Vermilion Arts Guild's Judy Kernell: A Lens on Lighthouses

Vermilion Lighthouse Flowers, OH.JPG

“ …a lighthouse lifts its massive masonry,
a pillar of fire by night, of cloud by day . . . . “

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

After retiring from the Cleveland Clinic in 2005, Judy and her husband, Dan traveled on their Endeavour 44 power catamaran, christened FantaSea, between Vermilion and Florida for over four years.  The last year they decided to do “America’s Great Loop,” a 6,500 mile continuous waterway that circumnavigates the eastern portion of the United States. The route traveled was in a counter-clockwise direction across the Great Lakes (Erie, Huron, and Michigan), down the heartland inland rivers (Illinois, Mississippi, Ohio, Cumberland, and Tennessee), down the inland waterways (Tennessee-Tombigbee and Black Warrior-Tombigbee), across the Gulf of Mexico, up the Atlantic seaboard, up the Hudson River, and across the Erie Canal back to Lake Erie. 

In this milestone or “bucket list” journey, the couple racked up some impressive achievements:

  • Traveled through 22 states and the District of Columbia

  • Traveled in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean

  • Experienced 4 large bays, 101 rivers, 34 lakes, 36 sounds, 29 canals, and 42 creeks, went under 713 bridges, went through 67 locks

  • …and saw 173 lighthouses.

 And that’s what sparked Judy’s interest in photographing lighthouses, which turned into hobby and her signature artistic expression. “Some of the lighthouse are well maintained and remain active aids to navigation,” said Judy. “Others are in various states of disrepair, but all are a unique part of this country’s maritime history.”

Originally from Michigan, Judy worked in a Detroit-area hospital for many years before taking a job at the Cleveland Clinic downtown and a move to Vermilion. 

Since returning home from their long-distance cruising, Judy and Dan enjoy being full-time residents of Vermilion, and living by Lake Erie and the Vermilion River.  In 2012, they sold their boat and did “cruising” in an RV for a number of years.  Now, not traveling and being more settled, Judy enjoys golfing, biking, walking, reading, being a part of Main Street Vermilion. Photography remains her passion.

Since joining the Vermilion Arts Guild in 2009, Judy decided to print some of her lighthouse photographs captured through the lens as well as scenes of where she calls home. “What a joy to see others enjoy what you love to do!” she said. 

 

Main Street Vermilion