Sunday, February 17, 2008


Alright, here's the story. On the other side of the narrows, past the two foot drop where the currents meet, past the thirty foot whirlpool, its as calm as a mill pond. During prohibition some comedian built this house with three stories and his version of a light house. There were logging camps all up and down the coast and fishermen everywhere. Since the cops wouldn't bother going past the maritime hazzards, the setting was perfect for booze and women for rent. Navigation through the narrows at high tide was risky business but highly rewarding whether you were buying or selling. Rum runners did it and brought the women with them. The loggers and fishermen came in from the north and some braved the narrows from the south. Either way they managed to frequent the Logger's Maritime Motel. They came in one lung Easthope double enders, fishboats, cruisers, tugboats, skiffs, runabouts, canoes, rowboats, whatever they could manage. The light was a hollow welded lantern with a glass orb on top. Below the "lantern" was a round room with a fire pit that provided the light and warmth for customers seeking seclusion (however well illuminated). You could see it a long way off and everybody knew what it meant. It lasted through the depression, coast guard patrols shut it down at the start of WW2. They hauled the customers off and nobody went back for anything. You can see strange lighting at dusk, things glowing...maybe its just the sun at a certain angle... Blast for exploded view.

27 comments:

BoneDaddy said...

I love the winding stairs. It's a subtle part to the picture, but it adds something slightly mystical to the nautical.

Michelle said...

I always like the seagulls in your paintings. The swirly staircase is pretty, too. Your paintings always seem to tell a story.

Ron Morrison said...

Thanks Grimm,the winding stairway just seemed to fit, a little counterpoint.

Ron Morrison said...

Thanks Michelle, I probably should have told the stories earlier, I just never thought of it.

Billie Crain said...

i agree about the staircase. very nice touch and well done! not sure what i enjoyed most, the painting or the story.

Ron Morrison said...

Thanks Billie, I can do the stories quite easily being generally full of baloney.

bj said...

Keep the stories coming! A good story helps 'tell' the painting - and vice/versa. As always, your paintings are wonderful, colour-filled expressions of yourself.

Ron Morrison said...

Thanks B.J., I guess the stories are inspired by the paintings and vice versical....I don't know which.

About said...

Well once again, I can't see the baloney...but there is so much else to see, I don't really miss it. The story is great, the light house is fun, the house is wonderfully fanciful,and I think I can see that eerie glow you mentioned...
These folks related to your happy medium?
Love it!

Ron Morrison said...

Thanks Tracy, loggers and women of the evening or night or whenever is the common thread. I think the logger that visited the Happy Medium was intimately acquainted with the "Light House" brothel/speakeasy. Or at least the legend of it.

Ron Morrison said...

And glass orbs...

Cara said...

What a wonderful story - you ought to write book and illustrate it yourself.

The painting is great - I love the stairs but I really like the light in the window -

Ron Morrison said...

Thanks Cara, I'm an idiot savant without the savant part.

About said...

Oh yes and the orbs...very nice orbs.

DarkWing said...

Really enjoyed the story. Looks like an intriguing place. I also think the stairs make the painting :)

William K. Moore said...

Great painting Ron.. and narration. Cloudy days are my favorite .. with a mist or light drizzle. The boats really lead the eye into the house nicely. Makes me want to put on a smoking jacket and sit down to a nice hot cocoa (marshmallow) as I place my feet the right distance from the fire.

Ron Morrison said...

Thanks N.N., the stairs were just a bit of silliness on top of more goofiness, but around here you never can tell...

Ron Morrison said...

Thanks W.K., feet to the fire, yes I know the feeling...

Clive said...

Fantastic new posts, Ron. The Voyager below is my favourite; it's monumental, and the gritty look is super in all. This one is embellished by the story as well. A treat to visit after some time away.

Ron Morrison said...

Thanks Clive, just foolin around with the paint.

Joan said...

Fun story and wonderful painting! I love that lighthouse-looking building. The winding staircase is so great! It looks like everyone has come over for a good time.

Ron Morrison said...

Thanks Joan, playing, playing....

DarkWing said...

hey Ron. I gave you an award on my post today. No meme or other catches. (i'm linking as I go around so if it aint up it will be in a minute)

sandy said...

Ron, as usual this is SO beautiful.

I got so busy in the last few months with grandkids that I neglected to get around these parts. I'm glad for the "rediscovery"...

p.s. thanks for your visit, comment and link.

sandy

p.s. I'll be back regularly.

sandy said...

p.ss..wow on that house!!!!

s

Ron Morrison said...

Thanks Sandy, I missed your cheery comments.

Madison Moore said...

Ahhhh...and along with the always beautiful paintings, the stories are getting better. GREAT!!!