Realistic Paintings That Capture Emotional Moments

I created "Tug at the Heart of Eagle Island" to in hopes to capture the essence and to preserve the story of the old tugboat that quietly rested on Eagle Island throughout my entire life.  Inspired by a tugboat named Isco, which, despite being abandoned decades ago, continued to weather the trials of time while tugging at the hearts of many who passed by.  Abandoned at the edge of the Cape Fear River in the 60’s, Isco became a Wilmington landmark, an example of strength - once tasked with guiding others out of tumultuous seas, now succumbing to nature’s embrace.  This monumental tug sat proudly amidst its solitude, a relic of an era gone by, deserving of love and remembrance.

A friend’s father took a photo of Isco in the late 80’s and I’ve held on to this photo all these years. After I recently saw an article of it collapsing into the river, I felt compelled to keep its memory alive and sought to capture the spirit of this mighty tug.  In creating the scene, I focused on the circular windows peering out like old wise eyes, bearing witness to decades of neglect.  I endeavored to paint a picture of its past, paying particular attention to distressing the wood in painstaking detail in hopes of whispering tales of the journeys undertaken and storms weathered.  In the background, is a setting sun, softly speaking to the end of days for this tug.  The reflections in the water and the eagle’s nest in the background inviting you to reflect on the parallels between a story of strength, abandonment and perseverance against the tides of time. 

The significance of this tugboat’s tale is not just its own, it has tugged at the hearts of many of us, traveling by, navigating life’s waters, sometimes facing the world alone, yearning for strength, love, and remembrance.