Randall Peterson, one of the most well known pointillism
artists in the world, has donated an original work of Maine’s Rockland
Breakwater Lighthouse to the Wells based American Lighthouse Foundation
to assist the non profit organization in their fund raising efforts to
save lighthouses and
Artist Randall Peterson
the history associated with them.
In addition to donating the Rockland print, valued at $1,500.00, Peterson
donated 8,000 bookmarks that comprise a set of eight different lighthouses,
also depicted in pointillism art. The set of eight bookmarks
Rockland Breakwater pointillism print
donated by artist Randall Peterson
to benefit restoration efforts.
feature Rockland Breakwater
Lighthouse, Portland Head Lighthouse, Cape Neddick “Nubble” Lighthouse,
and West Quoddy Lighthouse all of which are in Maine. The other
lighthouses featured are: Split Rock Lighthouse in Minnesota, Newport
Harbor Lighthouse in Rhode Island, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in North
Carolina and Avery Point Lighthouse in CT.
As well as donating the bookmarks, Peterson, has given the American
Lighthouse Foundation the rights to reproduce as many additional bookmarks
as they wish for future fundraising efforts.
Peterson, a Minnesota native, first met Tim Harrison, president of the
American Lighthouse Foundation, a number of years ago while on a visit to
Maine and was impressed with what the lighthouse preservation group was
accomplishing under Harrison’s leadership. Inspired by what he learned about
the American Lighthouse Foundation, Peterson decided to join the
organization. He later donated an original work of Maine’s Nubble Lighthouse
to the lighthouse group, which they raffled off as fundraiser.
Peterson said he has watched the tireless efforts of Harrison and the many
other volunteers who contributed to the amazing growth of the
American Lighthouse Foundation over the
years and wanted to do more to help the group. He went on by saying,
“It’s an organization that works hard to communicate and bring public
awareness through the media as well as spending countless hours of
fund-raising for restoration projects, including the many
Mr. Peterson donated bookmarks that
comprise a set of eight different
lighthouses,
also depicted in pointillism art.
projects where their volunteers actually do much of the hands on work
themselves.”
Harrison said, “We are honored and excited about Mr. Peterson’s donations.
This is one of the many forms of contributions that organizations like ours
require to help raise needed funds as well as to draw public attention to
our efforts, which in turn will make us successful.”
French artist Georges Seurat first introduced pointillism, which is also
referred to as stippling, in the late 1800s. Peterson’s artistic style
consists of applying dots of ink to a white piece of illustration board
using a .000 Rapidograph technical pen. This style of pointillism is a very
delicate process with very little room for error. Once the ink is applied,
Peterson is committed to the results. Tones and shadowing are based on the
position of the dots applied. Fewer dots, the lighter the area and by adding
more dots he creates a darker or shadowed area.
Some of the other lighthouses that Peterson has created through his
pointillism include Old Point Loma in California, Amelia Island in Florida,
Raspberry Island, Michigan Island, Sand Island and Outer Island in
Wisconsin, the harbor lights in Duluth, Minnesota, and Fort Niagara, Dunkirk
and Buffalo lights in New York.
In speaking of this artwork Peterson says, “I believe that with the
deterioration of many of our beautiful historic structures, such as
lighthouses, we need, as a society, to understand the magnitude of the loss
of these structures once they are gone. It is vital that we preserve our
history and bring awareness, something I hope to help achieve through my
artwork.”
Just exactly what the American Lighthouse Foundation will do with the
Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse artwork has not yet been decided. However,
Bob Trapani, Jr., Executive Director of the American Lighthouse Foundation
has indicated that the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse print will probably be
raffled off later this year to benefit the groups ongoing preservation
efforts. The bookmarks will be utilized as part of a donation incentive in
an upcoming fundraiser mailing.
The public can learn more about Peterson’s artwork by visiting his web site
at
. To learn more about the American Lighthouse
Foundation you can write us at ALF, P.O. Box 889, Wells, Maine 04090 or by
EMAIL. You may also contact us at 207-646-0245.
