FARMINGDALE -- A local graphic artist has transformed a little known lighthouse on the Kennebec River into a vintage-like travel print.

Alan Claude, an award-winning artist, said the Kennebec River's Doubling Point Light is colorfully interpenetrated with dramatic bold orange and lavender hues at sunset with overhanging leaves, giving the viewer a sense of distance and perspective.

The 1898 wooden octagonal lighthouse is located in Arrowsic near Bath and was built at a sharp double bend on the Kennebec River.

The print is part of his Maine Lighthouse Collection Series, a continuing series of popular lighthouse prints reminiscent of European travel posters of the 1930s.

The Doubling Point Light also is featured in a 2010 Maine lighthouse poster calendar that has recently been released.

"Most Mainers have not even heard of this lighthouse," Claude said of Doubling Point Light. "It doesn't even get many visitors a year but it's a true gem, and I felt compelled to feature it in my travel series."

Claude said he is influenced by American realist painter Edward Hopper and works in various mediums including pen and ink, photography and digital illustration. He said he has always loved history and the history of Maine's maritimes.

His series includes Portland Head Light, Pemaquid Point Light, Rockland Breakwater Light, West Quoddy Head Light, Cape Neddick "Nubble" Light and Bass Harbor Headlight.

"They are beautiful and are very well received by our visitors," said Marty Welt president of the Friends of Pemaquid Point Light. "Fifty percent of the travel poster sales at Pemaquid Point Light help fund our preservation and restoration projects."

Tim Harrison of Lighthouse Digest magazine said Claude's illustrations are some of the most stunning renditions of Maine lighthouses he has ever seen.

In the past, Claude has sent his prints to the American Lighthouse Foundation to use in fundraisers. Based in Rockland, the foundation supports the preservation and restoration of 21 lighthouses in New England and 11 in Maine.

The travel print and calendar are available at www.alanclaude.com and in various frame and gift stores throughout the state including the Portland Head Light museum.

Mechele Cooper -- 623-3811, ext. 408

mcooper@centralmaine.com