Red White and Beach by Lisa Elley. Palette knife painting in oil. No brush! 30 x 30 x 1.5 inches, sides painted, no frame required. Painting

Red, White and Beach by Lisa Elley. Palette knife painting in oil. 2013. 30 x 30 x 1.5 Inches. In Miami beach, dotting the shore in vivid contrast to the sparkling blue ocean, stands an array of brightly colored lifeguard towers, each with a very unique art deco design and its own piece of history. The popular structures, besides providing support to the Miami Beach Patrol Lifeguard staff, have become a cherished symbol of Miami. The towers started popping up shortly after Hurricane Andrew hit in the early 1990s. The first towers were designed and built by Architect William Lane, whose donation quickly became a hallmark of Miami associated with its revival after the devastation. Many more followed, some as a result of design competitions, and some commissioned by local entrepreneurs. Lifeguard towers act as important landmarks and gathering points on beaches everywhere. People swim close by to be under the care of the lifeguards and use them as meeting places in the otherwise confusing beach plane of people and umbrellas. The lifeguard towers of Miami Beach have transcended the usual role of comfort and safety to become visual icons. The towers instantly became symbols of the revived City of Miami Beach. Today images of the towers are everywhere from real-estate advertisements to city documents and magazine articles. It is really great to have something so recognizable representing Miami. This one is the Lifeguard stand at 13TH ST.