Dec. 21, 2025 Seascape Painting with Lighthouse

 December 21, 2025

I am working on a large (48" x 36", 4 ft x 3 ft) seascape, oil painting this month, depicting my hometown beach and the local lighthouse that is being restored. It will also include sailboats, bikes, native flora and birds. There is a Babboe cargo bike in the scene so far... perhaps, one or two more bikes will be added before it is finished. A portion of the proceeds will go to Ocean Conservation non-profits I support, including TheOceanCleanup.com and the Stamford Lighthouse Restoration Project.

Painting by C.Proppé - Stamford Lighthouse from Seaside Center

This painting is a combination of things I love from my hometown beach– the places I grew up swimming and sailing, the historic stone buildings and architecture, and the local gardens that have been cared for by friends and family in the local garden club and conservation societies. It is not an exact replica of the view, but a design that seeks to bring what if feels like to spend time here all into one image.

Note on sustainability and the future:

The area is a lot more populated than when I was a kid. Stamford, CT has grown and there is visible smog over the city from the ocean in the Summer. There are more boats and overfishing. Some of the tiny coves here are just 1 foot deep in places when the tide is low, and slippery mud lines these areas. This is where young kids learn to swim and sail, so I especially want to remind people to care for our waterways and not pollute here. If you can afford electric boats and sailboats, please do what you can to prevent further pollution of our favorite places. Donating to other non-profits, including Save the Sound are really important! They are determining where the most toxins are coming from in our local rivers, such as those that are damaging Byram Beach.

I have done many "cove cleanups" removing Ocean Plastic over the years, after my bike rides. I know others pick up the trash too, and there are pails provided to help out by Green and Clean. If you live near on or near the ocean, please refrain from using harmful fertilizers, pesticides and please, garden organically. Let's keep the places we love as safe as possible for fish, wildlife and our kids.

Despite the fact that oil paints last forever and their color does not fade in a lifetime, I am planning to switch to earth-friendly paints when my remaining supplies are depleted. My process does not wash any toxins into our water supply. All paint is cleaned from brushes with recycled paper and goes into trash that is incinerated. Still, I've been breathing the paint for decades and getting it on my hands, and I'm ready to move on to something safer for me and the planet. If you are interested in purchasing this painting in CT or the NYC Metropolitan area, please get in touch at CProppe.com/paintings or CProppe.com/shop

Thank you, and Happy Holidays! -Colleen