by Lindsay Connor
Step through the doors of Somerset House, and you’re immediately greeted by the watercolors of David Charles Langley—a man whose artistic vision has left a lasting mark on Long Beach. For over 50 years, this home wasn’t just where he painted; it was where he built a family and captured the essence of life along the southern shores of Lake Michigan.
David and his wife Joan transformed a sandy junk lot at Stop 20 into a gorgeous home. There, they raised five children— John, Patti, Judi, Elaine, and David—instilling in them a sense of community and responsibility. As a way to honor their late father, the children compiled a book of the watercolors he made over his lifetime, complete with a biography of the artist they were proud to call “Dad.” This writing project brought the siblings together in new ways as they studied his legacy, his artistic talents, and his rigorous work ethic.
“We realize what an extraordinary gift it was to grow up in this home and be part of this community,” shares daughter Judi Langley. “Our parents left us something truly special.” David and Joan’s resourcefulness was evident from the beginning—they had just enough money to buy the land and build the house’s frame, but much of the craftsmanship was their own. Inside the house, you’ll find brick floors and outdoor hardscapes laid by David himself. He also built the furniture, designed the garden, and filled every wall with his artwork.
Art lovers in this community will remember Joan at David’s side at his booth at the Lubeznik Arts Festival over the years; today, his children carry on their legacy with a tent at the arts festival each year in August. David’s watercolors adorn the walls of many Long Beach homes, and their imagery shows his deep love for the southern shores of Lake Michigan and the dunes. “This part of his legacy continues to draw neighbors and friends to our home to discover and enjoy his work all over again,” Judi says. Over three decades, his watercolors not only captured the essence of the area but also preserved its history, becoming a lasting tribute to the community. In honor of their father, Judi and her sister Elaine co-founded DCLangley Watercolors (DCLangley.com), making his artwork available as online art prints.
David’s love for nature began in his childhood, growing up in the Adirondacks of upstate New York. A self-taught artist, his passion for capturing the beauty of the outdoors never waned. After high school graduation in 1945, David was scouted by the Chicago Cubs and signed as a left-handed pitcher. As part of his contract, Cubs owner Phil Wrigley funded his education at the University of Notre Dame, where David earned both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education. After serving two years in the Marine Corps, he settled in Long Beach and began to focus on his beloved lake scenes.
He was a prolific artist, choosing watercolor as the medium that rendered what he observed along the shores of Lake Michigan. Whether it was a bright morning, a soft sunset, or the excitement of sailboats on choppy waters, he portrayed it all with remarkable skill—even though he was colorblind. Over the years, he perfected his technique, painting landscapes from Key West to the Rhone in France and the Hawaiian Islands. But he always returned to the shores of Lake Michigan, where his final piece, “Clever Exit,” depicted a sailboat leaving a choppy harbor on a sunny summer day—the very day before he passed away on August 15, 2008.
Judi fondly recalls the home her parents built when she was just eight years old. “My father was my hero and his ability to create a watercolor, a garden, and the furniture in our home amazed me,” she says. “My mother was our teacher—for our spirit, heart, and body. I watched this beautiful beach community move through the seasons, waving at neighbors while riding my bike home from school or playing in the street as cars passed.”
At age 18, Judi left her idyllic childhood home to study chemical engineering at the University of Notre Dame. “I was lucky to be a woman starting her career in the 1980s with so many possibilities,” she reflects. Judi worked in product development for major brands like Victoria Secret, Banana Republic, and Gap, traveling the world to source new ideas. During her time in New York City, she met her husband, Gotham, who would become her travel companion, particularly on visits to his family in Mumbai.
“When Dad died in 2008, I continued to move all over the country knowing my mother Joan was our anchor in Long Beach,” she says. In 2019, she got word that her mother’s health had declined. “Talking to my brothers and sisters, I realized I was in the best position to come back to Long Beach and help.” Though she thought it might be a brief stay, the pandemic anchored her near her mother while the siblings visited as often as they could.
After Joan’s passing, the Langley siblings were faced with the decision of what to do with their family’s estate and their father’s art collection. Judi and Gotham moved into the family home at this time while she worked with her siblings on a plan. “I’ve been surprised at how the community embraces our effort to keep the home for our three-generation Langley clan,” she says. “We’ve brought back the family traditions like the annual Rhododendron party in May, family visits throughout the summer, and Notre Dame football parties in the fall.”
Though Judi and Gotham still explore the world, Judi feels the pull to her Long Beach home even stronger, with a connection to the people and memories that shaped her. For her and her siblings, there’s a sense that no matter where life takes you, you can always come home.
Lakefront Living, October 2024
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