Timeout for Art: Learning to See

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Agaves, Cayambe Ecuador, Hacienda Guachala, Timeout for Art Learning to See

“Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing.” Camille Pissarro

Hacienda Guachala, the oldest hacienda in Ecuador, provides endless subject matter, especially when the early-morning sun warms the gardens.  Although dramatic shadows showcased the architecture of the two churches, my attention wavered to the subtle voice of the agaves.

Agave Study – Watercolor – Copyright Lisa Brunetti

Walk with me through the gardens, and hopefully you’ll agree with my choice for this (above) watercolor study.

LONG LIVE PAINT BRUSHES!

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Group Painting Projects, I can do this painting projects, jama post painting projects, Lisa Brunetti art, long live paint brushes, Painting projects, urban art

Quick! How does one mark the sun on the March Equinox? Long Live Paint Brushes!

Thank all of you for your kind comments on the last post, ´WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?¨  You´ve helped me wrestle my ego and lock it down where it won´t nudge me into trouble!   Tim- Forester Artist made me chuckle when he commented, ¨They waited until you left. I think they’re afraid of you!  ;)¨

Mary, of Oil Pastels by Mary, triggered a big smile when she wrote, ¨Long live paint brushes!

Marina lightened the mood by stating, ¨…please don’t “retire your urban paintbrush”!¨

I´ve always said that if one removes the ego from a conflict, the conflict usually vanishes.  It´s been hard to reconcile this one, as if someone doesn´t speak up for the voice of the artists, then…. what?    When does one watch from afar, and when does one become proactive?

Your feedback really helped keep this from beocming a burrrrrrr beneath my blanket, and I know first hand how loco that will make most horses!

These archive photos illustrate Mary´s point, and with a smile I present, ¨Long Live Paint Brushes!

What Is Wrong With This Picture?

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El Matal Ecuador, jama coaque art project, jama concurso, jama ecuador light posts paintings, palo santo jama ecuador, urban art, who owns urban art?

Many of you will remember the extremely-popular (It Started With One Light Pole) post from 2012 that circulated round the world – more than once! Several periodicals pointed readers to this community project that was triggered by one lone light pole.

Just last week someone else featured this community event – (And did not ask to use my photos!) – I refrained from scolding them about using my photos, since this was about the locals in Jama and not about me.  The more the world read about those artists and about the positive things happening in Jama, the better.  Right?

For a refresher, see IT STARTED WITH ONE LIGHT POLE. (2012)

It Started With One Light Pole

Looking better!

“It Started With One Light Pole” – (Remember this view!)

One year later…

I’ve enjoyed watching Luchy transform his petite little building into a work of art, and we sometimes smile and say, ‘It started with one light pole.” That lone post triggered two years’ worth of urban art.  I witnessed shy insecure young artists bud into confident ones.

But something is amiss this week, and I’m struggling with warring emotions. 

Timeout for Art: Awaken Your Creative Voice!

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marking the planet..., Spring Equinox, sun dials, timeout for art awaken your creative voice

June Solstice – High noon on the equator!

“Hide not your talents. They for use were made. What’s a sundial in the shade?” Benjamin Franklin

This quote by Franklin reflects two totally different themes that touched my life this week. One is an ongoing payback to a dear friend who owns Hostal Ciragan in Jama Ecuador. Because I have stayed with them so often over a seven-year period, she often refuses my money.

“Hmmmm. Two can play that game,” I smirked, and when possible, I leave behind a token, “Thank you” smile.

Define Incongruent, Por Favor!

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aguaji, El Matal Ecuador, incongruent, man vs nature

Although there are thousands of egrets, cormorants, frigates and pelicans in my neighborhood, today one lone cocoi heron stood guard in front of the riverhouse. Thanks, neighbor!

(Webster’s II – Office Edition 1984)
Incongruent – adj. 1. Not congruent. 2. Incongruous
Incongruous – adj – 1. Not corresponding: disagreeing  2.  Made up of diverse or discordant elements. 3. Unsuited to the surroundings or settings.
Congruent – adj. 1. Corresponding: congruous.
Congruous – adj – 1. /Corresponding in nature or kind.

Jama & El Matal Ecuador – February 2014
If this last bend of Rio Jama were populated with thousands of Cocoi Herons and few egrets, a different species might be featured above!   There’s something special about close encounters with elusive species.   On the first day of this year, the distinct call of the lone osprey whispered, ‘I’m back; did you miss me?” (Yes, I did!)

Roosting egrets streak home in low light!

Equally elusive is the lone Cocoi Heron, a pearl of a recluse that dodges society. At times this feathered beauty stands guard in the mud flats upriver, or it edges closer to the ibis and egrets that forage beneath the blue-green mangroves. Quite shy and untrusting, it soars away at the slightest hint of human presence. Today, however, this closest neighbor of mine stood guard slightly downriver from the house while rough-winged swallows flitted nearby!

Cocoi Heron Stands Guard

Gazing out the other windows, I’ve observed a different scene for over a month. I’ve briefly mentioned this new activity, though I’ve tried to dismiss it; this daily intrusion sometimes lasts into the night.

Beach Loss Reaches Critical Status; Community Unites

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aguaji el matal ecuador, beach loss 2014, beach specialist, coastal erosion ecuador, effects from sand mining, effects from taking sand from beaches, el matal ecuador beach loss, geotubes, is it legal to take sand from the beach?, restoring sand to beaches, Sand Mining

Waving valiantly, this flag joins many others in El Matal’s fishing fleet.
At noon on Valentine’s Day, many fishermen were not with their boats – they were attending the public meeting about their vanishing beach.

El Matal (Manabi) Ecuador

Residents of El Matal and concerned citizens from nearby areas displayed a united front at the public meeting to discuss the critical status of the eroding beach.   Engineer Daniel Santata, a coastal specialist, joined the Minister of Pescadores and the Director of Risk (Portoviejo), though the meeting began without the presence of Mayor/Alcade Alex Cevallos.

Where beach restaurants once punctuated the public beach, a withering young palm stood guard while 70-plus locals gathered for the community meeting.

Because of difficulty in understanding sometimes rapid-fire Spanish, and straining to grasp what I heard through the outdoor acoustics, I apologize in advance for errors in translation.  The essence of the meeting follows.  Z

Here, Birdie Birdie Birdie! Great Backyard Bird Count!

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backyard bird oount 2014, counting birds, things to do on a boring day!, what to do today, what to do with children

http://gbbc.birdcount.org/
These are the last two days for the Backyard Bird Count!

How Many Birds?
The text field is not showing on the “New Post” page, but these photos should get the message to all of you!

How many feathered friends are awaiting your attention? Start counting and share your results!
http://gbbc.birdcount.org/

El Matal Middle and Upper End

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aguaji el matal ecuador, coastal damage, El Matal Ecuador

El Matal (Manabi) Ecuador – February 2014

While waiting for a bus connection, I’m pulling these photos out of draft status before rolling to home sweet jama! These photos were taken one week after the destructive tides that washed away most of the remaining beach. (See It’s Devastating)

Gallivanta continues her support with helpful feedback from across the Pacific  (New Zealand) – i am especially grateful for this radio interview with coastal scientist Jim Dahm: http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/player/2585167

The bus just rolled into town, so without any captions added to the photos, I share the images taken in front of El Matal “proper, past Coco Beach Village, and along a natural area.

El Matal – The Southern End

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aguaji el matal, ecuador beaches, El Matal Ecuador, fishing boats, how to stop beach erosion, losing pacific beaches, sand loss on ocean beaches, vanishing beaches

Heads up, Jama Residents:  Community meeting with officials at Raul’s Corner Restaurant – Tuesday February 11, 2014

El Matal Ecuador –  This past Friday, I walked almost the entire stretch of El Matal’s beach, from the southern end closest to the landmark of Punta Ballena to El Matal “Proper” and Coco Beach Village, past the site of the new Punta Ballena Development, through the river mouth (low tide) and stopped for a very late lunch at  the community of La Division.  I’ve surely earned the title of “Beach Inspector” for this past week!

Although I missed seeing the devastating high tides, the beach wears its scars from its battle with Mother Ocean.  The powerful waves stripped the sand beneath the thatched-roof bamboo structures that once sheltered the boats.  In the next assault, will she devour the road and advance to the houses and restaurants?

(Pardon me, but you’re blocking the road!) Where will the fishermen put their boats if the ocean destroys the road?

Overwhelmed with hundreds of photos, I’ll start with the southern end of the beach.  Walk with me  and enjoy the beauty while pondering the dilemma of the vanishing coastline.

Timeout for Art – Making Others See (and Smile!)

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blue footed booby, Ecuador Expat Journeys, how to make someone smile, isla corazon ecuador, quick art, Timeout for Art - Making Others See (and Smile!)

“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” –  Degas

A random conversation inspired this whimsical illustration.   Sketched and painted between a hurried breakfast and a check-out departure via tour bus, this illustration will provide a big smile to a friend’s friend – who requested, ‘Bring me a feather from a blue-footed booby!”

We spotted white ibis at Isla Corazon – (Rio Chone near Bahia de Caraquez) – but few blue-footed boobies live in this area!

Since we didn’t cross paths with a blue-footed booby, we hope that the image (at the top) will give her a grand smile!

Ironically,  Jonathan, the director/operator of this coastal tour, looked at the image and remarked, ‘A blue-footed owl!”   Immediately an entire series of blue-footed creatures raced through my mind!

Sometimes it’s not important to get everything perfect.  Allow the mistakes to shine while you capture the memories of the moment!

Place your bets;  will more blue-footed creatures parade through future posts?!

Z

Wild Journey

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arash recovery, Destructive tides Ecuador February 2014, Ecuador Expat Journeys, El Matal Ecuador, i will survive, life's hurdles, living on ecuador's coasts, overcoming accidents

Four days past the desecration of El Matal, angry waves warn, “Don’t forget – we will return…” photo taken at Bahia de Caraquez, Manabi Province – Ecuador —photo taken February 06, 2014

I’ve never appreciated misleading headlines, and this one slightly tilts in that direction!  The past six months have kept my dance card full, and my slow or no internet has made it difficult to open a compose page or even leave comments (or answer them!)  When traveling, I am able to read websites and emails, yet an external keyboard is necessary for replying.  My sometimes-cryptic replies are often written with copy/paste functions if retrieving the keyboard is not an option.

The past few months presented unique experiences; I wrestled  Diablo Huma into a shipping tube and blasted him into his first international trip in the midst of a winter storm.

Diablo Huma is a STAR!

I joined others in witnessing the first assault of destructive waves at El Matal Ecuador then felt equally powerless as last week’s sobering battle confirmed that these people deserve national attention and help. While my friends played David and Goliath with Mother Ocean, I spent time with a delightful coastal Ecuador Expat Journeys group.

George, from Hawaii, was our precious king for the week!

Leaving Salinas Ecuador

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Behind the scenes on other WordPress channels, many people are fighting their own personal battles.    You embraced Jenna’s story, and I suspect this next one will have a profound effect as well.   With zero preface about his history, I introduce you to an incredible man who closed his last post with the sentence, ” …As I continue on this wild journey, I maintain the promise I’ve made to many people to…”

Prepare for an amazing journey.

Start here:  ArashRecovery Never Satisfied

The strong phoenix emerges from the ashes.
(Sculpture detail- artist Ivo Uquillos, Portoviejo Ecuador)

(Real life trumps fun times; Timeout for Art coming later today!)

Z

“Devastating” Update

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aguaji el matal ecuador, beach loss el matal ecuador, El Matal Ecuador, high tides el matal ecuador, king tides, spring tides

Will this ancient icon halt the ocean’s assault?

El Matal, Ecuador February 04 2014

The above photo shows the ocean’s view of one of the beachfront homes at El Matal, Ecuador. The previous post shows the opposite view from that same house as the ocean took bite after bite of the vanishing beachfront.

“It’s Devastating”

Still traveling with the Ecuador Expat Journey group, I am pleased to direct your attention to Patricia Farmer’s update: AFTERMATH.

Thanks, Patricia –  I’ll be home on Thursday night and hope to see all of you on Friday.
Z

“It’s Devastating”

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aguaji el matal, coastal damage el matal euador, coco beach village, damage to el matal, february 2014 coastal flooding, fighting mother ocean

El Matal Ecuador
Canton: Jama
Province: Manabi
02-February – 2014

Late afternoon – Feb 02, 2014 – El Matal Ecuador – Homeowner photo – (Hold that thought…)

On Saturday, I sent queries (about the destructive high tides) to people living in the coastal area near my home on the river.   Lesli, a homeowner at Coco Beach Village at El Matal, wrote late Saturday night with a two-word message.  “It’s devastating.”

Superbowl, Spicy Freeze-dried Coffee & Worry

Siempre Trabajando – Always-working Susie, Jonathan, and Sarah work on tour details at Canoa Beach Hotel

Feb. 01, 2014 – Ecuador

As travels took me to Guayaquil, I’ve been preoccupied about the high tides at the petite fishing village of El Matal, home to many friends who surely feel helpless against the devastating high tides.   Torn between the sobering reality that they’re facing and the positive interaction with a new tour group, I’m planted in Guayaquil and ready to embrace the upcoming week.  A part of me is also planted on the front line at El Matal’s vanishing malecon.

What will be left of this beach when morning arrives?

Jonathan Hall of Ecuador Expat Journeys sent an itinerary on Friday, as I will soon be meeting the newest tour arriving at the Guayaquil airport.   He stated where we’ll be spending Sunday night, where dinner will be, and added there will be a Super Bowl party for those who are interested.

Ecuador Expat Journeys – Coastal Tour

Super Bowl?  I knew there was one approaching, but I did not know who was playing or when!  Super Bowl Party?   Should I wear ‘artist’s black’ and be neutral? I mentioned my dilemma to a few friends via email, and they replied with several great crash course summaries:

From New Mexico: “DENVER PLAYS SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
PEYTON MANNING
FROM YOUR STATE IS THE DENVER
Quarterback. Set NFL record
For touchdowns this year.
Denver has the best offense
Seattle gas the best defense / they are tough and young”

From Colorado: “…You would not believe the Superbowl hype here.  Denver is in it so it is nonstop interviews, orange and blue outfits, superbowl parties, more interviews and wagers…”

How well I remember witnessing the waves’ power at Playa San Miguel Costa Rica…  El Matal has few trees to help stop the devastation.

Through this, I searched the online periodicals for information about the coastal disasters and considered the contrasts between festive celebrations for a sport vs the sobering reality of watching your home and the front line of a village wash to sea, one crashing wave at a time.    I continued to feel a bit like someone who cancels a party because of a death of a loved one.  How can one be in a festive mood when friends are witnessing the ocean’s wrath?  Was I over reacting?  No news is good news?  I ran errands and returned to my hotel room.