“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.
Agave – Light and Shadow
Out of sight, the window creates the mood of this early-morning image.
An Easter Bunny Sighting!
If the skies bless you with sunshine this week, try to see the beauty that’s often underfoot and waiting to be discovered!
Z
Love the pictures. Very inspiring. I haven’t drawn or painted in a very long time, but these photo’s tempt me to get busy.
yippee! i hope that you open that door and step back into your art!
lisa
I have been blessed with sunshine until today.The manatees have taken refuge in our canal this week, mostly females with their young. Lovely pictures of a secluded, peaceful setting, Lisa. Nothing like a hacienda. The agave study is a perfect choice with its shadows and shapes. Like the chapel photo, too.
how great to have manatees! that must be so fun!
am without internet at the house for another few weeks, so if you post photos, i’ll have to catch them later!
thanks so much; i’m glad you like the study, and yes, the chapel is really sweet!
z
A beautiful post! Thank you. I love the quote!
thank you! there’s something magical about guachala, and i really enjoy my time there! i was thinking that i should ask the owner about having a watercolor workshop there!
Z…Lovely Agave plant. I used to collect cactus plants as a young girl living in Southern California. A Cactus Garden created by a nine-year old. Loved it!!
Thank you for sharing.
R.
thanks, amiga!
there\s something special about the colors of an agave.. the colors are warm yet cool..
how great that you had your own cactus garden when young! i remember asking my mother once if she’d buy some flower seeds, and i remember how thrilled i was when those shasta daisies burst into bloom months later!
we get a bit of that garden soil in our blood, don’t we, and we’re always attached to mother earth!
Belong to a volunteer group who takes care of two city blocks in downtown Portland…sandwiched between the Portland Art Museum and the Historical Society. It’s an opportunity to get down and dirty, prune and deadhead the roses, etc. take care of the beauty in our neighbourhood. Since I live in an apt. now and have given up all my gardens…yes, still and always will be attached to dirt! Thanks, Sista-Sista Z
yes, working in a garden is great therapy! there’s such a ‘ground’ between the person and the planet.
here in the rainy season, things grow at jack-and-the-beanstalk rate. i remain amazed to see how fast things grow, even when neglected!
you’re about to be immersed in the explosion of springtime. i still miss those spring flowers!
z
Know your online time is limited and your spare time is just about nil. Advice: I need to put a copyright notice and signa. stamp on my watercolours when I post them…just to be safe. Do you subscribe to that? I think it means I have to do something complicated on and with my computer…which is why I’ve not done. R.
(PS.. I’ll be offline ’til Sunday or Monday…) Thanks, everyone, for your feedback on Long Live Paint Brushes! Z
Oh, I am so familiar with Pissarro’s words. Could it be an inner need to see beauty everywhere? …I wonder. Beautiful post, my dear Z and have a great weekend. 🙂
I love the water color is fantastic
the words are amazing too
just like you
I did a flower for you
thanks for inspiring me and making me do things I
normally don’t do like drawing…
and I am ready to go visit you and help you paint some post 😉
http://miartedoris.wordpress.com/2014/02/27/pink-lotus/
will use that quote on my time out for art
saludos!
Wonderfully seen, Z! 🙂
Great photos as always. Nice looking agave art too!
Beautiful work, z.
That agave watercolor is gorgeous. I love gray-greens and gray-blues. It’s soothing and mysterious and calming, all at once. Happy and safe travels to you!
love the watercolors and all the photos. I’ve yet to paint what my naked eyes have seen, need to move forward and see and paint. safe travels amiga, hugs
I especially liked your title! “Timeout for Art: Learning to See” I think that is the essence of embracing an abundant life. We need to stop, to see, to feel, to share. A wonderful post, as always…
I feel truly blessed that thanks to you I was able to visit Hacienda Guachala. Your photos reflect the charm of that place and I like your agave study.
The agave are lovely and the rabbit gave me such a surprise at the end of your post. I am still smiling.
Beautiful photograph Lisa. Love the Agave painting – the lines, lights and shadows are gorgeous!
Thanks Z. It is nice to get a respite and view colors, lights and shadows playing together.
Everyone needs a place like this to visit and allow the creative peaceful side of life take center stage. Love the Agave study.
Vow, that is truly a wonderful garden. And I can only agree with the sentiment of this post, it’s so easy to overlook the small wonders we are daily surrounded with. Your painting of the agave is simply beautiful. I love the colours and dynamic movements of the composition. Feels like a very vivid agave.
hi Lisa,
when I saw this Lady fashion, I thought: could be designed by Lisa / Zeebra:
your Frizz
What beautiful rhythm and movement you have captured in the agave study and what delightful colour!