“… Blacks and Native Americans share one thing. Native Americans had their land stolen, and their culture systematically crushed. Blacks – it’s the opposite; they were stolen from their land, and they had their culture systematically crushed. We can’t begin to imagine what it takes to come back from that…” – Greg Iles – excerpt from 2017/National Writers Series interview –
About a year ago the National Writers Series interviewed Greg Iles about his new book, Mississippi Blood. Last night while working on a pencil drawing, and the discussions about racism in Mississippi provide timely insight.
Start at minute 55 and listen until for five minutes, and decide if you want to start at the beginning.
For the past eight days I’ve been visiting the nearby park as often as possible – to record the rapid growth of five Purple Gallinule ‘chicklets.’
Here is a (slideshow) peek at those precious babies:
With ample reference material, I prepared mentally to paint this beautiful species. Going through the hundreds of photos, I grasp tidbits of information about the birds – understanding the nuances of behavior or the tilt of the head. Eventually it’s as if I know my subject extremely well. It’s a bit like an incubation – and Greg addresses that same process in the interview. When the time is right, BAM – you’re off and going at full throttle. My only wish during that intense burst of creative energy (focus?) is that nothing stops the process until the work is finished. Returning to a ‘cold’ work is difficult; the essence evaporates.
This study is different however, but if possible even more intense! Instead of drawing the outlines in pencil and then switching to paint, I am using a 4B pencil for a pencil portrait of the baby gallinules.
Last night I worked from 6 pm until midnight, took a short break and resumed for ‘just a little bit more’ and worked until 3! In some areas I was sharpening that 4B pencil every few minutes!
So why the switch to pure pencil?
BirdWatchingDaily recently announced the Sibley Bird Watching Art Contest (the “Contest”), presented by The Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. which requested ‘a although I think that any kind of art is permitted.
I’ve so many choices – and the local birds seem to be competing for my attention! These waterbirds seemed to be participating in meditation week.
The official rules state:
ENTRY PERIOD: The Contest begins at 12:01 AM (Eastern Time) on May 15, 2020, and ends at 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on June 15, 2020.
HOW TO ENTER: Post an original drawing of a wild bird to Instagram using the hashtag #SibleyBirdWatchingArtContest and follow @aaknopf, @sibleyguides, and @birdwatchingmagazine, as required in the applicable Contest announcement.
The drawing must be your original artwork and can use any medium, including digital. …
The rules state, “Post an original drawing” yet then state, “any medium,” but to me a drawing is very different from a painting. For more information, start here: Sibley BirdWatching Contest
Today I returned for a few specific photos of the water hyacinth details. The little balls of Gallinule fluff have a notable change, and this precious pair seemed to be modeling their new look.
A week older and a change of attire. (Pajamas?)
The computer’s being stubborn today, and the battery is now quite weak. The pages are not loading, so hopefully the images and videos are the right ones.
Will be back in a few days with the finished drawing/drawings. So many birds, so little time. (Deadline in less than a week!)
To hear a different Southern author’s accent, one will surely smile when hearing “Miss Welty” read “Why I Live at the PO.”
“It’s going to take a long time, and it’s going to take white people admitting what we did was pretty damned bad.” – Greg Iles – 2017 National Writers Series interview
Your photos of the chicklets are adorable. What a fabulous way to spend time, Lisa. 🙂 🙂
Yes, it’s a fabulous way to spend my time in real life, but I am also taking those walks with you — and at times so wistful to be on the same trek – or walking from the opposite direction to meet you at a half-way point. I understand why you selected that area.
The ferry trip \I’ve read but have not refreshed the page to see the images. I suspect it’s going to be stunning. Plus, you often tempt me – and surely everyone else – with those desserts!
How good would that be, Lisa? Meeting for coffee and cake 🙂 🙂
I actually wrote you a long comment suggesting that – and told of long ago how a childhood friend and I would meet halfway on horseback.. usually in the fields or an abandoned railroad track – then we’d ride for a few hours – then scatter back to our homes. We lived about 3 miles apart!
Yes, I really love your landscape, the long stretches of beauty with little ‘contamination from man..’ yet also near ancient sites, lovely domestic scenes with flowers by the doors or in windows — etc… oh, and tell your husband that i am also a member of the ‘stung-lip’ club! the yellow jacket/wasp had stolen a sip of my beer (bottle) – and I was outside visiting with friends/family while critiquing a just-finished large watercolor of some nearby gardens. (azaleas and such) — that wasp stung my lip and i spit that beer across a record distance! the painting was splattered of course. my lip was swollen for at least a week!
no dessert that day!
Good grief! Mick got off lightly then 😦 😦
That gave me a chuckle! I still cover my beer – or all drinks – when outdoors!
so happy when I see an email from you…always something educational and beautiful…thanks Lisa
Gwen thank you, and I hope that you and Ed are settled and enjoying your new GPS location. Gardening and Nature are surly helping you both during these crazy times!
Gosh so much today. Love the artwork and photos. Fingers crossed on the contest. And just the other day I reread my favorite Welty story. And now to hear her is something else’
And I have been working on a blog post about prejudice and prejudice against Native Americans takes center stage.
Stay safe.
Welty’s stories are so human – and usually southern as well, but universal in appeal.
I loved that recent blog and just sent the link to a blogger (Keith) who will appreciate it.
You were quite the reader when young – and still are! Isn’t it a gift to have a love of reading, especially when one has access to good material!
Oh, I do like to read. There was a time I read ‘heavy’ books but in the past 20 years my reading tends to light reading like mysteries. About 50 years ago I discovered my favorite author, Oxford’s William Faulkner. At first I had such a hard time understanding him and I read his works very slow and then I began to understand what he was saying I read him even slower. Must be something in the water down in Mississippi to turn out such great writers.
I recently read a post about Mississippi’s Walter Anderson/bird artist, and you’ll probably appreciate the closing (as well as the entire post!)
https://www.spiritualtravels.info/spiritual-sites-around-the-world/north-america/walter-anderson-museum-of-art-in-mississippi/
You keep knocking those stories out of the ballpark! All great!
So lovely! The chiclets, and your drawing both! They remind me of the jacana chicks I saw in Kakadu National Park in Australia – very similar.
Alison
Yes, we have the ‘Wattled Jacana” which is such a funny name. It’s scientific name is ‘Jacana Jacana” – like the beginning of a chant! The Jacanas are much more skittish than the gallinules – here in the nearby park.
Hope your day is going well! Love, Lisa
Wow, what a cool bird!
Yes, it’s a stunning species and comical at times! Those babies have giant feet, but they grow fast!
Lisa, the beauty of nature and its flora and fauna, is sorely needed when its two legged occupants are such poor stewards to it and their fellow occupants. Native Americans lived off the land and celebrated it respectfully. The Africans who were stolen from theirs did the same, and were stolen and exploited for profit here. We must find and celebrate our better selves. When we ignore the teachings, we do so at our own peril. Keith
You might enjoy this new post by Don — very sensitive story about his own lineage and area history:
https://donostertag.wordpress.com/2020/06/11/prejudice-me-mendota/#respond
Thanks as always, Keith, and Happy Father’s Day!
Thanks Lisa. I look forward to watching Don’s piece. Keith
Yes, one can have sensory overload in an unhealthy way – especially a sensitive person. I am glad that I live where there as very little in the news about things in the USA or world, except most everyone is watching what’s happening now – and asking questions. Being from Mississippi, I find old wounds re-opening, yet they are more about second-hand guilt.
Thank goodness we have the always-soothing realm of nature, where we can find comfort and healing — and peace. Aren’t we lucky that a natural rx is always close at hand?!
So did you enter your drawing in the contest, Lisa? And when do you find out if it was selected?
Si! The final few days provided some really strong images from other artists – so nice to see other artists who fine tune to the birds. the contest closed this past monday, and the results will be announced at the end of the month. Thank you!
Last night at home I scrolled thru your post and took that trek.. all so lovely, the paths, the views – even the skies. You are so lucky to be able to take a short outing like that, sleeping in the tent and just being with nature and a good friend! that makes these times easier as the ‘pending’ status remains a big question mark!
The contest has closed by now and hopefully, you entered the drawing – or another one! I agree, “drawing” and “any medium” don’t quite go together. I will have to come back to see the videos – otherwise, I won’t get outside today – and one question – is the Water hyacinth native to Ecuador?
Yes, drawing to me is – well a drawing and not painterly! there are some strong works, and it’s nice to see other bird-loving folks via this option. not having a phone, it was a challenge to open and upload to instagram!!!!