Secret Story: The Lighthouse
‘The Lighthouse’ Art Nouveau inspired femme portrait by Kirstie Page
I recently had the absolute privilege of meeting a special lady recently, Maria. This amazing woman has endured absolute heartbreak by losing one of her children. My aunty (who lost a child herself) once told me “You never get over the grief, you just learn to live with it”. I think truer words have never been said.
Maria has channelled her grief by setting up a special children’s charity called the White Bear Foundation, whose mission is “to build children’s self-esteem by education the community through workshops and presentations”. She really is a special person.
Anyway, Maria and I were having a chat one sunny, Saturday afternoon when she suddenly asked me whether I had ever painted lighthouses. I was intrigued. I hadn’t really. Out of genuine curiosity I asked her why.
She told me that lighthouses were special to her because they stand strong, shining steady, bright light even in the most turbulent weather. The imagery and symbolism really resonated with me. I couldn’t get the concept out of my head. I was reading a few weeks later when I discovered the following quote:
‘Is the beam from a lighthouse affected by howling wind and rain? It remains perfectly steadfast and unaffected by the storm. Your true self is like that. Nothing can ever harm you once you are consciously aware that it is so.’ Vernon Howard
In that moment this lighthouse artwork was born. I realised Maria was right, we could all be a lighthouse. My femme is calm, steady, reassuring. She emits beautiful light from a crown that is reminiscent of the rays of light from a lighthouse tower.
Waratah flowers were included because they literally mean "beautiful" and also "seen from a distance". Perfect. Dragonflies fly freely, reminding us that we are adaptable and able to transform. Finally, circles represent eternity, perfect, totality, wholeness and cyclic movement.
A lot has been happening lately and it's easy to feel like we're right in the eye of a storm. Instead of wondering about the chaos that seems to abound, instead I’m going to invite you to join me in envisaging a lighthouse. Strong. Constant. Showing us the way to safety.
About Kirstie Page
Kirstie Page is an Australian mixed media and enamel artist, classically trained musician and former dementia trainer with experience working on the front line in aged care. Kirstie creates beautifully uplifting artworks that incorporate her understanding of science and dementia to provide comfort and joy to people, including those living with dementia and other health conditions.