
Nice idea, but the legs seemed way too weak to support the big frog. It just needed some TLC!
“But I did not want art like this; I asked for green things and frogs and butterflies….”
That’s what my friend and former neighbor Marcos said when I congratulated him on the new art on their garden wall.
The art was much better than what was previously there – a sterile concrete wall; he explained that he wanted to bring the outdoors inside, and he was disappointed in the results.
I normally dodge a request to repaint what another artist painted, but after listening to his story, and witnessing his somber mood when critiquing the art, I agreed to help via compromise; working with what was there, I’d take the art a few more steps forward.
As I worked, I shared with Marcos and Juanita that it’s often difficult for an artist to grasp what the other person wants.. it’s like stepping into a dream that belongs to someone else. If the artist has never painted life-like images, and they specialize in another style, it’s difficult to do the work. No longer is the art springing forth from the soul; it’s tempered by thinking about what the other person wants. With one eye on the work, the other is tweaked toward the ‘client’ – so there’s already a problem to stay focused and dedicated to the best job.
It was well done – well painted, and the colors were pleasant; the person who painted it was no longer in the country and he doubted if she’d be back.
While working on the frog, I noted that Marcos had other plans; he wanted the ‘window’ to be wider, and with a few swipes of paint, the old image vanished… uh-oh, my tasks just doubled in size! He seemed thrilled with the progress, I handed him brushes and paint, and slowly his entire spirit transformed. Enjoy the slide show:
I helped until time to leave with the final load of items from the apartment and make that seven-hour drive back to Poza Honda. Unfortunately the trees had not magically grown back, and the area had been somewhat cleared; every so often someone burned piles of debris, and each time I was lucky to be upwind from the burns.
One burn went out of control and came very close to where I live. The image below was taken from the dam as I drove for an internet session. Want to find the house? Just follow the smoke. 😦
When I returned, a young man stopped me at the dam gates. He showed me a video on his phone and explained that it was his mother’s property. He seemed quite remorseful about the fire that continued to burn – and creep closer to the house.
The wind was in our favor, and by ten that night, the fire seemed to be finished. (I’ve learned that the owner was fined, but yesterday the sound of a saw resumed. This time they were cutting higher on the property; with the now-vanished buffer of bamboo, trees and vines, sound seems to get dumped directly into the house!)
A bit fearful to view the burn site in person, I waited a few days until my friend Xiomara arrived from Quito. Xio’s lifelong work has been devoted to protecting the forests, writing environmental plans, educating students, employees, villages – for example, taking water samples and sharing with the locals why their water is pure – or explains why it is not. “Look up,” she will say, and either a natural forest guards the ridges – or pastures soil the water supply.

The fire site
From the house we heard the sound of the chain saw, so we hurried to the site.
We had a nice visit with the workers who were just ‘doing their job,’ yet she also found ways to explain about the importance of the natural ecosystem. She shared my concern about the heavy and un-regulated use of 2,4-D pesticides for ‘Hojas Anchas/Broad leaves” in pasture; they really paid attention when she mentioned a connection with sterility in men. Just beyond where they are working, balsa trees are still curling from applications made in early May. (Global Big Day)…

A young and healthy Balsa

Two months later, even the balsa flowers are curling in the tops of the mature trees.
For almost two months, the Variable Seedeaters have been absent from this seed-dense pasture area. I’ve been worried, but yesterday a few showed up. It was great to see them; hopefully the chemical residue dangers have passed.
Through all of this, I paint – sometimes it’s hard.

Squirrel Cuckoo
And a study in progress:
The Nomadas en Ecuador show will most likely open August 15. My solo show opens on November 15 and goes through January 15. More on the shows next time online.
again…pictures are amazing and I love your story of trying to bring to life someone else idea…reminds me of a story of edmund’s brothers talking…one said you were in my dream last night…and the other said…NO I WASN:T and the first was like YES: you were…and the second would not be convinced (they were kids but still kinda funny)
love you Lisa.
Your artwork is always a delight. Thanks so much.
and love that study in progress
My heart aches at seeing your forest disappearing…
Your art always fills me with joy. Love what you did to the frog.
Alison
Such a beautiful world you help to create with your art. 🙂 🙂 Hugs, Lisa!
As always your art is so beautiful and inspiring. I thought 2-4D pesticide had been banned world wide. Knowing the effects from its use I’m surprised it is still available
Where do you start? By strengthening the goodness which is already there, it seems to me. And by showing new ways to solve a problem, to communicate a vision.
Sis, loved the art work. Sad to see them destroy that beautiful vegetation & land. My heart hurts for you. Still don’t know exactly where you are or what airport/city one flies to when then come to visit. Love ya, Pat
I can understand what you mean about the difficulty of an artist seeing the dream of a client, but you handled that quite well. I’m sorry to read about the fires and devastation, but happy to read that your friend could at least communicate some good ideas to workers who are, yes, only doing their jobs. Both sadness and joy in this post. 🙂 Looking forward to reading more about the show.
janet
Great pictures Lisa. I can understand the difficulty of stepping into someone else’s dream as you say. Very clever frog though. We are also experiencing many fires in California, none of which show signs of being under control. So many people losing homes and thousands of acres burned.
Z, the guys just doing their job, unfortunately are the ones who take the heat for the bosses’ decisions. Thanks for the pictures on the wall and of the fauna and flora. Keith
Sounds exciting Lisa! nice to hear from you!
so sad seeing the habitat being destroyed, photos are great and love the painting. WE plan on going to PV for the show in August and definitely will be there for yours 🙂
Such a mixture. The Good: your art, your photos, your friends. The Bad: the fire. The Ugly: deforestation, pesticide.
There is nothing better than to see your beautiful art Lisa. I love the building wall art – talk about living with nature inside and out, it’s perfect. Your bird study, is gorgeous – delicate feathers, so life-like – it brings a smile to my face to see your work again. Very sorry to read about the fires, it’s scary to be so close and watching the destruction. Best wishes for your show in the Fall, no doubt the patrons will enjoy the true beauty of your creativity. Good to see you again Lisa!
“As I worked, I shared with Marcos and Juanita that it’s often difficult for an artist to grasp what the other person wants.. it’s like stepping into a dream that belongs to someone else.” What a wonderful way to explain the “artist’s dilemma.” It is something that I have been considering when I look at modern art, which I have found difficult in some cases to understand; perhaps I am challenged by the message. I have come to believe art is a nod to what is and what is to come. How can I stand in judgment, if I have not taken the time to understand the artist’s dream. If I lived during Vincent Van Gogh’s and Monet’s time, would I have considered their exquisite work to be inconsequential. “You can understand nothing about art, particularly modern art, if you do not understand that imagination is a value in itself. Milan Kundera. I love stopping by your place – you inspire my imagination.
I love how you transformed the anemic froggie. And the expression you blessed him with is priceless. I also like the beginnings of the Squirrel Cuckoo. What a moniker!
I cannot imagine the pain of watching the jungle disappear.
And I love your Squirrel Cuckoo!
That frog you started with reminded me of an old man — big belly, spindly legs. I would have put black socks and sandals on him, and laughed my head off every time I looked at him. I probably would even have even encouraged him to “Plunk his magic twanger — Froggie!” You do remember that, don’t you?
Your art brings me great joy Lisa. It helps me to get through the hot summer days in So. Cal. The fires in California have been so devastating this year.
Oh Lisa, I’m so sorry to hear about the fire and the pesticides. One can only hope that MAYBE a few people will begin to question what they are doing when they apply those pesticides, and think about the long term. An uphill battle. The news about your shows is great though!! 🙂 Can’t wait to hear more.
I have been contemplating a comment you wrote to me several days ago, but I am reticent to respond to the post there given some of the people who follow me. Consequently I came to your site instead, and the title of this post spoke to my heart. I was certain that your words would follow suit, but frankly the title could have been “Spaghetti-O’s and Shovels” and I would have loved it. 😉 My first comments are about this post.
I absolutely rejoiced at the transformation of that frog! The owner’s joy at the change was palpable, too. You are brilliant my friend! As for the felling of the trees, well, you know my sentiments on that. Also a very palpable feeling but not one I desire. I take great comfort knowing people like you who are living examples of hope. You put so much good and kindness back into the world. and remind me to remember to always do my part, too.
And that leads me to your comments on my post. I feel deeply called to embrace the right-brained parts of my persona – creating art and design, beauty and nature photography, blog and fun poetry writing, educating people about overcoming depression, encouraging people to invite nature back into their lives, etc. I want to burst free from my cage and take my whole crew with me to the ends of the Earth (quite literally).
I just don’t know how to make that happen. I believe in endless possibilities and know that the universe will make a path if I’m willing to get on board, but how do I that? My job is not optional, my salary is not negligible, and we are two decades away from having kids out of school. I don’t need to live in opulence, but my family isn’t ready for a full life overhaul or reboot either. I feel caught in the day to day, but I also believe that incredible and wonderful change is in the air. Nevertheless I am reticent to write these things or even to say these things. Lucky you getting a nine page comment in response! 😉 Sincere apologies for the diatribe, but I have a sense that a part of you from years ago would understand these sentiments. Big hugs! Jo
My dear Jo! I am at the cyber and will be going (one hour) to the city where the museum is – run errands and return home tonight. i’ll be online several times – til the computer battery dies – before reaching home.
later today i’ll copy this comment and save to a word document then edit the second half, leaving the first part as the comment.
feel free to write via emails… tzeebra@yahoo.com — i use for personal correspondence, and feel free to write as often as needed! sometimes a neutral ‘ear’ helps – I have friends who have visited and then returned to their life in the states and said, ‘i’m not sure what you did, but i now have clarity.’ — i think it’s that they were able to disconnect from warring ‘demands’ on their daily lives, and in doing so, they got in touch with their inner voices…
consider me the neutral tia who lives on the equator! (i’m so glad that you know spanish!!!!)
I’ll write you a worthy reply to this while offline and email the next time online!
love, lisa