Endemics at the Artist’s Nest — Acrylic
“Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn’t really do it, they just saw something.” Steve Jobs
With great pleasure, I’d like to introduce you to seven new feathered friends that have given me great joy! They can definitely be classified as ‘endemic” and are quite rare; they thrive in a very petite ecosystem in Mindo Ecuador.
Only one of these hybrid species has a name; the Purple-crested Puffball might be petite, but it is a bundle of perpetual energy. The rest are waiting for names, and I hope that some of you will help with suggestions!
1. This little blue and green stinker started it all! The original plan was for a simple design of whimsical cartoon hummingbirds spaced along a straight limb. Simple. Fast. The firstborn quickly morphed from a basic shape with colors to a perky bird in a sparkling costume! 2. The little bird that anchors the corner has the body of a sparrow, and a beak designed for a special yet-to-be-created flower!
Suggestions for #1 or #2?
#3. This has the body of a White-necked Jacobin (Hummingbird) but has facial markings characteristic of a Hermit, also a hummer.
#3.
#4. This little Green Thorntail grew a longer beak and a fun little crest!
#4…..
#5. A petite Bananaquit hopped into the scene, changed attire and grew a much-longer beak. #6. The Ringed Kingfisher has unique colors and a much-different bill. Another trip to the salon might result with a shaggier crest as well as green highlights — or should the highlights be purple?
#5.
#6.
#7. The Purple-crested Puffball rules the perch, and the entire mixed flock watches over the stairway that leads to the Artist’s Nest.
Your suggestions are greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Delightful as always! The Jobs quote reminds me of Arthur Koestler’s analysis of creativity. He thinks the creative monument (the “eureka” moment) comes when two independent matrices suddenly intersect. It happens in art, mathematics, science, and other imaginative arenas as well. It really defies explanation, but the results are always surprising — to one and all.
Thank you, Hugh! That’s a great description of that ‘eureka’ moment… it’s something that just ‘happens’ as if by magic…
Both you and Hugh might be interested in this article by Jonah Lehrer on “The Eureka Moment”. It helped me find some ways to deal with those times when things just don’t “fit” properly, and also helped me to develop my own creative impulses.
One caution; Lehrer went through some bad times, thanks to some cases of plagiarism on his part. Still, the article is interesting and helpful.
Buenos dias, and thank you for a great dose of conversation this morning! I’ve opened the pages and will be back later today to read and listen!
Am in Jama – goodness, so much in limbo here, but also positive stories in progress….
Wow, you are a genius! They look stunning! Amazing how skilled you are. So detailed! Wow, again!
thank you! yes, it’s hours and hours and hours of experience that eventually leads to those magic hours of creation…
I think it is like with everything we are passionate for: We lose the sense for time and just get lost in what we are doing! Your work is the visible proof! 💖
I’m with Hugh…but would like to add that the “eureka” moment also has a wee bit (or a lot) of cheekyness involved, too! I think you know what I mean…XORaye
Yes, you’re right… after several ‘fortnights’of years, the process of creating art is as natural as breathing.. perhaps that’s the secret – just to let it happen, and it does, as we remove the ego from the room and allow the art to speak… thank you!
Nonononononono! It’s the healthy ego that’s so important for creation. Without it, none of us can say, “This is how I see the world — this is my interpretation, and my gift to you.” You can’t pull art away from the artist — ever.
My. Aren’t I the assertive one this morning? But I’m really convinced of this, and have been for years. Learning to say “I” is a first step toward artistic responsibility: claiming our words, our images, our art, as a product of our lives, and our interaction with the world.
Now. If only we could get some of our politicians to claim responsibility for what they create….
Here’s a better explanation and some context — a post I wrote called “The I’s Have It”.
And here’s a question I’ve been thinking about: how can we have the confidence to pursue our vision of the world, if we don’t have a strong, healthy sense of self. It’s the “healthy” that’s key, of course. The egomaniacs running loose in our world today aren’t even close to having a healthy ego. Or so I think.
Wow… These are so special Lisa.. Just love them all.. And let me think about some names and come back later.. 🙂
^Y0u can definitely relate to how the painting takes over, and the personalities develop their own voices!
I can indeed..:-) and I have still not got around to thinking of names.. The only two that come to mind at the moment for two of them are..
Wing-Winkler Warbler for 2 And how about Hobbit Hummer for 3 .. Not as good as the suggestions another follower has made lol .. And yes we get lost within our creations for sure These are brilliant by the way xxx ❤
What a beautiful painting! 1. Blue-crested Dolly (Parton) 2. Blue-billed O’Keefe 3. Jacob’s Hermit 4. Blue-billed Mandinka (From Mr. T’s hairdo) 5. Suede-breasted Sapsucker 6. White-collared King 7. Gold Dust Scimitar
I peeked at the comments late last night after reaching the coast and checking into my friend’s hostal.. wow, your comment gave me a great smile – or seven great smiles! you’re hired for associate creative directora if these ‘personalities’ take flight and find their way to a larger audience!
Oh Dear Lisa — you remind me so much of a dear one here — an 18-year old who spends her days in creation mode, no matter if what she is doing appears to be “mundane” tasks. For her, there is no such category. I really get what Jobs meant when he described the process as “connecting things.” I have experienced such myself at times. However, some people have more capacity for continual connecting that others.
Just when I think that you have a house full of art, you floor me with yet another perfectly conceived and executed work of art.These birds are alive now in all our minds and hearts. And how stunning is the blue frame against the white walls and with the bamboo railing! Brava Amiga! With such appreciation, Alia
Please extend my greetings to that gifted 18 year old friend.. I suspect that she is discovering that she needs ‘down time’ to reconnect/ground.. a bit like recharing batteries… there’s a balance for sure, otherwise i think that highly-creative people can exhaust themselves… ask her if she sometimes affects light bulbs, elevator buttons, car windows, watch batteries?
HaHa! She’s a bit like the “Energizer Bunny!” But she does have a very special sanctuary for a living space and retreats there often. Tonight, she’s debuting as our DJ for our First Saturday monthly ecstatic dance! She’s amazing! She does everythng! Well, I haven’t actually seen her fix cars yet but it would not surprise me if she did. HaHa
Will pass along your greetings. I turned her onto your blog and she loves it. Hugs, Alia
Share photos soon!!!!
A Vision, where nothing’s lost in Translation…lovely invention. I work with Wall Ornamentation on my pieces of paint in 3D these days, sketching left all but behind.
but that creative mind never rests!!!! thank you for your support!
Thank you for reminding me that creativity belongs to everyone and that the benchmark of an artist is not comparison, but participation. There have been many people in my life who have been the catalyst prompting me to explore artistic endeavour in my daily interactions. You have been one of those individuals. Without community, art and beauty wither. Celebrating togetherness.
Yes, and the community and the artists thrive when there’s an easy flow between everyone. I a witnessing the ‘community’ effect today, as i returned last night to the earthquake area on the coast… ‘Togetherness’ is at work here, and that’s probably the secret to staying happy, even when life gives you horrible earthquakes….
thank you as well for your genuine support!
Love these playful renderings of yours, Lisa. Wish there was a magic wand to click them into reality. Looking forward to seeing the imaginings of flora to match these wonderful long bills.
Yes, i would be fun to see these aves come to life! They’d be upset with me if I’d not provided food and lodging as well!
I so enjoyed your pretty little birds today! Madge
Thank you so much for that unexpected smile from afar!!!!
Reblogged this on Inspire and commented:
I found this article to be very interesting. I agree. As artists there are times when the piece we are working on morphs from what we had in mind to what the final piece finally becomes.
Thank you for your positive feedback and for sharing with your circle as well!
wow beautiful! birds are such an inspiration
thanks, and these were so much fun to paint!
This is so much fun. I looked up all the names of the hummimgbirds and I was surprised that there were many named after mangoes. Lol Since your first whimsical hummer started your creative connections, it should be named after you. Lisa’s fluffy hoofer. It reminds me of a dancer wrapped in feathery boas.
the fluffy hoofer! ha, that’s a fun one, and i can picture that fluffy bird with very long boa! thanks!!!
Nice going. These species are the first I’ve encountered that are endemic in the Land of the Mind(o).
Always enjoying those word connections, you find joy in man’s ability to communicate – no matter which language! Thanks!
You just made me realize that no other English word rhymes with language (except for offshoots like slanguage and interlanguage). Spanish does just a little better: the only rhyme I’ve found for lengua is mengua (and its compound amengua).
lengua/mengua – ja, that’s funny!
Lovely work. Inspirational.
Thank you! It was a fun ‘series’ of birds, which inspired more ideas!
On the last photo of the ‘hanging’ I note a Perch, which I think would look lovely with a living Parrot of Primary Colors, overlooking your Rain Forest clutch of beauties. Can I get a Squawk*?
^You are right! A colorful parrot would make a great character for that stage! the parrot would be perched in front of that heliconia painting: https://playamart.wordpress.com/2017/01/19/timeout-for-art-when-there-is-no-timeout-for-art/
Gorgeous and living invention upon the Moment..,filling out the Potential in 3D…love it!
I admire your work of art, Z, again and again!
The respect is mutual! Thanks!
The birds are pure delight, Lisa. I have to say the kingfisher brings an extra smile, but I never would name a favorite. I enjoyed seeing the whole group of them together — I suspect they make you smile every time you see them. The little green thorntail looks as though it’s thinking, “Who is this woman,and what is she going to do to me next?
Beautiful! I love the colors in this.
Gorgeous Lisa! 🙂
Vow, those are gorgeous birds. Didn’t know you had this kind of endemic birds. Looks like they could all be in family with hummingbirds, not only a couple of them. Your painting is beautiful.
Ha! They are ‘make-believe’ birds! Thank you, I’m glad they caught your attention! Next will be ‘designing’ botanicals to pair with the beaks!
You certainly fooled me. 🙂