North Star Lodge

A Print by N.R. Vogt

Production Year: 2009

Suggested Donation: $65 (100% of your investment will be used for ministry).

Recipients will be given a specifically numbered print of a limited edition of only 200 Prints that are personally signed and numbered by the artist. In addition, recipients will receive a signed “Certificate of Authenticity” that includes the following information from the artist:

The North Star Lodge was built in 1905 on a 14 acre mining site, located 3 miles from historic downtown Grass Valley. The 10,700 sq ft home was one of the earliest designs of Julia Morgan, the foremost female architect of the 20th century. Morgan, a California native, was the first woman to earn architectural degree. She also designed Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California, and San Francisco's Fairmont Hotel, among numerous significant buildings.

Even though the 1905 North Star House was one of Morgan’s early commissions, it is a model of articulate, innovative design, using local waste rock from North Star Mine and materials from site including peeled logs and redwood shingles.

The house, orchard, and gardens were known as a showplace of elegance and style, hosting investors and other dignified visitors from around the world. The Property contains three other former residences dating from as early as the mid-1870s.

The Lodge was the home of the Foote family, including noted author and artist Mary Hallock Foote and Arthur deWint Foote, superintendent of the North Star Mine. Initially the North Star Mine became the second largest producer of gold in California; however, when A.D. Foote brought in unique technology, innovation, and the power to drive deep hard-rock mining, including the largest Pelton Wheel ever built, the mine became the greatest gold producer in world. Engineers visited from around world to marvel at the innovation.

I was first inspired to paint this historic dwelling and grounds in 1976, when it was used as a Christian boarding school for students going through difficult struggles. As I painted the golden light beaming from the chapel windows, one of Jesus’ greatest promises began to fill my thoughts. In John’s Gospel (Chapter 14, verses 1-6), Jesus assures those who trust and rely entirely upon Him that He is preparing a mansion (dwelling place) for them in Heaven.

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know… I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

It is my prayer that all who look upon this print will come to know and trust our Lord Jesus more fully as they experience His joy, even while bearing the obstacles and struggles along their journey here on this earth. Jesus offers to all who place their trust in Him the instantaneous free gift of Eternal Life, as well as the peaceful assurance of a heavenly home with Him at the end of this world’s journey. What a promise!

Gratefully yours in His love and grace,

Nick Vogt

Text Box: The Artistic Works of N. R. Vogt “Paintings of Historical Significance”