This Little Light of Mine – Oil on Linen Painting by Janice Lightowler

An original oil on linen painting by Janice Lightowler, depicting Donaghadee lighthouse and its reflection beneath a dramatic sky.

Medium: Oil on linen
Size: 40 × 120 cm
Location: Donaghadee

Artist’s statement

Nostalgia can trigger our senses evoking childhood memories that stay a lifetime. My lifelong connection to the lighthouse has inspired the name of this piece.

My grandparents had a caravan at Groomsport and I spent my childhood holidays by the sea, crab catching, cricket and often cards before bed. Many a night was spent listening to the fog horn and watching the beam from the lighthouse lit up the caravan. We would visit Donaghadee regularly, especially The Cabin for a magical treat of ice-cream of which there is only one flavour. I am convinced it is still being served from the same freezer, only now I am tall enough to see over the counter for the toppings. Our visit always ended with a walk, out to the lighthouse.

When you have magical childhood memories you want to pass on the magic to your own children. My son didn’t have a comfort blanket, instead he had a screwdriver, a red one. Whilst being lifted up to look over the harbour wall at high tide by his Granda, we heard a clunk, clink, plonk as his beloved screwdriver left his grasp and descended into the depths of the harbour. My son did not say a word, he and his Granda shared a silent look at each other and he accepted the screwdriver was gone.

During many low tides over the coming days the harbour was scanned in search of the screwdriver but to no avail. My son is now the Head Engineer in the Highlands of Scotland restoring and driving Steam Engines with an engine shed full of tools.

My youngest daughter now holidays with her little dog in Donaghadee and all the memories have come flooding back. The last time we left Donaghadee we had to stop our convoy of cars to marvel at the sight of the Lighthouse being lit by the evening sun, and I was inspired to paint it.

I texted my son with an image of the painting and he replied with one word, “SCREWDRIVER”.

Thirty years on, we still look over the harbour wall to see if we can see the screwdriver. With artistic licence maybe dreams can come true?

A good lesson for life, never lose hope and hold on to each precious memory but remember to share it, “Let It Shine”.