“The mind is sharper and keener in seclusion and uninterrupted solitude. Be alone – that is the secret of invention; be alone, that is when ideas are born.” Nikola Tesla
Although I live five kilometers from town and share the riverbank with my neighbors the birds, an interesting queue of people find their way to my door/gate. As they step into the studio for the first time and touch the tromp l’oeil floor then gaze at the river from the second-floor balcony, I’m humbled with the reality that my life is unique.
The beauty of the river provides a rich environment and incubation chamber for inspiration. One’s pulse naturally slows while watching the frigates spiral to the skies then swoop for touch and go’s on the water while petite wrens and swallows perch on branches near the house. During those times, silence is the best conversation.
For five or six hours each day, the river is not so quiet. Slightly upriver and downriver are oxen-sized pumps that supply the shrimp ponds with fresh water. During those times I often pair painting sessions with a music playlist; meticulous details require subtle piano, and ‘mas alegre’ music nudges me into a faster painting tempo!
Late at night while most of my neighboring world is asleep, the magical world of blissful silence casts its spell over my work environment. Sunset usually signals the end of (very little) traffic on the gravel road, and the pumps cease as the river lowers with the tides. Ahhhh, aside from nature’s whisperings, all is serene and quiet. Music during those times is an intrusion.
Last week’s three-inch rain triggered a new nesting frenzy, and the ibis and herons and egrets whisper and whimper throughout each night. With one ear tweaked to the comforting nocturnal sounds of the birds, I enter my most-focused painting session for the day. Time all but stops, and many times I am shocked to see that hours have passed after I’d planned to stop ‘in ten more minutes.’ (“Ten more minutes…”- ” Thirty more minutes…” – “When I finish floating this yellow wash of color…” – “After I strengthen the darkest areas…”) Physical fatigue stops me, usually around one in the morning, but there are times when I paint until almost sunrise.
Sometimes it’s as if I’m painting while dreaming – I emerge from what seems like a painting trance – quite like when one drives between two familiar points yet cannot really remember the details of making that drive.

Using the flower for reference, I dip my paintbrush into the pigments and apply the paint with sharp attention to details.
While painting the “Night Gardens,” I selected several flowers – that only open at night – and painted late into the night to capture their essence. Without preliminary sketching, I tapped into a unique focus that works best when there are no distractions. Sketching would be a waste of time, so I mixed pigments and began painting. One by one, the flowers came to life as if they grew on the canvas. The flowers seemed to magically paint themselves!
Other times my mind wanders while my hand paints, and it’s as if my soul takes little journeys to visit my loved ones! This week I thought of my other friend named Joe, whose world shifted last week with a diagnosis of stage 4 cancer. This Joe is a musician, and a lot of his music is on my painting playlist so that part of my energies are directed to him.
At times I get a strong sense of a loved one while painting and will later find that he/she was facing something either really really good or really really bad! This sense of knowledge usually strengthens when I am still and quiet for long periods of time. When I am hurried and with others, that ‘gift’ evaporates.

Working late into the tranquil hours of the evening, I finished this 9-foot wide mural for Restaurante de Punto de Victor
After I’ve been working for several hours in uninterrupted solitude, new inspirations course through my imagination as if they’re meteors! Whoosh-— What about painting this? Whoosh! — Oh yes, and what about that?— Whoosh! — Remember to find that photo of the upside bucket on the fence post! Whoosh–-I know what’s wrong with that painting – It has a push-pull conflict. The colors are at war with each other — Whoosh! — And that skull – Where is that lost photo of the cow skull? It’s time to being that sketch to life!”
I have to force myself to get some sleep! One night around midnight, I retrieved a heavy grapefruit-sized rock that had been staring at me for months. Intended to serve as a doorstop for a friend, it patiently awaited my attention. Although I had washed my brushes and put away my paints, I retrieved a photo of a beloved cat that my friend emailed last year. The Eureka moment struck, and as if being painted in a dream, this image flowed from computer to my hand to the rock through the magic of extreme focus and inspiration.
(*My friend is a veterinarian-ophthalmologist.)
Morning arrives, and my senses awaken with the always-cheerful songbirds in the nearby canopy. For several hours I reconcile into the waking world while critiquing progress from the previous night. My work during daylight hours is often punctuated by unexpected interruptions, so I tackle small tasks while anticipating the nocturnal painting hour. There are countless ‘Bird Breaks” as well!
Tesla definitely understood how ‘uninterrupted solitude’ unlocks the mysteries of the unconscious while inspiring creative ideas. We all have special gifts, and it’s our duty to awaken them.
When is the last time you basked in several days’ immersion in total or almost-total silence? I highly recommend doing this, although even an hour or two will serve as a sweet tonic for your soul.
Loved this post, the music, the art and the total immersion! You could have been talking about some of my better writing sessions…so similar. 🙂
P
Thank you, Patti! When one of those sessions ends abruptly, it’s like awakening from a dream! It’s also hard to return to that same state and resume the rhythm..
There are also days when it just doesn’t flow well, and that’s when I switch tasks, go for a walk, garden, cook, visit w/friends… it cannot be forced, can it?!
I agree. If we could only bottle it…
beautiful post – and wish I could hear this: “and the ibis and herons and egrets whisper and whimper throughout each night….” and I love your work. :O)
Wonderful, wonderful! The images and the words…and sage advice, too! Thank you, Lisa!
What a beautiful post, Lisa. You’ve raised the bar again! Your paintings, including the mural are exquisite & I can tell from your photos that you have a new camera.
Lisa you are amazing… your art is amazing… We want you to take time for yourself…but we think that is exactly what you do with your art! Want a ride to Mindo?
Yes.
It is always going somewhere…
I am very sorry to year about your friend, Joe. Please keep aware of his health……… It sounds like your work habits (creating) are very much like mine. I often fall asleep at my computer. Blessings to you. Thanks for being you.
This was utterly beautiful Lisa, your words, your photos, your artwork. You have such a gift that you so generously share with those around you. I hope you have a restful Easter weekend.
You are just an amazing artist! I love solitude, I love water (maybe because I’m a Pisces!) and I just love your mural for Restaurante de Punto de Victor! A great post.
thank you! yes, water is surely your element and it gives you comfort! you’d enjoy the soothing environment of where i live!
Thank you for the inspiration, Z. I’ll try not to be interrupted (too often).
yes, we need a balance.. quiet creative time, and time for society.. many times those two don’t overlap well, though at other times they merge well!
and we wonder why some people don’t understand the psyche of an artist?!
Amazing post! Thanks, Z. You live in three beautiful world: the one outside your house on the river, the other in your head, and the third in your work. Happy Easter!
such a great comment, hugh! thank you, and yes, you are right! thanks for pointing that out to me! z
A new camera! Wonderful. It is a gift to be able to enjoy uninterrupted solitude and to be creative in that time. So many run away from solitude, as if it is to be feared.
i’ve really enjoyed this new camera! now i have way too many reference photos for nature studies! when will i ever sleep?
i saw headlines last week of severe flooding in your area. i hope that all is better…
z
All well thanks but, yes, floods again!
the new camera has been so much fun.. now i’m stalking the birds and loving the challenges!
give me solitude – it’s like a tonic for the soul!
It certainly is.
Nothing better than an ‘uninterrupted solitude’. The perfect ‘reboot’! So happy you enjoyed this experience, Z! 🙂
‘reboot’ – so true! thanks for giving me a great smile!
z
Z, you have to love an artist who quotes Tesla. I love the theme of your post and especially the line about silence being the best conversation. Give me a rocking chair or a swinging hammock overlooking the birds and water and I am in heaven. I am glad you were inspired and shared your inspiration. Happy Easter. BTG
your first comment made me chuckle! thank you! he was a brilliant person!
it’s funny, i have always enjoyed having hammocks but rarely spend time relaxing in them! i’m usually perched on the railing as i watch the birds!
z
Z, you are like my wife in that regard. She has created all of these sitting places around our yard, but she won’t sit down to enjoy them. She sits for a few minutes and then she sees another project and off she goes. BTG
yesterday i worked in the yard all day (after returning from the cloud forest).. i pondered clearing an area for a hammock and thought, ‘silly woman! when will you ever take time to enjoy a hammock in the yard?’
but the view is a nice one, and when the rainy season is over, i think i’ll put one in that spot. a little primitive stool or a perch on the steps is more my style…
The depth and beauty of your creativity is boundless! What you describe sounds almost like a state of mania, but you seem undisturbed ad wholly comfortable and at peace. Pure magic.
As much time as I spend alone, hoarding my solitude and quiet, I should be the most creative person on the planet. Even minus the splendid output that your solitude brings, I still wouldn’t forfeit my quiet time without a fight. It’s immensely restorative.
you are so sweet and kind to share your thoughts about my work/my life and then allow us to peer into your soul as well. yes, watching those birds, observing nature will certainly ground anyone! i’m very lucky to have that ‘out my backdoor!’
i’m also lucky to have you in my corner! thanks!
z
The feeling is mutual, Z. The Internet is an amazing frustrating invention. Fortunately, for me the amazing outweighs the frustrating. I’m lucky to have much better connectivity than you do.
I would love to be in that queue of visitors you have that find their way to your gate/door Lisa. How did you find such a heavenly spot to live in? Not many places have that perfect solitude in the world today, it has to be searched for and cherished when it is found. That 9 foot mural oozes peace and tranquillity. I’m sure it will make a visit to the restaurant for a meal a very special occasion once it is installed.
and i would love to look up and see you and jack walking through the gate! what a great reunion that would be!!!!
thank you amiga!
Beautiful, yes I’ve done the same . It then extends to a meditating state when I hear my inner voice ” Be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10
Have a wonderful Easter amiga. He is risen!
thank you so much; yes, one feels very close to God when alone in nature. z
Every word of this post made me feel I was in the presence of a multi talented artist.
You brought it all alive the experience the of joy, sorrow and life in all its facets.
The words the photos and the musicians and I felt sadness for your friend.
Lisa your post made me realised it takes dedication and perseverance as well as talent to achieve anything great.
,
jack, your comment is so sensitive and kind! thank you so much; you touched my heart! z
Your blog has shown me the kind of person you are.
By the appreciation you have for nature, the beauty you see in those smiling, hard-working people you photograph and the music. You lead by example Lisa putting your heart into all you do. I tell people when they do good and try to remain silent at other times.
So lovely!!
thank you!
I always love your posts! 🙂
ditto here.. not having internet at home, i often open pages and read them offline at home.. i did that w/you last one – cuba where you took the mototaxi instead of the taxi… great post!
z
Thanks Lisa! So are you meeting Terri from Rewind and Retired in Nicaragua? I know she and her husband are coming to Ecuador and meeting bloggers. I bet she is amazing!
the mural is beautiful
great post amiga
thank YOU amiga! i need to do a little ‘tweak’ to the point to get the perspective right from that site!
Lisa,
So many memories of you linger at Refugio de los Angeles.
Signs, rocks, recipes, paintings on found objects. All who visit enjoy
your gifts. I look forward to sitting in the restaurant where your beautiful
mural now resides sharing your company with compadres.
Pray Refugio passes to another who will love her as much as we.
Can’t wait to see youxxxcis
thanks cis! yes, your refugio is a true refuge, and that labyrinthine is quite the tonic for any soul! i’m there in spirit, as is anyone who has spent time there!
z
Pingback: Immerse Yourself in a Forest for Better Health | The Balsamean