Seaside Painting Appraisal

Coastal Lighthouse Landscape Painting by Lorie Leahy

This is an acrylic on canvas landscape painting, approximately 16 inches by 20 inches, depicting a serene coastal scene. The central focus is a distinct red lighthouse situated at the end of a long, dark pier or jetty extending into a calm, blue-green body of water, likely an ocean or large lake. The sky above is partially cloudy with patches of bright blue showing through the soft grey and white clouds, suggesting an overcast but not stormy day. In the foreground, there is a sandy beach with subtle undulations, indicating dunes. Sparse, dark, bare trees or shrubs are visible on a darker patch of land, possibly a higher dune or embankment, transitioning to the beach. Closer to the viewer, there is a low, rustic wooden fence, partially buried in the sand, alongside clumps of reddish-brown sea grass or dune grass, casting soft shadows creating depth. Several seagulls are depicted on the beach; one sits atop a post of the wooden fence, while two others are on the sand further in the background. The painting exhibits a somewhat muted color palette typical of a coastal scene on a cloudy day, with the vibrant red of the lighthouse serving as a focal point. The visible brushstrokes indicate a textured application of paint, characteristic of acrylics. The painting is housed in a simple, traditional wooden frame with a medium-brown finish and a subtly carved or molded inner edge detail. The frame appears to be in good condition with no obvious chips or significant wear visible. A thin metal wire loop for hanging is attached to the top of the frame. The visible condition of the canvas and paint within the frame appears good, with no apparent damage, fading, or cracking. The artist's signature, "Lorie Leahy 2005," is discernible in the lower left corner, indicating the creator and the year of completion. The craftsmanship suggests a competent hand, with a clear depiction of the subject matter and effective use of composition to draw the eye through the scene.