deserted beach was lovely. Huge flocks of
seabirds flew when I approached. Tiny sanderlings
raced the waves, keeping their feet dry was they
fed along the wet sand. The Range Light stood tall
in the thick waving sea oats and the wind made
music in the Australian pines. What a delightful
place!
Near the end of the road were two huge oil
tanks. A huge phosphate dock jutted out into the
bay, no longer in use. Now it was a popular
gathering place for pelicans and gulls. On past
some small houses and a tiny church stood the
second lighthouse. It also was closed and boarded
up and badly in need of repair. There were no
stairs so I couldn't peek in. The water swirled just
a few feet away ready to tear at the stout piling
underpinnings. The island had a wild look, but
lovely. I knew then that someday I HAD to make this
my home.
It was not until 1980 that I was able to return. My
husband and I began to attend the Methodist Church
and found people so friendly and welcoming. There
was only one art gallery on a side street; I just knew
a small gallery of my own would make it. We were
able to rent the back half of our present building
and Smart Studio was begun. My husband did framing
and I was the resident island artist!
I painted everything, including the railroad buildings
and the last train. The fishermen, lighthouses, flowers,
local buildings and of course Whidden’s, and the
beautiful beach became my inspiration. It was necessary
to buy new colors for my palette. Bougainvillea
was a distinct rose color and the aqua of the Gulf
was unlike Maine waters.
Over the years we have seen our island develop,
growing with every year. Property values soared. The
town has prospered as well as the gallery. As new
homes were built, demand for art increased: It is a
mixed blessing. We gain but also lose. Business has
increased but painting subjects have decreased. No
longer can we drive on the beach at the deserted
north end and paint a scene in every direction.
Nearly all lots are private. The mullet boards are gone
as well as most of the fish houses on the waterway.
Buildings are all “picture perfect.”
November/December 2017 GASPARILLA ISLAND 45