it how they are unafraid to stand taller than everything else around them? Is it that they tirelessly work, in spite of the weather—especially in the fiercest weather? Is it that the more I learn about them, the more unique each one of them becomes to me? Did you know that a mariner can identify a lighthouse by the pattern of the flashing of light? Each light has its own unique signal, so that sailors can tell where they are when they have lost their way in starless and moonless night. The structures themselves each look different as well. The one featured here is a loose rendition of the Bodie Island Lighthouse in Outer Banks, North Carolina. Many people recognize the famous Hatteras Light by its diagonal black stripes on a white background.

Perhaps what fascinates me the most about lighthouses is that they come about as close as any man-made structure can to representing what God does for us in lighting our path and protecting us from harm. They are still subject to human error, though less so now than they were several decades ago. But nevertheless, these beacons shine as lights of hope in a dark sky, averting what would otherwise be almost certain death for many. They are not meant to show the way in the open seas, but near the rocky shores, where the danger lies.

Our great God does the same for you and me. He does not show us the entire path, but He faithfully lights every step along the way so that we may see and avoid the immediate danger.

Proverbs 3:26  For the LORD shall be your confidence, and shall keep your foot from being taken.

Psalm 112:4  Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness: He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.

Psalm 18:28  For You will light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.

For Leslie Saeta’s September 30-in-30 challenge, I am creating greeting cards, but each week I’ll experiment with a different medium and/or technique. This week’s focus is single line art, in which I attempt to draw a picture, based on one of my photos, without lifting the pen from the paper. First, I practice in my sketch book, then repeat the drawing on a blank card. Next, I add a splash of color with soft pastel, seal it all with fixative, and finish it off with a simple message typed on an old typewriter.

Today, as yesterday, my intention was to complete the drawing before work and post it after dinner. However, when I was making what was to be my final drawing, I inadvertently blackened the wrong parts of the lighthouse, so I decided to start over. But that would have to wait until after work. When I was able to return to my studio, I made a new drawing, but a fresh look at the mess-up told me it wasn’t all that bad. In fact, it looks to me like a close-up of the top portion of a lighthouse, so I decided to keep it. Now I have two lighthouse cards. Yay! So much the better. The verses and poems are the same, but I chose two different colors for the splash. Also, as an afterthought, I decided to color in the lights on both cards (yellow), but did not think it worth taking another set of photos. You may see them on Instagram, however—if I ever get around to posting there.

My first attempt to draw a lighthouse. It “flopped,” but not too badly.

About Single Line Art

I learned this technique while clicking on the links of others in the 30-in-30 challenge this past Saturday. Amy from Water Ink & Ribbon was the artist who introduced this cool technique to me. Have you clicked over to her page yet? If not, what are you waiting for?

Have a wonderful week!