• Critiques and Testimonials
  • INSPIRATION – While the World Outside My Window Goes Insane
  • THE UNDERTOW
  • Esta Casa Es Loca!
  • Right-clicking Images from Websites, Pinterest and Google

Zeebra Designs & Destinations

~ An Artist's Eyes Never Rest

Zeebra Designs & Destinations

Category Archives: PAINTING WORKSHOPS: “I CAN DO THIS!”

The Lovely Masked Water-Tyrant

22 Friday Mar 2019

Posted by Playamart - Zeebra Designs in INSPIRATION, NATURE, One Bird At A Time, PAINTING WORKSHOPS: "I CAN DO THIS!", PAINTINGS: WATERCOLORS, TIMEOUT FOR ART - Quotes, TRAVEL: LATIN AMERICA

≈ 36 Comments

Tags

Ecuador art, Masked Water Tyrant, One Bird At A Time, poza honda ecuador, Watercolor of birds

P2410579 MASKED WATER TYRANT

Masked Water-Tyrant – Fluvicola nengeta

“I never for a day gave up listening to the songs of our birds, or watching their peculiar habits, or delineating them in the best way I could. ” John James Audubon

Poza Honda Ecuador – These highly-active and perpetually-happy Masked Water-Tyrants served as good-will ambassadors in every location I’ve lived in Ecuador.  Attired year ’round in crisp white and black/brown, they chirp, chatter, dance and build nests – always near the water.   At Casa Loca along Rio Jama, they foraged along the mud flats at low tide;  in Mindo they nested in locations just above the water, and now at Poza Honda they thrive in an ever-changing playground of water hyacinths.

P2480866 masked water tyrant reflections

While I worked on the Common Tody Flycatcher study, the Water-Tyrants tolerated my presence;  ignoring the artist, they frolicked and provided ample poses for my growing collection of photos.      Painting these birds would be challenging yet rewarding.

P2480433 masked water tyrants watercolor stage one

Masked Water Tyrants – Watercolor in progress by Lisa Brunetti

Working at night from reference photos, I also worked during the day by the water’s edge.    The bi-polar moods of the weather often sent me scampering up the hill to protect the painting!

P2490120 masked water tyrant watercolor y rain

Just as I began the watercolor wash, the skies began to baptize the painting!

Within a week, water levels leaped to maximum levels, which brought those handsome birds (and the invasive water hyacinths) closer and closer to the human’s turf.  They provided a grand assortment of poses – as if to benefit no one except the human that studied them!  Continue reading →

Advertisement

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Timeout for Art – ES Coffee Timeout Project

16 Thursday Oct 2014

Posted by Playamart - Zeebra Designs in INSPIRATION, PAINTING WORKSHOPS: "I CAN DO THIS!", PAINTINGS: ACRYLIC, TIMEOUT FOR ART - Quotes

≈ 28 Comments

Tags

ESCoffee, Group Projects, Painting projects, teamwork, Timeout for Art

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

“ES Coffee – Be Part of It!”

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Old logo waxing out – New Logo of red coffee cherry waning in…

“It is much more rewarding to get to the top of the mountain and share your experience with others than to show up by yourself, exhausted.” ― -Shandel Slaten

After a three-day search, American Airlines located my missing luggage on Tuesday, and I found myself with a free afternoon in Guayaquil (Ecuador). A quick check with Miguel Rendon of EScoffee confirmed that he was in town, so I popped in to say, “Hi” and talk about coffee and art.

Little did we know that an impromptu art session was in our future! After a quick dash to the local art store, Miguel and I returned with acrylic paints, brushes and two painter’s pallets. Half an hour later, the entire staff took a Timeout for Art! Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Walk First, Then Hop & Skip & Jump!

18 Thursday Jul 2013

Posted by Playamart - Zeebra Designs in Ecuador, INSPIRATION, PAINTING WORKSHOPS: "I CAN DO THIS!", PAINTINGS: ACRYLIC, PEOPLE, TIMEOUT FOR ART - Quotes

≈ 39 Comments

Tags

art projects on vacatoin, Canoa Ecuador, Group Painting Projects, John and Mary McDonald, Lisa Brunetti art, Painting projects, Timeout for Art

P1780928 john mary lisa iguana

John, Mary and I worked on the drawing while having dinner at the Surf Shack in Canoa Ecuador!

Traveling one hour down the coastal road to Canoa Ecuador, I met my friends John and Mary  who had traveled about the same distance from the other direction.  John and Mary and I were celebrating their anniversary as well as birthdays.   We had planned to squeeze in a few drawing sessions, but they weren’t expecting a painting session!

Following up on last night’s post, I am pleased to present this photo update! Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

“You Can Do This!’

28 Friday Jun 2013

Posted by Playamart - Zeebra Designs in INSPIRATION, PAINTING WORKSHOPS: "I CAN DO THIS!", PAINTINGS: ACRYLIC, PEOPLE, TRAVEL: LATIN AMERICA

≈ 59 Comments

Tags

art instruction, i can do this painting workshops, Lisa Brunetti art, self confidence through painting, wp daily prompt Learning

Lise, visiting from France, paused while  working on her first Ï Can Do This" painting!

Lise, visiting from France, paused while working on her first Ï Can Do This” painting!

Lise's Hands - Costa Rica

Lise’s Hands – Costa Rica – “I Can Do This” Painting Workshop

This week’s WP Daily Prompts seem to be tailored for me!   “Tell us a moment or an incident that you treasure  — not necessarily because it brought you happiness, but because it taught you something about yourself.

Photographers, artists, poets: show us LEARNING.” Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

The Artist’s Eye – A WP Daily Prompt

27 Thursday Jun 2013

Posted by Playamart - Zeebra Designs in PAINTING WORKSHOPS: "I CAN DO THIS!", PAINTINGS: ACRYLIC, PAINTINGS: CUSTOM DESIGNS & FLOORS, PHOTO CHALLENGES

≈ 62 Comments

Tags

acrylic paintings, group art projects, How to brighten a laundry room, I can do this painting projects, Paintings of sunflowers, WordPress Daily Prompt Art

A two-panel work of art, this painting was designed to accommodate a center light fixture.

A two-panel work of art, this painting was designed to accommodate a center light fixture.

Sarah Dettman’s friends and family helped with this Sunflower painting to help brighten a community laundry room.   It’s my pleasure to present it to all of you  out there in WordPress world! Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Helping Hands

20 Monday May 2013

Posted by Playamart - Zeebra Designs in Bodega "Magic Carpet" Project, Hand-Painted Floors, INSPIRATION, PAINTING WORKSHOPS: "I CAN DO THIS!", PAINTINGS: ACRYLIC, PAINTINGS: CUSTOM DESIGNS & FLOORS, PEOPLE, TRAVEL: LATIN AMERICA

≈ 56 Comments

Tags

Acrylic Painting, Creative Group Projects, Daily Post, Daily Prompt: Helping Hands, i can do this painting workshops, Images of Hands, Lisa Brunetti art

P1430200 cruzita nets 1

Today’s Daily Prompt states:  
Tell us about the most surprising helping hand you’ve ever received.
Photographers, show us HANDS.

Hands?  Do I ever have an assortment of images of hands!

Enjoy! Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Buen Viaje, Barbara!

13 Saturday Apr 2013

Posted by Playamart - Zeebra Designs in Bodega "Magic Carpet" Project, Hand-Painted Floors, PAINTING WORKSHOPS: "I CAN DO THIS!", PAINTINGS: ACRYLIC, PEOPLE, TRAVEL: LATIN AMERICA

≈ 29 Comments

Tags

concrete floor designs, I can do this painting workshop, jama ecuador, Life in rural Ecuador, manabi ecuador, Painting concrete floor, what to do with an ugly concrete floor

Sunset Rio Jama

Sunset Rio Jama

Approaching the midnight hour, I’m wading through photos from the past three weeks of Barb’s visit.  At times this rural life on Ecuador’s Pacific coast seems like a blend between outdoor survival school and an arts camp!   Barb  learned how to blend washes of transparent color on a painting, how to combine colors, create tromp l’oeil/fool-the-eye effects and how to use geometry to transfer a sketch to a larger surface.

Night heron with fish!

Night heron with fish!

She’s learned that the river birds chatter throughout the night, that mosquitoes will find you, (so will curious snakes and frogs!) and that the equatorial sun bites fast!  In addition to shelling fresh peas from the garden, Barbara also experienced a unique vegetable that the locals call ‘achojcha.’

Achojcha and Lima beans bask in the equatorial sunshine.

Achojcha and Lima beans bask in the equatorial sunshine.

Barb now understands that perfection in art often robs a painting of its freshness and spontaneity.  She also understands the need for breaks from intense painting sessions.   A few days ago we took a break and watched my friends harvest a shrimp pond near the Riverhouse. Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

A Hummingbird for a Hummingbird!

12 Friday Apr 2013

Posted by Playamart - Zeebra Designs in Bodega "Magic Carpet" Project, Hand-Painted Floors, PAINTING WORKSHOPS: "I CAN DO THIS!", PAINTINGS: ACRYLIC

≈ 49 Comments

Tags

acrylic paintings, art by Lisa Brunetti, Hand-painted concrete floors, I Can Do This

Searching for good squeeze bottles for the paint, we found botttles that came with free drinks!

Searching for good squeeze bottles for the paint, we found botttles that came with free drinks!

(Ecuador)

The last few days were busy ones as Barb and I worked on several projects.  Barbara is a spark plug of energy, and I dubbed her Hummingbird years ago!  She zips back and forth, requires many little feedings, recharges her batteries and continues to flit from task to task!    Although she might crash late at night, she’s cheerfully awake at dawn and resumes her high-energy embrace of each day!

Guess what we've been painting?

Guess what we’ve been painting?

While working on the bodega floor, I suggested that we halt work and switch to a painting for her home in the Republic of Panama.   No subject could trump the hummingbird theme, so after looking at many images, we combined several to create a hybrid hummingbird! Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Esta Casa Es Loca!

03 Sunday Mar 2013

Posted by Playamart - Zeebra Designs in Ecuador, PAINTING WORKSHOPS: "I CAN DO THIS!", PAINTINGS: ACRYLIC, PEOPLE, TRAVEL: LATIN AMERICA

≈ 53 Comments

Tags

Acrylic Painting, Children's Art, Group Painting Projects, Hostal Palo Santo Jama Ecuador, I Can Do This Workshop, Lisa Brunetti art, Lodging Jama Ecuador, Spirals

P1640888 palo santo

Manabi Ecuador

Last weekend, my friends from the port city of Manta visited this rural farming area of Jama for the first time. Taking a day off from responsibilities, I joined them at Hostal Palo Santo, where we rented three cabanas and enjoyed a leisurely visit in the serene garden setting. With wide-eyed wonder, young Nicolas and Natalia tested the see-saw, touched their toes to the sky from the swing set and befriended a young kitten/gatito.

P1640912 two swings

Natalia: Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice!
Nicolas: Snips and Snails and Kitty Cat Tails!

I suggested that we drive to my house to watch the sunset, and the seven of us drove the five kilometers for a comfortable end-of-day visit.   We weren’t prepared for Nicolas’ reaction!   From the moment he entered the house, he uttered this sentence of disbelief: Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Here We Go Round In Circles!

02 Saturday Mar 2013

Posted by Playamart - Zeebra Designs in PAINTING WORKSHOPS: "I CAN DO THIS!", PAINTINGS: ACRYLIC, PEOPLE, TRAVEL: LATIN AMERICA

≈ 29 Comments

Tags

acrylic paintings, I Can Do This, Lisa Brunetti art, Slow Internet, Thank YOu

Here We Go Round In Circles

Here We Go Round In Circles

Many of you enjoyed the post, “I Is For Iglesia,” and especially enjoyed the view from the lighthouse window.  Here is another view (Above) from the lighthouse which reflects the recent vortex of energy that swirls around and around my life!    Whenever a strong burst of creative energy ‘hits,’ I often say to myself and those close to me, ‘Uh-oh… bad weather’s on its way.’ Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...
← Older posts

Thanks for hanging on for more Zeebra adventures!

Join 2,991 other subscribers

A friend says that he loves my stories, but it's a shame that I'm in an institution in Mississippi and making this all up!

(What do you think?)

Copyright Notice

PLEASE!

PLEASE, do not upload my images to Facebook, Pinterest or Travel Guides and claim that you have ownership!

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without written permission from this blog’s author and owner is STRICTLY FORBIDDEN!

Excerpts and links may be used, provided that CLEAR CREDIT is given to Lisa Brunetti and https://playamart.wordpress.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

© Lisa Brunetti, Playamart, Zeebra Designs & Destinations and Zeebra Maps, 2008-2022/present.

‘Step into my World” – Seeing Through the Eyes & Heart of an Artist’ – Museo Portoviejo Ecuador – October 28, 2021 – Jan 2023

Recent Posts

  • Thank You, BirdwatchingDaily – Birdwatching Magazine!
  • Vocabulary 101: Mani·fest·ation –
  • “Only One Earth” – World Environment Day
  • Refugio Paz de las Aves – An Urgent Dilemma
  • Aphan-WHATsia?
  • ‘Step into my World’ – A Birding Walk on Saturday
  • Ceibo Day? Dia del Ceibo, Yes!
  • Earth Day 2022 – from the Middle of the World
  • “…I Thought it was the End of the World…”
  • Solid Ground
  • Great Backyard Bird Count 2022
  • World Wetlands Day – 02/02/2022

Enter your email address HERE to receive Zeebra posts by email.

Join 2,991 other subscribers

Top Posts & Pages

  • "...But Balsa is like a weed..."
    "...But Balsa is like a weed..."
  • H (in Spanish) is Silent
    H (in Spanish) is Silent
  • Calling All Naturalists!  Name That Worm!
    Calling All Naturalists! Name That Worm!
  • Dr. Roberto Moreno di Donato -  Manta, Ecuador
    Dr. Roberto Moreno di Donato - Manta, Ecuador

TIMEOUT FOR ART

ZEETS!

  • @CoachRodBarnes @CSUB_MBB |Hey Rod! Ah, the miracles of modern technology - and 'just like that' the distance is r… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…ZEET ZEET 6 days ago
  • @CoachRodBarnes @CSUB_MBB Oh my goodness, Rod - what an adorable young member of the Barnes family! Sending you a… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…ZEET ZEET 6 days ago
Follow @ZeebraDesigns

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 2,991 other subscribers

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Follow Following
    • Zeebra Designs & Destinations
    • Join 2,730 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Zeebra Designs & Destinations
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d bloggers like this: