Urban Oasis: The Anchor Holds

"The Anchor Holds", 16"wx20"h, $250

This painting from my June 2012 show titled Urban Oasis at Jitter's Coffee in Duluth features a familiar anchor located in Canal Park, Duluth. I've walked past this anchor hundreds of times, but one day I stopped and looked at the lighthouse in the distant pier and moved so that it was centered in the composition. I then enjoyed viewing the anchor and lighthouse together, and just had to paint them. Both elements can be thought of as safety for people on ships ... especially in storms. The anchor could keep a ship from being smashed on the rocks ... the lighthouse could guide a ship through rocky waters. The line of rocks in the midst of this composition is a reminder of how important these items are to those who are at sea. To tourists, they are friendly landmarks of a port city, to the artist they are elements of a composition that play off each other .. what do they mean to you?