All posts by Frank

Art, Life Lesson, Painting, Right Action, Understanding

Show Compassion

October 8, 2015 Frank

This painting, “Benefaction” is in acrylic on a 30″ x 48″ wood panel. Frank portrays the challenge of a foggy day for a typical ship in trying to find its way along a rocky and dangerous coast.

It was a very joyful moment to see the light on the shore, while receiving guidance from a friendly sea-bird bringing the ship to the light. This allowed the ship to turn just in time to miss the hidden rocks and certain catastrophe.

May we all show compassion and do what we can to aid others avoid possible disasters that can appear so quickly for any of us.

Art, Compassion, Courage, Life Lesson, Painting, Real Social Networking, Team Work, Wall Mural

A True Friend and Helpful Critic

October 6, 2015 Frank

This is a story about how friendship isn’t always about just liking something one of your friends has done. Frank was commissioned to do a lighthouse mural in a Silicon Valley office, and asked to paint the mural over a weekend to reduce impact on the business. Frank agreed, as long as the wall was prepared with an undercoat on Friday evening after hours, by a professional painter, according to Frank’s specifications and color. That way it would be dry and ready for the art on Saturday morning, which Frank estimated would take the entire weekend, if all went well. The wrinkle is that when Frank showed up Saturday morning to begin, the wall had not been painted. The “pro” didn’t show.

Frank had to get past his emotional response quickly, not wanting someone’s inability to perform block what he had promised to do. So, Frank went out immediately to shop for and find the paint to do the necessary undercoat. The primer coats were done, but the wall was not dry enough to begin the painting until Saturday night. Thinking of how the keeper of the light would work through the night, Frank could not shrink from his promised duty and painted all night, collapsing to nap occasionally on the seats shown in the photo above.

By late Sunday afternoon, Frank thought the mural was done, and called his wife Mary and others to come view the production, and take him home. Everyone raved when they walked in the door, while Mary showed Frank a quizzical look, after studying the mural. Frank knew that look and placed high value as always on Mary’s artistic eye. Taking her aside, she offered her view toward perfection, suggesting to Frank that the perspective on the two windows on the side of the keeper’s house was a bit askew. Frank stood back, a little bleary eyed, refocused, and saw exactly what she had pointed out while others still went on about how cool the painting had turned out. After thanking Mary for her valuable assistance, it took about 15 minutes to paint the correction. Then a smiling Frank, with Mary’s concurrence, declared the lighthouse mural done.

The business owners were very pleased Monday morning when they showed up for work, writing him a generous check, which Frank then shared with his friends in more than one celebration.

So, perhaps it is sometimes good to go beyond just liking something by offering helpful suggestions or comments that can make a difference and improve the outcome of real friendship. May we all be blessed with true friends looking out for our best interests, and may we share our good fortune with all.

Art, Courage, Life Lesson, Painting, Right Action, Technology

Boston Light and Flying Santa

October 1, 2015 Frank

One of our favorite lighthouse traditions is the story of a man who showed uncommon respect for the Light Keepers and their families. Capt. William H. Wincapaw, known as an adventurous and skilled Airman, unknowingly began a tradition in 1929. He was just a guy who wanted to bring holiday cheer to the lighthouse keepers along the East Coast by dropping packages of toys, coffee, shaving supplies, and snacks around Christmas time. He soon became known by the Light Keepers as the Flying Santa. Over the decades the planes and pilots changed, but except for a break during World War II, the practice continues today, now by helicopter.

Frank wanted to pay respect to the tradition and special tribute to the new Airman in the family, his grandson Griffyn. So, the 30” x 24” acrylic on wood panel painting was produced and added to Frank’s lighthouse series. The lighthouse seen in this painting is the Boston Light. This is the site of the first lighthouse built in the United States, dating back to 1716, with the current one in the painting built in 1783. This painting honors those who have shown special care and concern for the all-important Light Keepers, as well as remote Coast Guard outposts.

We thank all those who bless and protect us with their courage.

Art, Painting, Right Action, Right Thinking

Cape Mendocino Light and Virtue

September 28, 2015 Frank

Another lighthouse re-creation painting by Frank is “Cape Mendocino Light” as the original first-order Fresnel lens is now on display elsewhere, replaced by the standard ugly electric beacon. Even the original tower is now gone, misplaced at the entrance to an entertainment center. Frank and Mary visited and sketched the various elements at their current resting places to combine them into the historic perspective presented in the painting.

In this 48” x 30” acrylic on canvas, Frank portrays a time when the original lens was in place, and the full-on effect could be enjoyed along with the setting sun if you were to find your way down the path to the remote location at just the right time.

The Light Keeper has done well, as the light is on before sunset. He is free to enjoy the show as an enlightening experience well-earned by his disciplined work.

Ben Franklin, perhaps the most virtuous of the Founding Fathers of the United States, is often misquoted as saying “Lighthouses are more helpful than churches.” What he really said in a letter to his wife on July 17, 1756 after almost being involved in a shipwreck was, “ Were I a Roman Catholic, perhaps I should on this occasion vow to build a chapel to some saint, but as I am not, if I were to vow at all, it should be to build a light-house.”

Franklin was an inventor, scientist, and statesman. Among Franklin’s inventions was the beginning of the American society. Franklin led a life based on virtue, something almost totally lost on today’s entertainment based culture. Perhaps the pendulum will swing back toward the virtue of caring about others at least as much as we care about ourselves for starters.

No matter if you agree with good old practical Ben’s values, a good practice is repeating useful actions, like a Light Keeper at the same time every day, faithfully…as others might be counting on you.

Even if there are obstacles in your way, or others try to block your path, just get out there and do the right thing anyway. Most likely there will be those who will value and appreciate what you do. But, even if you are alone on your journey, it is your journey after all, so you have the power to make the right choices and find joy in those actions.

Art, Courage, Painting, Right Action

Racing the Storm at Pigeon Point

September 26, 2015 Frank

If you Google “lighthouse in a storm” and then select the art category along the top, you’ll probably find an image of Frank’s Pigeon Point Lighthouse painting from one of the sites displaying his work near the top of the results. Pigeon Point is probably the most photographed lighthouse on the west coast due to its classic shape.

You can see the lighthouse driving along California Highway 1, 20 miles south of Half Moon Bay and 27 miles north of Santa Cruz. Heck, you don’t even have to leave your car, or even slow down to snap a picture of this beauty…such a shame. You should have to walk to enjoy this kind of setting…all the cars just ruin the effect of this cathedral.

Frank painted this work both “plein air” at the site on a sunny day, and then back in his studio for the storm effects. (You can click-through the picture to get a more detailed view.) Frank’s landscape teacher thought the painting too dark to become popular.

When traveling the Pacific coast, Frank and Mary were struck by the stories of lighthouse keepers, and their dedication to working the lights to protect the lives of people traveling along the treacherous shores.

This 48″ x 30″ acrylic on canvas painting “Racing the Storm at Pigeon Point” above is part of a series of lighthouse paintings by Frank. In this series, he re-creates settings from over 100 years ago, when the lights were critical life savers, while including some contemporary views and stories as well.

There were no electronics to guide the ships. The critical mechanics of the lights were driven by weights, pulleys, and gears. The Light Keepers kept the lights burning with oil and kerosene before electricity, sending beams of light over twenty miles out to sea. A daily practice of hard work by the Light Keepers was absolutely critical to keep a light working.

Frank has found his painting copied on other sites and even used in a YouTube video…but he is OK with that, as long as those that use his work share their profit from it with him.

Today, we should show our greatest respect to those who labor to make things of value to our lives, and treat them with fairness.

Art, Painting

Respecting…Others (Part 2)

September 25, 2015 Frank

In a re-creation painting of Point Sur Light (24″ x 18″ acrylic on stretched canvas) Frank honors the way the Point Sur Lightstation would have looked over 100 years ago when a first-order Fresnel lens guided the ships at sea. Today, a much less glamorous electric beacon guides the way. The original beacon is housed in the Maritime Museum of Monterey. The 580 glass prisms of the historic Fresnel lens from the Point Sur Lightstation illustrate just one of the regular chores of the Light Keepers, as they needed to keep them polished and cleaned of the salt air, to effectively shine the burning beacon of light 20 miles out to sea.

In the painting Frank puts Del, the docent featured in yesterday’s post, out enjoying the light of day and the swooping sea birds frolicking above the surf.

These times of solitary reflection and enjoyment of the surroundings were really quite rare. If you are interested in the amazing details of the Light Keeper’s job requirements, check this out: http://www.lighthousefriends.com/Instructions%20for%20lightkeepers.pdf The language in use is quite entertaining…enjoy and perhaps gain some extra respect for the work these technicians performed throughout their days and nights.

Blessings and respect to all who serve and protect.

Art, Courage, Emerging Tech, Painting, Right Thinking

Respecting the Vital Work of Others

September 24, 2015 Frank

This painting titled “Light Keeper” (oil and acrylic on canvas 24″ x 18″) is a portrait of a modern-day docent, Del, at the Point Sur Lighthouse in California. Apart from the cap he was wearing and his portrait, the rest is Frank’s researched imagination.

The drill for the Light Keeper over 100 years ago was to have the big light on a half hour before sunset, and keep it going until a half hour after sunrise. This painting depicts him running to make his appointed time with the setting sun.

It took a dedicated person to keep a lighthouse flame going so it would project its lifesaving light 20 miles out to sea. Light Keepers were highly respected by most for their critical, yet lonely work. Often isolated far away from busy towns, they would sometimes work through the night to keep the light burning and the emerging technology of gears and pulleys functioning to turn the massive lens shining its distinctive light code, revealing a specific place.

Keeping the light burning and the hundreds of lens prisms polished, was a very disciplined and courageous practice. It may seem romantic, being at the seashore and all, but the reality is that some of the Light Keepers went over the edge, either figuratively or literally, while fulfilling their lonely duties. Some landlubbers on the shore just took the Light Keeper’s work for granted, even scoffing at their value or disrespecting their lifestyle.

The captains and crews of the vessels plying the coastal waters had great respect for the unseen Light Keepers. These traders and builders of commerce showed their support for those protecting them from unseen dangers. It would have been unheard of to demean their vital work or cast aspersions on their lives.

Today, we all should show proper respect and consideration to those who labor to make our lives better. We need to give appropriate consideration to those who serve us with their skills, seeking to protect and serve those in danger, lest shame fall on us for being thoughtless and inconsiderate.

Art, Life Lesson, Painting

Sand Castles and New Horizons

September 21, 2015 Frank

The picture is from an original painting by Frank, titled “Sand Castles and New Horizons” (18″ x 30″ acrylic on wood panel). You can click on the picture for a larger version.

Frank’s two grandchildren, Griffyn and Alyssa posed for the painting when they were still children twelve years ago. Griffyn is now (September 2015) with the United States Air Force and Alyssa is a senior in high school. Gracy, their mother, is responsible for teaching the values and principles illustrated in the painting.

The lighthouse is the Old Charleston (Morris Island) lighthouse in South Carolina, built in 1876. It is the third tower to occupy that space, the first built in 1767. The poignancy of this fleeting moment of childhood is echoed in the old tower, with its outdated technology and the encroaching sea. And yet it still stands, proud, battered, the stories of lives redeemed written in every brick. It serves as a model for the children learning of its history and following their mother’s instructions to work together and share. This is not an easy lesson to learn and practice daily in our interaction with others, but critical if we are to advance as a civilized world.

May you have peace and joy in the future as you live by the solid values of the past, sharing your good fortune with others.

Art, Drawing, Understanding

A Sailor’s Dream

September 21, 2015 Frank

In this first sketch of Frank’s lighthouse series, he was looking to illustrate different points of view around the initial intended function of lighthouses over 100 years ago.

In this 28” x 18” pastel on illustration board, Frank wonders what it would be like for a sailor at sea for months. Would he dream about seeing a light? Would he trust his eyes or think it a vision when finally seeing a light?

This week, we will explore some of Frank’s lighthouse art and share meanings we can reflect on today. Thank you for stopping by!

Art, Life Lesson, Painting, Right Thinking

Reflection

September 18, 2015 Frank

The painting above (approx. 20” diam. acrylic on wood) was created by Frank for another of his patrons, a world-renowned landscape artist, and art collector. The name of the painting is “Reflection Lake” and presents the favorite view from within the wildlife refuge the landscape artist developed.

Reflection is key element within a healthy life affirming practice. As the stillness of the water improves the clarity of the reflected image of what exists nearby, the stillness of our mind improves the image we reflect within our mind of the reality around us.

Frank Kliewer