Tags
El Matal, El Matal Ecuador, It Started with one Light Pole, Jama Coaque Concurso, jama ecuador, OGD Tur Jama, Painting Competition, Post painting in El Matal
More than 600 images crowded my camera chip when I returned home from the fishing village of El Matal on Ecuador’s Pacific Coast. Phase two of the “Post-Painting Competition“ coaxed a new batch of budding artists to the sun-drenched streets, where they magically transformed concrete light posts into works of art using Jama-Coaque pre-Columbian icons.
For two days I ambled the main streets, met new Picassos and marveled at their sheer joy of painting. They beamed with pride when anyone stopped to appreciate their work! Why, oh why, couldn’t they all win a top prize?!!!!
Like a child in search of Easter eggs, I sometmes veered down side streets where random splashes of art tugged for my attention. “Vamanos,” I exclaimed to a cluster of children who bashfully trailed behind. One barefooted lad escorted me to a newly-painted post then back to the main street!
After two days of walking in equatorial sun, my body waved an ‘Enough’s Enough’ flag that sent me to the shadows. My blood pressure was flat-lining, and the judging hour of one o’clock was pushed back to two o’clock and then three. Knowing my body, I said my goodbyes and found my way home before alarming everyone with a fainting attack! The month has been a demanding one, and my body was tired.
I am a little-bit glad that I wasn’t around to discover who won the top awards and who did not, as in my book, they were – and still are – all winners!
Do you have a favorite?
Z
Que lindo!
~ Lynda
grrrrracias! z
I ike the one with the guy pushing the tricycle!
Si, not only did she do a great job, but she is a lovely young woman as well! I’ll tell her that she received a ‘people’s choice’ vote! Thanks, z
What a fantastic idea, I like them all! 🙂
Thanks amiga! Z
I can’t wait to get back there and see all this for myself in person…great work Lisa!!!
Thanks, Mike! Hey a driver told me of his house for sale! We’ll go find him when you and Jana return! Z
Si.. now you have “It Started with One Light Pole” in Jama AND El Matal! I look forward to being a voyeur when you two (or three?) return and view the posts!
https://playamart.wordpress.com/2012/03/19/it-started-with-one-light-pole/
Pingback: El Matal, Ecuador « Zeebra Designs & Destinations
Love your photos–but most of all I love that you got this going here. You’ve inspired so many people here in Jama/El Matal with your art and have given them a new kind of joy to experience! Looking forward to meeting you in person, soon!
Hey neighbor!
As the other post states, “It Started with One Light Pole,” and my role was a small one, which triggered something greater. I learned long ago how praise and encouragement will pull out the best in most people. My part now is to praise and encourage those artists, so that they continue to glean pleasure from their art.
Muchas gracias for your kind words! Lisa/Z
Was this a community art project? Seems everyone had passion and was enjoying painting their posts. It`s great to see this kind of action, I would enjoy seeing this happen in Canada, a strong sense of community and art can really bring people together
Si; this was the second painting competition this year. for the first few hours, the artists are ‘on their own’ and then the neighbors start coming out and watching, and by the end of day two,it becomes a little social event. so nice to witness! z
Yes, a bit of paint brings everythig to life!
Si, it’s amazing how it transforms something common – like a light pole – into a work of art! thanks for your beautiful journey through the blog! z
Lisa you are a beautiful soul
cinzia
Well HEY stranger! Are you two back in Ecuador? I miss seeing you and Paul! Thank you so much for this lovely surprise comment! Z
Pingback: What Is Wrong With This Picture? | Zeebra Designs & Destinations