Tags
ceibo trees, Jama Coaque Art, Jama Coaque Sellos Manos, Jesus Jazz & buddhism, Lisa Brunetti art, Patricia Adams Farmer, Rain Jama Ecuador January 2013

How Does One Spell Mud?!!!! When walking to town in THIS, I briefly wondered if I was on the right track!
After six months of extreme dry weather, typical of this dry rain-forest climate, the clouds turned on their taps and kicked off the new year with slow gentle rain. And more rain. And more rain. And more rain.
Friends from Colorado are in town to check on their home that’s under construction in the area. I’ve upgraded from a life ankle deep in mud on the river to a short stay at a cute hostal while they are here. (The photo above shows the road between my house and town.) All’s fine here, though the internet has been painfully slow. I have had problems sending emails, commenting on other posts or replying to WordPress comments.
Every so often Life presents golden tokens of assurance that I’m on track, and a huge smile arrived via an email patiently awaiting my attention. Patricia Adams Farmer, who lives nearby at Coco Beach Village, pens a column for Jesus Jazz & Buddism. Last month she featured the “Van Gogh Ceibo” painting in an article about ceibo trees. (Read You, Me and the Ceibo Tree HERE.)
Patricia’s true jewel arrived today; words fail me for a worthy preface. Her words trump all of mine! Kick back and enjoy a nugget of her genius HERE: The Totalmente Zen Art of Lisa Brunetti
Thank you, dear Patricia; I am honored and touched by your beautifully-written post.
Lisa/Z
I just read the incredible post written by ms. Farmer, I knew I admired the art I had seen through my limited exposure to your blog. But your contribution to art and to the lucky people who happen to find themselves in your presence is profound. I find myself feeling envious of those who have the opportunity to add their strokes of paint to your canvas. I hope someday to be so fortunate , for now I’m glad to have wondered onto your blog just to have discovered a jewel to be able to admire from afar! Your theory of getting people involved in creating beauty is pure genius! But more than genius, its pure love, generosity and generosity of spirit like I have never seen. Cheers!
Thank you, dear Holly! Sometimes I don’t feel worthy of such praise; I look inward and ask, “You’re saying this about ME?” — I am lucky that I’m wired to stay true to my own self and not be swayed by what others want me to do. That was a very long and difficult road, and most times when I was ‘at my worst’ was when I allowed others to overrule my true voice. I embrace getting older, of witnessing others tripping on similar issues, and I am always open to helping – if by nothing else than giving them patient assurance that ‘they can do this.’ Sensitive people are so often worried about what others think, of the fear of failure or not measuring up, and life isn’t about what others think, it’s about bringing out our own personal best.
Does any of that make sense?!!!
Sorry I did not reply earlier to your heart-felt comment; I returned home yesterday and look forward to catching up.
Thank you thank you thank you for such beautiful feedback. I am sure we will meet when you make that move to Panama! One of my good friends lives there, and I visit about every other year. Z
It is a truly beautiful written post…and touches exactly on your creative mind and what you do.
thanks so much; i need for patricia to become my pr person!!!
I agree, a beautiful article that does your wonderful art full justice. I think your PreColumbian Mola Series is just mindblowing!
thank you for your vote of confidence. i continue to be amazed at how well liked this new style of painting is.
I enjoyed reading the article on your art and the creative processes you use. The I can do attitude is so important because so many of us were and still are discouraged in the arts and made to feel that if it isn’t perfect we may as well not try. Do you see any similarity with the muddy tracks on the road and the brown tracks on your painting 🙂 ?
i loved loved loved your final statement/question! you’re very observant! yes, it’s wonderful to witness the renaissance that happens when people let down their inhibitions and paint for the joy of painting. i’m honored that people trust me so easily, and there’s no right or wrong – just the joy of painting!
z
what a beautiful tribute ..glad to hear it was the rain and internet that caused your silence , we were soon considering a trek up to Jama to make sure you were okay 🙂
it’s great to know there’s a backup system of good friends who are ready to dash if the smoke signals suddenly stop!
muchas grrrrrrrrracias!
z
Love your art work. With or without the lucky helpers.
thank you so much! it’s great to watch them take the brush and quickly switch to right-brain function! z
You always amaze me with your notes on the blog. Wonderful art and your experiences.
Bravo Señora Z
C.
hey – i think i missed replying to your kind comment. thank you so much! lisa/z
Thank you for putting the link to t.he beautifully written article about your art. I am quite humbled to count you as one of my blogging friends. Your art is unique, colourful and full of life and your philosophy of inviting everyone to participate in the finishing of the painting would give that art a depth that only a shared creation can resonate with. I would love to be able to see your work in real life.
I hope the muddy road soon dries up and your internet connection comes back
hey amiga
thank you so much for your kind words. I’m glad that you enjoyed patricia’s story – she’s very talented.
i’m now home, and we’ve had three days of beautiful weather. the weeds are growing at jack in the beanstalk growth, and i’ve enjoyed switching pen/paint/computer for yard duties!
thanks so much for being my friend as well!
lisa
I wanted to put a like and comment on Patricias post but couldn’t find any where to do it. Can you pass on to her how much I, and Jack, enjoyed her post and seeing your art work
i will be sure to do that. i mentioned the same to her, and i’m sure she’s passed on those suggestions to her editor.
I couldn’t find any way of putting her into my reader. You know that little RSS symbol you click on. I prefer to do that rather than following via email.
i’ll pass that on to patricia and her editor! thanks!
What an awesome article Z, a wonderful tribute for the good you are bringing to the world around you and beyond. Your concept of community painting is inspiring, ice-breaking, relaxing and I’ll bet the most joyful experience based on all the smiling faces I saw in the photographs. Bless your heart this was a great blog to read first thing this morning. You raise the level of art touching hearts and souls.
Congratulations!
I forgot to say – stay safe w/the rain. I hope that your home is safe after all the remodeling you’re doing – would be a shame to have it damaged. I bet you’re going to have all kinds of stories after the rainy season – mud boots anyone?!
hey! i bought mud boots in town last week to navigate the streets in town. the mud was horrible!
because the house is located near the river mouth, usually the flooding happens upriver and has filtered back into bounds by the time it reaches the boca. i’ve not experienced an el nino year yet.. the current gets quite fierce in the rainy season, and i am hopeful it won’t try to redraw the final outside bend in the river!
thanks so much for caring!
lisa/z
As we sometimes say, ‘tit for tat,’ i am honored to have helped start your day in a positive way, and now you have given the end of my day a great big smile! thanks so much for your kind words!
lisa/z
Lovely post Z! And I loved the article by Ms. Farmer. What a beautiful tree, and another lovely Z painting! Hugs – B
thanks amiga
i’ve been totally off the wordpress/cyberspace world this week. am now home and catching up little by little. thank you so much, and yes, patricia did an amazing job!
z
I was commenting to my husband over the weekend that my dear friend Z might be inundated with rain and mud! All OK on that front? I have missed you my dear friend! Hugs! – B
thank you so much! john and mary (living it up in ecuador) also expressed a similar qualm! we’ve had a break, and the itnernet is much better after i turned the little box in a totally different direction – a ‘sarcastic’ move to prove that it could get no worse, and – viola- it got better! go figure!
i’m so behind on wordpress but will slowly be catching up! thanks so much for missing my presence! z
What a great article! Congratulations 🙂 And, what an interesting site that is. I loved it, and your article, and your work.
thank you! thanks, also, for visiting the site. yes, it’s a great one! z
I love how you merge your art, philosophy and people together to bring out their creative spirit. Ms. Farmer describes this well. Your Mola series is breathtaking and inspiring. So happy for you.
thank you, amiga! yes, patricia captured it well! she needs to be my pr person! z
The article by Ms. Farmer is so beautiful, but sad too… Thank you for bringing us the awareness of nature and giving us an opportunity to appreciate artworks.
thanks, amiga! patricia’s very talented! z
Hey Sis, Once again you make me sooooo proud!! I couldn’t have a more talented, loving, and caring sister. I love your trust in total strangers with your art work, allowing them to “join in”, and making them feel so special. God put you on this earth as a very special angel, & you give so much to others & make them feel that they too have a purpose & you help give them build confidence in themselves. Keep up the great work. You are such an inspiration to so many, including your ole sister Pat!!! Love you always & God Bless You!
Dear Pat!
Thank you so much for your kind words! I am proud of you as well, and I look forward to your new journey! Hopefully you’ll be embarking soon!
Love, “Baby Sister”
Congratulations with the feature. It’s a wonderfully written article. For me it’s always interesting to learn how other artists approach their work. Your work is simply amazing. It’s unique and it brings joy and beauty into this world – even when it’s raining hippos and elephants.
Thank you, Otto; Your comment made me chuckle, (raining hippos and elephants!) and i am thankful to have had three days of pretty weather. I’ve spent most days outside, pulling weeds, pruning limbs, moving soil and preparing for the next installment of the rainy season!
Patricia did an amazing job, and I am honored. I am equally honored by your kind words! Thanks again, Z
Wow Lisa. How do you feel now? That’s an amazing tribute, and I had no idea you were including people in your paintings, nor did I know your workshops include group work – these are just the best ideas. I add my bravo to everyone else’s. Such a vote of confidence is given to you in this article; obviously it reflects the votes of confidence you give everyone you meet, it seems. Don’t worry about the slow connection or internet absence – my guess is that it’s forcing you into other activities, whatever they are, and that those activities are bearing fruit now, or will in the future.
you are such a kind and insightful person! thank you so much for your comments that always contribute just as much as my own post! Grrrrrrrrracias!
Z, nice upgrade from the muck. I think I would spell what you showed above in this manner. Take care, BTG
Thanks, it was great having the week in town, tipping out in the mornings and interacting with the locals, etc. It’s also great to get home sweet home again! I returnred to an overgrown yard, but it’s been nice to pull weeds, prune and enjoy the respite from the rain. Z
Thank you for the hypa-link to ‘You me and the Ceibo tree’. Your painting was a mighty attention grabbing attraction to choose for the first picture it set the standard for the rest of that story matching that measure of excellence. You knew I was going to empathise with every word and photo. I regret I could not find where to directly comment.
hey amigo
thank you so much for checking out patricia’s column. i asked her to pass along the need for comments as well – i wanted to formally thank the editor for authorizing patricia’s amazing article, which complimented the ceibo one. the latest one is here:
http://www.jesusjazzbuddhism.org/zen-process-and-the-art-of-lisa-brunetti.html
i look forward to your feedback on this one!
thanks so much!
lisa
It is nice to hear our own words echo back when we have not spoken them. Totally focused on our art as in meditation. Spontaneous no time for detail let the viewer fill that in, catch the positive and vegative shapes, see the patterns and the flow, just do it, before the subject moves or the light changes. Black and white is my limit if I could master colour, I would have to do it in very watery water colour, tilting the paper to let controled accidental effects happen. I will leave the colour to an expert and sit back and enjoy.
thanks, Jack! when is the last time you trired water colour? tilting the paper is quite fun! it would be great to see some of your drawings/paintings. z
I have always just played at art. It was wonderful just to belong to an art group or class. I have enjoyed just having a go at all forms of art.
Pottery was my greatest love It is so much fun playing with clay like a child. As a boy I did not have plasticine but used to swim in a dam dug into red clay, I would model things out of it.
My water colours were monocrome when I attempted colour it always turned to mud. Wet water colour I love, as an artist described it, ‘happy accidents’ when tilting, dropping in and all the other tricks that are not fully under ones control.
I will see if I can slip some of my art into my future posts.
when somethings not quite right in my life, my paintings turn to mud. i switch to pencil, and the drawings are always fresh and expressive.
it would be great to see more of your creations in your posts!
the rainy season has kicked off with lots of rain, so i’m not sure how often i’ll be online! will catch up when i can. i always enjoy your posts!
z
I know the problem of half finished, unsaved, posts when the conection is lost. I try to look at it as patience practice and it works, sometimes, other times I start to complain and then become mindful of what is happening and go make a cup of herb tea. Pleased you enjoy my posts, thank you.
This post has introduced me to a wonderful chain of exploration (J.J. & J.) to help on my journey along the parth to understanding. Some times I think technology has created another monster for us to manage but communication technology if managed right may be our greatest blessing. Thank you Lisa for this outstanding post. Thank you for getting me back into my sketching and also for giving me more to fill my day. Yes the thing is managing my time there are not enough hours in the day, oh! but it is wonderful to be full of enthusiam.
“technology if managed right may be our greatest blessing” – you are so right!
i am glad that you enjoyed patricia’s posts, and I am glad that you now have some new material to explore. thank you so much for your kind words; i’m glad that you’re sketching again!!!!
yes, it is so nice to have many interests, and each day has many possible options – all of them good ones!
z
You deserved many post….you are so talented Lisa! Love both post! I love that painting of the tree is one of my favorites from you, those trees are so majestic and beautiful.
i hope that one day you’ll get to see those trees in person! As always, thanks so much for your comment! Z
You are my inspiration. Thank you for being You . 🙂 !
and YOU are our queen, and thank you for being you as well. i’m not joking; you have overcome some amazing battles, and no matter what happens, you keep on marching forward. i am honored to know you and your story. thanks so much for sharing, and keep talking with those angels!
lisa/z
Wonderful article! Great to hear how much FUN! you are having with your artwork – and with everyone involved 🙂
Thanks for what you do!
Tomas
Your work and words continue to to make ME smile. Always follow your bliss!
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She did a wonderful job! 😉
thanks!!! z