Dyce Head Light 

Dan Graziano made this painting of Dyce Head Light using oil paint on canvas. The material itself – oil paint – is significant. It allows for a build-up of texture, which you can see particularly in the rendering of the foliage. Consider the process too: each visible brushstroke speaks to the hand of the artist. It is a direct record of his physical gesture, almost like handwriting. The quick, visible brushstrokes suggest that Graziano painted this "en plein air," out in the open air. This was a common practice among impressionist painters, who favored the immediacy of working on site. What makes this painting particularly compelling is its combination of traditional fine art materials and techniques with a more everyday subject. Lighthouses are, after all, functional structures. They are built by skilled tradespeople, not necessarily artists. This piece invites us to consider the artistry inherent in all forms of making.