“April 10, 1824. I was introduced to the son of Lucien Bonaparte, nephew of Napoleon, a great ornithologist, I was told. He remained two hours, went out, and returned with two Italian gentlemen, and their comments made me very contented.” That evening he was taken to the Philosophical Academy[32] where the drawings were greatly admired…” – (from AUDUBON AND HIS JOURNALS – 1897)
Ecuador – The Museo Portoviejo exposition nears the end and presents a new challenge; what will I do with all of these children?!!!!
For a last-minute tour, here’s a slideshow:
Alas, nature beckons and prompts me to continue, so I observe – and I paint! Unlike Audubon, I have an advantage of a camera – but with most every study I wish to have a live (or preserved) bird for more-precise reference material.
“July 19th (1824) – Young Harris, God bless him, looked at the drawings I had for sale, and said he would take them all, at my prices. I would have kissed him, but that it is not the custom in this icy city.” (Audubon and His Journals)
(The above quote gave me a great chuckle; I hope that you enjoyed it as well!)
“Nesting” – Common Tody Flycatchers – Watercolor by Lisa Brunetti
The Common Tody Flycatcher study joins a growing sanctuary of originals! So many beautiful birds! Feeling like a mix between Audubon and Van Gogh, I wonder, “Shall I tuck the originals under my arms and peddle them in Europe?!!!”
“January 18. (1828) – This afternoon I took a cab and with my portfolio went to Mr. Children’s. I cannot, he tells me, take my portfolio on my shoulder in London as I would in New York, or even tenacious Philadelphia.”
(Audubon and His Journals)
With the growing collection of feathered watercolors, I hesitate to part with them. A much-larger project, “One Bird at a Time,” moves forward – one bird at a time!
Smooth-billed Anis – Watercolor by Lisa Brunetti
(The Smooth-billed Anis have a home in Colorado, but they might have to wait for better weather to fly there!)
Zeebra Designs & Destinations 
A wonderful analogy and nod to the past. Interesting thought about having the benefit of a camera, something that we are take for granted.
Even with photos, I reach ‘gray’ areas where the details are not clear. Having ‘bird in hand’ would make a huge difference in getting those details correct, like the feet or details of the eye or shape of the bill. Thank you as always!
Many thanks for your vibrant posts.
Amazing water colours and interesting quotes, Lisa!
Thank you! Wouldn’t Audubon have cherished the convenience of digital cameras?!
♥
I believe I have said it before: you help us to see the world anew! Thank you again!
Thank you, Hugh. How’s the weather up there? When I think of snow/winter, I remember that winter when you shared images of the snow, as did my niece in Arkansas. Brrr! Here the rains continue; yesterday ‘no hay luz’ – no power, but by dark it was all ok again – and lows around 70; highs about 85. poor me!
Good to see your art hanging where the public can view it. Believe me you and the birds are better off using a camera than killing them and mounting to pain them like Audubon did.
Yes, you are so right, but I’ll bet if he had the convenience of a camera, maybe so many species would not have been sacrificed. But again, we roll back to the culture and the times, when hunting was the accepted method – even if ‘chest beating’ played a role in many hunts. I still marvel that the passenger pigeons could have been wiped out so fast….
I think even with a camera Audubon would have continued his dissections. His was not the wholesale destruction of species, but the examination of individuals in order to understand their musculature, the linkages of the skeletons, and so on. I have no doubt that Audubon respected his specimens far more than many in today’s world, who either don’t see the birds as anything but nuisances, and who dish entire populations erased for human convenience. After all — doctors don’t learn anatomy by looking at photos of humans.
What would be “wish entire populations…”
Hello Lisa: Awesome exhibition. Stephen
Thank you, Stephen!
Thank you for the beauty your air brings into my life.
Alison xo
I love your work, amiga and I can understand not wanting to part with it!!!! Missed visiting… been away for too long, again! 😉 xoxoxo
Hope all is going well in our own world, your muy especial show!
It all went well, my muy especial amiga!!!!!! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
🙂
Oh my, I can feel Audubon channeling himself through your hands and keen eye on the flycatchers and anis. Amazing. But the slide show, oh my how you brighten a space! Your work fairly leaps off the walls and floors of the gallery.
Thank you for such kind and genuine words, and forgive me for taking so long to give a proper thanks! Seriously – thank you!!!
No worries, my friend. I have no idea how you do such an amazing job of keeping up with the blog community, given your physical community paired with enormous cyber difficulties.
because kind and good people like you are worth it!
Lisa, you are on a roll. I think your work just gets better and better. The composition of the Tody Flycatchers is fantastic, the colors are subtle and beautiful, the birds themselves full of life and personality. The ani’s make a striking graphic statement on those curving branches. (Did I ever tell you I found a Groove-billed ani on an island off the coast of Georgia back int he70’s? I was very into birding and couldn’t believe my eyes – the state didn’t even have a single record of that bird at the time). Anyway, I’m thrilled to see these, and also glad you included the slideshow, because it reflects the breadth of your work. I enjoyed the Audubon quotes too – but it is your amazing work that’s shining the brightest here!
I am usually a punctual person, but not having internet at home keeps me in perpetual ‘catch-up’ mode! Suffice to say that I appreciate all of your feedback and the random trivia about mutual interests.
It would be interesting to see how many Groove-billed Anis have been reported in Georgia since your sighting. It’s great that Cornell/ebird have such easy-to-use options for gleaning details.
Thank you again for your positive feedback about my work;
OH! to see your paintings in person! Yet even a glimpse through a computer screen brings such joy.
You are right.. nothing compares to seeing art in person! Thank you amiga!
Lees, loved seeing your and pictures. You have such a gift in sharing your
love of nature with others. I don’t understand why you did not sell everything you showed!!! Our hearts are with you always. Kate
Dear Kate! I hoped to write you last night, and then there was no internet at the hostal! With the new shows ahead, it’s good (now on retrospect) that the entire series is intact… the show was very popular and well received, so bottom line, it’s thumbs up!
Just loved seeing your art hanging in the gallery again and your painting of the Common Tody Flycatchers in their nest WOW… I admired it before on your slide.. But seeing it in detail is wonderful work, as all of your paintings are Lisa..
Loved one bird at a time ❤
My dear Sue! Forgive me for taking so long to acknowledge your genuine and much-appreciated feedback. It’s nice having you as a mirror on the far side of the pond, and it’s always good to swap ideas – and to acknowledge that we’re often aligning with the same attitudes and concerns.
Your yard will soon be bursting with colors, and I look forward to seeing how you evolve out of this long and challenging winter. For sure, your incubation times result in powerful feedback for us!
I am so glad I found your post. Wonderful read and your art is just amazing. Captures the essence of each bird.
Thank you! I’ve had about a month off from painting and it’s time to get back to serious mode! So many birds, and so many paintings – I sometimes wonder why keep painting – but itls like asking a bird to stop singing!
😊