• Critiques and Testimonials
  • INSPIRATION – While the World Outside My Window Goes Insane
  • Remembered or Forgotten: Remembering Jenny
  • Ode to 668 East Beach
  • THE UNDERTOW
  • Mystical Andes
  • Esta Casa Es Loca!
  • Peaceful Chimborazo
  • RED FLAG… “It’ll Never Happen To Me”
  • Right-clicking Images from Websites, Pinterest and Google

Zeebra Designs & Destinations

~ An Artist's Eyes Never Rest

Zeebra Designs & Destinations

Category Archives: PAINTINGS: CUSTOM DESIGNS & FLOORS

No Mistakes – Only Lessons

06 Friday Jan 2017

Posted by Playamart - Zeebra Designs in ART, Ecuador, INSPIRATION, PAINTINGS: CUSTOM DESIGNS & FLOORS, PEOPLE, TRAVEL: LATIN AMERICA, TRAVEL: REGIONAL FOODS & RECIPES

≈ 41 Comments

Tags

building a stair rail, cement and bamboo construction, Mindo Ecuador, safety rails

p1090300-coffee-cup-i-need-a-wife

“You will fail many times but in failing you’ll learn and in learning you’ll find your way. Remember, there are no mistakes in life but only lessons, and lessons will keep on repeating until learned.”  Paulo Coelho

p1090329-stair-and-balcony-project-hammer-lisa

I’ve been quiet, but that might mean that I’ve been busy!  Are you curious?!

p1090325-stair-and-balcony-project-ooh

Mindo Ecuador – The tragedy of last year’s earthquake has had an unusual effect on me;  my patience and tolerance, thanks to several challenging lessons, have strengthened.   A project-in-progress for the ‘Artist’s Nest’ has tested that statement!

Two local workers have been helping with a 3-day project that has stretched into eight.   If I sweep the sawdust and debris five times, there’s always a sixth, and most likely a seventh, though at the end of the day these two sweet workers clean the entire area well before leaving.

p1090099-stair-and-balcony-project-day-three-9-am

When I grab the broom to sweep the steps yet again, I find that I don’t sigh and say to myself, “Again…” or get frustrated at redundant tasks.  I think, “What those people who have no home would do to have this problem!”       In addition to lessons learned via my nephew Don, “While the Worlld Outside My Window Goes Insane”   , I think of those on the Pacific coast that lost so much, and I ‘Let it go’ instantly.

p1090079-stair-and-balcony-project-day-two-8-15

Whoosh!  Gone.  Not worth it.  That post (above) connects me back via the photo tribute to Don;   with 124 comments, it’s surely one of the most popular ones for inspiration.

And the lack of stress and frustration is genuine! There’s no psyching myself into trying to dump the stress; it’s never allowed residence or even a Timeout Corner as each day brings new surprises.

p1090120-stair-and-balcony-project-measure-once-cut-twice

Measure twice – cut once. I watched as they measured, stated outloud the measurement, then the apprentice went outside to cut the section. He returned and —- “Whoops…”  he cut it at ’06’ instead of ’16.’  No problem – he learned an easy lesson! They lengthened it with a second section and wired the two together.

The workers are so kind and sweet, and Perejil (a nickname) does amazing work.  He’s very patient and goes to great details, so the work has taken longer than expected.   It’s worth the extra days, and in the story of my day, my week, my life, what is important is the quality of each day — and each day as been crammed with positive experiences.

Are you curious to see the project in progress?  Put on your hard hat, as there’s no hand rail, the main reason this project began! Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Google
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Art? My Mother Didn’t Tell Me about Art…

30 Sunday Oct 2016

Posted by Playamart - Zeebra Designs in ART, INSPIRATION, PAINTINGS: CUSTOM DESIGNS & FLOORS

≈ 42 Comments

Tags

apartment ideas, ART, Mindo Ecuador

Detail/ Tres Manos Copyright Lisa Brunetti

Detail/ Tres Manos Copyright Lisa Brunetti 2012

“Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun.” – Mary Lou Cook

Once upon a time, long long ago, a precious four-year old burst into tears when the art teacher stepped into his classroom on the second week of school.   “Art?” little Sam whimpered, “My mother didn’t tell me about art….”   He cried and cried and eventually stopped — about the time class was over for the day.

Students love to inspect my basket of art materials...

Students loved inspecting my basket of art materials…

A week passed, and I again disrupted his normal routine, and he cried again.. Not so much, but my presence made him uncomfortable…  He cried during the first part of class, but then calmed.  I think by the third week he accepted this strange interuption and in another month, he embraced the concept of art and all of the surprises that the art teacher shared with his four-year old peers.   I often said that teaching those four-year olds was a bit like jugging one too many balls; their attention spans were short, so I tried to provide many options each week to hold their interests …

P1690292 water BALLS gye malecon

Four years later when that same cluster of students was drawing one of their classmates who sat in one lone chair in the middle of the room, I silently marveled, “Wow.. they are getting a likeness, not just an icon, and they probably should not have the skills to do this at this age – but no one has told them that they couldn’t… and Mrs. B believes in them – therefore they did it – and did it well!” Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Google
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Rabbit Rabbit Once More

01 Wednesday Apr 2015

Posted by Playamart - Zeebra Designs in PAINTINGS: ACRYLIC, PAINTINGS: CUSTOM DESIGNS & FLOORS, Using WordPress - When Things Go Wrong!

≈ 14 Comments

Tags

Hacienda Guachala, holy week in ecuador, nicaragua canal, rabbit rabbit, troubles with wordpress, wordpress new editor vs classic

(Ecuador) Otavalo Market - Rabbits

(Ecuador) Otavalo Market – Rabbits

Late last night as I was painting, I remembered we were approaching another Rabbit-Rabbit Day, and I visualized writing a post with a picture of a rabbit.   (See Rabbit Rabbit May Day.)  

While guests were sleeping, I painted this ginger in the breakfast room of Hotel Andino in Quito.

While guests were sleeping, I painted this ginger in the breakfast room of Hotel Andino in Quito. (No, I did not drink four bottles of wine!)

Because I painted late, and because I get weary arguing with the WordPress ‘Improved’ Write-New-Post options, I selected slumber over writing this post. Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Google
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Timeout FROM Art! End-of-Day Tranquility

24 Saturday Jan 2015

Posted by Playamart - Zeebra Designs in ART, Ecuador, INSPIRATION, PAINTINGS: ACRYLIC, PAINTINGS: CUSTOM DESIGNS & FLOORS, TIMEOUT FOR ART - Quotes

≈ 24 Comments

Tags

Floor Painting, Math and Painting, Painted Designs for Floors, Solomon's Knot, Timeout for Art, Timeout FROM Art, WordPress Blog Siites

P1230013 solomons knot plywood rio jama

One of nine panels, this 2′ x 4′ section will be part of the border. (Acrylic on plywood)

Hola Sports Fans; I’m writing via off-line mode while taking a break from a floor project. Black paint is drying, so it’s best to take ten or more giant steps away from the work and enjoy a break!  Nine pieces of plywood make up this large jigsaw floor puzzle that will upgrade an 8-foot area that overlooks the river. Clear thick plastic protects each finished panel until all are fine-tuned and adjusted to merge with the others.  The design should be ready for varnish on Tuesday.  It’s been a challenging and rewarding project, and you’ll see the entire floor on the next Timeout for Art.

Center 4' x 4' Section - detail

Center 4′ x 4′ Section – detail

Border Detail

Border Detail

Yesterday my dear friend Silvana, back from her internship in Minnesota, dropped by the house and happily accepted the task of filling in areas with color. We set up a work area on the balcony and watched the birds and fishermen as we painted. Time flew, and at sunset we stopped to take photos from a slightly-different vantage point before she returned to Jama.

P1230038 late jan birds in breeding foliage

Although the rainy season is quite late, many birds are displaying breeding plumage.

Silvana gazes toward the boca as the fisherman snags another fish!

Silvana gazes toward the boca as the fisherman snags another fish!

Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Google
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Timeout for Art: Balancing Seriousness with Whimsy

15 Thursday Jan 2015

Posted by Playamart - Zeebra Designs in ART, INSPIRATION, PAINTINGS: ACRYLIC, PAINTINGS: CUSTOM DESIGNS & FLOORS

≈ 23 Comments

Tags

Timeout for Art - Garden Art

There are few blooming flowers in the garden, so a little paint washes those areas with color.

There are few blooming flowers in the garden, so a little paint washes those areas with color.

“A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way.”
Mark Twain

With so much sadness in the world events, hopefully the above quote made you smile!  While playing tag with the electricity and internet (two days with power, yay!) I’ve enjoyed switching between precision work on a floor project to fun garden art.    Painting straight lines fatigues my arms and shoulders, so my muscles appreciated the time out in the garden.

It's a little hostal for duendes and fairies!  It's free if they watch over the house and gardens!

It’s a little hostal for duendes and fairies! It’s free if they watch over the house and gardens!

I’ll be on the road today and with a tour group until Sunday.   Enjoy the images of the floor in progress! Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Google
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Timeout for Art: Little Ideas that Explode!

18 Thursday Dec 2014

Posted by Playamart - Zeebra Designs in PAINTINGS: CUSTOM DESIGNS & FLOORS, TIMEOUT FOR ART - Quotes

≈ 25 Comments

Tags

timeout for art little ideas that explode

PC130014 painted computer cover

“When I have an idea, I turn down the flame, as if it were a little alcohol stove, as low as it will go. Then it explodes and that is my idea.”   Ernest Hemingway

(Why didn’t I do this years ago?)  Th colorized version replaces the generic silver design of the mini-laptop!  With a little leftover paint, I also brightened the facade of my silver-colored camera!

Now if I can figure out a way to improve the internet signal strength!  John and Mary McDonald recommended that I upgrade from gerbil power to hamster. The hamsters, I’ve found, are a bit lazy and would rather eat than run that wheel round and round. With gerbil power, only this image uploaded.   Its been a busy week!  Part two should arrive tomorrow!

(Now it’s time to prompt those little gerbils into another power-up marathon!)

Z

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Google
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Timeout for Art: A Magical Room

12 Thursday Jun 2014

Posted by Playamart - Zeebra Designs in Bodega "Magic Carpet" Project, PAINTINGS: ACRYLIC, PAINTINGS: CUSTOM DESIGNS & FLOORS, PHOTO CHALLENGES, TIMEOUT FOR ART - Quotes, TRAVEL: LATIN AMERICA

≈ 51 Comments

Tags

art studios, creative artistic spaces, Lisa Brunetti, painted concrete floors, transforming an ugly room into a happy one, ways to remodel an old room, wordpress challenge ROOM

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
“I step into my studio and nothing will be the same ever again.” (Franco Paisio)

This week’s WordPress Challenge is ‘Room,’ and these photos show how a farm bodega transformed into a unique studio space.  Enjoy the pictorial!  Z

riverhouse bamboo ladder

August 2008; the fixer-upper challenge begins!

Let’s peer inside the bodega!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Google
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Timeout for Art – No Rehearsals

17 Friday Jan 2014

Posted by Playamart - Zeebra Designs in Hand-Painted Floors, PAINTINGS: ACRYLIC, PAINTINGS: CUSTOM DESIGNS & FLOORS, TIMEOUT FOR ART - Quotes, TRAVEL: LATIN AMERICA

≈ 42 Comments

Tags

art by Lisa Brunetti, concrete floors, Energy before a storm, old furniture makeover, porch balcony projects, Timeout for ARt No Rehearsals

Picture perfect afternoon!

Picture perfect afternoon! Surely the skies will be clear for days?

Talent renders the whole idea of rehearsal meaningless. When you find something at which you are talented, you do it – whatever it is – until your fingers bleed or your eyes are ready to fall out of your head. (Stephen King)

As if to compensate for the most-recent 2-day power outage,  a burst of energy kept me working at full throttle for the past several days.  After painting touch ups on the wooden balcony floor, I protected it with two coats of a transparent sealer.   Between coats, I painted the inside panels of the balcony white, then rolled a medium to light blue and then a lighter blue over that.

The little built-in bench looked quite anemic beneath the colorful moon window, so i painted the back a pastel orange and the seat area in light blue/green colors.    As the afternoon progressed, I added more depth and movement with strokes of color. Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Google
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Which Way is North?

24 Saturday Aug 2013

Posted by Playamart - Zeebra Designs in Bodega "Magic Carpet" Project, Hand-Painted Floors, PAINTINGS: ACRYLIC, PAINTINGS: CUSTOM DESIGNS & FLOORS, PHOTO CHALLENGES, TRAVEL: LATIN AMERICA

≈ 78 Comments

Tags

acrylic paintings, copyright lisa brunetti, Hand-painted concrete floors, Lisa Brunetti art, Wordpress photo challenge Focus, z designs, Zeebra Designs

P1800711 which way is north comjpass

This week’s WordPress Photo Challenge is Focus; “…For this challenge, get out there and take a picture demonstrating the concept of focus.”

Each week I photograph the progress on the compass design (painted on concrete floor) from several vantage points, so with pleasure I present the almost-finished design from many-different angles.

P1800602 compass needle

Because this is a floor, I keep asking myself, “Lisa!  Are those little bitty details really important?” Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Google
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Timeout for Art: Compass

01 Thursday Aug 2013

Posted by Playamart - Zeebra Designs in Bodega "Magic Carpet" Project, Hand-Painted Floors, PAINTINGS: ACRYLIC, PAINTINGS: CUSTOM DESIGNS & FLOORS, TIMEOUT FOR ART - Quotes, TRAVEL: LATIN AMERICA

≈ 56 Comments

Tags

Compass, Hand-painted concrete floors, Interior design, Lisa Brunetti art, Mosaic work, Problem floors, Timeout for Art Compass, Tromp L'oeil on floor, What to do with an ugly floor

P1790250 circle bodega floor“I don’t want technology to take me so far that I don’t have to use my brain anymore. It’s like GPS taking over and losing your internal compass. It’s always got to be tactile, still organic.”
Andrew Bird

Years ago I worked in a design studio for a company that produced custom carpets for hotels, movie theaters, casinos and private businesses.  Every so often we received an order for a hand-made rug, and the pattern had to be drawn on a huge canvas that was stretched to correct proportions in the warehouse.   To my amusement, most of the younger designers were graphic art whizzes, but their drawing skills were horrid!   I quickly became the hand-made rug specialist, and I would leave a note on my desk, “Gone to the briar patch! – ‘Brer Rabbit.’

How I loved the challenge of using my math and drawing skills to transfer a complicated design onto a giant canvas, then color code the areas to be filled in by another person!

I still enjoy using my internal compass to draw a complicated design on a forlorn concrete floor and watching the room slowly transform!   These photos illustrate one of several projects that tested my drawing skills this week. Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Google
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

It Started With One Light Pole & Kept Going!

16 Tuesday Jul 2013

Posted by Playamart - Zeebra Designs in Ecuador, PAINTINGS: ACRYLIC, PAINTINGS: CUSTOM DESIGNS & FLOORS, PEOPLE, TRAVEL: LATIN AMERICA

≈ 29 Comments

Tags

Attracting customers, Custom Designs, custom interiors, Lisa Brunetti, Luchy Cevallos Sabando, Palo Santo Cafe Jama Ecuador

Palo Santo Cafe - Before

Palo Santo Cafe – Before

Jama Ecuador

Last year’s  It Started With One Lightpole opened with a story about my friend Luchy Cevallos Sabando.  The post was one of the most popular for the entire year.

It Started With One Light Pole

It Started With One Light Pole

Multi-talented Luchy tapped into his creative genius and opened a cybercafe with emphasis on cafe and not cyber!  He wondered what he could do to attract more business, and before our afternoon painting session was finished, people were slowing down and taking note!

Looking better!

Looking better!

Luchy’s artistic touches throughout his Palo Santo Cafe and his nearby hostal leave little room for improvement!  Several times I volunteered to help with a new project, but there was no obvious space for custom art.

Hostal Entrance

Hostal Entrance

One year later...

(One year later)  At night, the lights come on, tables are moved outside, and the regulars drop by to say, “Hi!”

Popular with all ages, Palo Santo has a relaed vibe.

Popular with all ages, Palo Santo has a relaxed vibe.

luchys PALO SANTO CAFFECH P1480371

Last week while visiting Luchy’s Palo Santo, I reminded him that I’d love to help with a new project.   He pondered for a few minutes, then showed me an area in the VIP room that might make a fun backdrop for group photos. We did a bit of brainstorming, then started on Wednesday and finished on Saturday! Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Google
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Timeout for Art: DRAWING

11 Thursday Jul 2013

Posted by Playamart - Zeebra Designs in Ecuador, PAINTINGS: ACRYLIC, PAINTINGS: CUSTOM DESIGNS & FLOORS, PENCIL DRAWINGS, PEOPLE, TIMEOUT FOR ART - Quotes, TRAVEL: LATIN AMERICA

≈ 62 Comments

Tags

Art Projects, Iguana painted on a wall, jama ecuador, Luchy Cevallos Sabando, Palo Santo Cafe, Timeout for Art: Drawing

P1780594 cow skull zebra stripes

“Good drawing forms the ‘bones’ on which a strong painting hangs.”  (Chris Bingle)

Jama Ecuador – Last week I sketched this cow skull then did a test to see how it would look with zebra stripes.  What do you think?  Would it make a fun painting, or should I consider this an exercise and move on to another subject – like bright colorful coffee cherries?

Palo Santo Cybercafe

Palo Santo Cybercafe

Today I spent time at Palo Santo Cybercafe, which is more cafe than an internet service.  Opening around 7:30 most evenings, Palo Santo has a brisk business and an easy vibe.

Luchy whips up many fruit drinks as well as cafe specialties!

Luchy whips up many fruit drinks as well as cafe specialties!

Luchy and I had discussed doing a joint painting project in his “VIP” room, and today we began that task.

P1780583 palo santo tree

Luchy’s drawing and painting skills are excellent, so I was amused that he chose to watch instead of paint!  He wanted a backdrop for photo moments, and since the word “Jama” means “iguana,” he visualized a large iguana draped across a limb a little higher than shoulder level. We discussed several ideas, and then he watched as I mixed paints and began to ‘draw’ with the paint.

“Aren’t you going to use a pencil first?” he asked cautiously.

“No,” I smiled, “it’s not necessary… there’s no need for pencil…” Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Google
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall…

05 Friday Jul 2013

Posted by Playamart - Zeebra Designs in PAINTINGS: CUSTOM DESIGNS & FLOORS, PHOTO CHALLENGES, TRAVEL: LATIN AMERICA

≈ 16 Comments

Tags

Ideas for mirrors, Photos of Mirror, Wordpress Daily Prompt Mirrored

zeebra mirror AUDREY Y BILL'S HOUSE la jabilla

The Daily Prompt prompts us to show “Mirrored.”  Here’s a shot of a just-hung zebra mirror in my friends’ home in Costa Rica.  Natural models, the cats seemed quite at home beneath the new mirror! Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Google
  • 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
  • Google
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Butterfly Blurrrrrrr

26 Wednesday Jun 2013

Posted by Playamart - Zeebra Designs in Ecuador, NATURE, PAINTINGS: ACRYLIC, PAINTINGS: CUSTOM DESIGNS & FLOORS

≈ 43 Comments

Tags

art by Lisa Brunetti, Butterflies of Ecuador, Mindo Butterfly Gardens, Morpho Butterfly, Murals of Butterflies, Murals of Hummingbirds

/>P1760961 butterfly morpho mindo

The trip to the Amazon has been postponed, so today finds me taking a two-day time out in Mindo Ecuador. This morning I visited the Butterfly Garden, located three kilometers from town.   What a delightful childlike immersion in nature I spent while trying to capture the elusive blue morpho with my camera! Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Google
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Tromp L’oeil Mosaic & Feedback

24 Monday Jun 2013

Posted by Playamart - Zeebra Designs in Ecuador, PAINTINGS: ACRYLIC, PAINTINGS: CUSTOM DESIGNS & FLOORS, PEOPLE

≈ 50 Comments

Tags

assange, ecuador asylum, edward snowden, mosaic tile with paint, Tromp l'oeil paintings, what to do to a courtyard concrete

Hmmm... What could a Zeebra do to jazz up this area?

Hmmm… What could a Zeebra do to jazz up this area?

This week brought many creative challenges while I spent time with my friend Sarah Dettman and her family.  From the hummingbird and butterfly murals, to the sunflower painting for their laundry room, my paint brushes have had a workout!

Yesterday while Sarah was speaking to a WorldTeach group, I sneaked back to the courtyard and left a smile for her to find later!  She and her husband walked right past it several times before Eloy spotted it!    Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Google
  • 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
  • Google
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Hummingbird’s Postcard!

22 Monday Apr 2013

Posted by Playamart - Zeebra Designs in Bodega "Magic Carpet" Project, Ecuador, Hand-Painted Floors, PAINTINGS: ACRYLIC, PAINTINGS: CUSTOM DESIGNS & FLOORS, PEOPLE, TRAVEL: LATIN AMERICA

≈ 18 Comments

Tags

Barbara Seibel, Bodega Floor Magic Carpet, concrete floors, Guayaquil Malecon, hand-painted floors, Travel Ecuador, What to do in Jama Ecuador, where to eat in jama ecuador

Barb at Punta Prieta, just up the coast from the town of Jama

Barb at Punta Prieta, just up the coast from the town of Jama

My trail is about to take me out of town for a few days, so enjoy this final postcard from Barb!  See you when I’m back on Wednesday!   Z

(From Barb)

Dear fans of “Zeebra’s Designs and Destination.”

WOW!!!!! I must say I am not only amazed but also totally overwhelmed with the response that Lisa has received on her WordPress Blog concerning the Zeebra’s Flying Carpet’s Post Cards.

Thank you everyone for the encouraging comments and well wishes through all of our journey on the “Carpet”. What fun we had. Lisa has such a great spirit, (as you all have seen) energy and love that it’s easy to catch it from her…..and that I did.

I left Ecuador with a lot of fond memories and a little sadness at having to leave Lisa and “The Riverhouse.”   However I will cherish all of those memories, new friends, not only from the towns we visited, but Lisa’s Blog as well. Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Google
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Color: Bodega Floor – Details Take Time!

06 Saturday Apr 2013

Posted by Playamart - Zeebra Designs in Hand-Painted Floors, PAINTINGS: ACRYLIC, PAINTINGS: CUSTOM DESIGNS & FLOORS

≈ 82 Comments

Tags

birds coming home to roost, festive drinks, hand-painted floors, hibiscus drinks, sunset on river, wordpress challenge COLOR

Silvana dropped by and added her special energy to the border!

Silvana dropped by and added her special energy to the border!

The floor design strengthens with each day.  Barbara continues to keep the pace and endures long hours of painting!  She’s tireless and forever cheerful, and she quickly switches to other tasks if I’m bogged down with meticulous attention to details on the floor.

This is surely the most lovingly-painted bodega door in the country!

This is surely the most lovingly-painted bodega door in the country!

My friend Silvana dropped by the house and helped with the border.  Before she left, we enjoyed a hibiscus/white wine/’agua con gas’ drink and then watched the birds come home to roost.

P1680429 hibiscus tortuga bodega floor

P1680431 hibiscus surprise drinks on bodega floor P1680445 sunset birds rio jama
P1680469 sunset at riverhouse P1680460 sunset at rivre house

Lovely Multi-talented Silvana

Lovely Multi-talented Silvana

Are you ready to see the latest images?! Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Google
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

“If Fish Could Fly” Receives an Injection of Energy!

26 Tuesday Feb 2013

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

≈ 39 Comments

Tags

Acrylic Painting, Gonzalo de la Fuente Manta Ecuador, I can do this painting projects, Lisa Brunetti art, Painting with Children, Window Treatments

P1640801 assistant calm

Gonzalo and Nicolas absorb the visual whimsy of the riverhouse!

The riverhouse received an injection of energy this weekend! Gonzalo de la Fuente and his beautiful family crammed many memories into their short break from the port city of Manta Ecuador.  Gonzalo is quite the Renaissance Man, and his graphic arts skills keep his dance card full.  I am grateful for his tireles help whenever I need posters, invitations, a press release, catalog, book marks, business cards –  he transforms and improves the concepts.   Although I often visit Gonzalo and his family on their turf,  this was their first trip to the Jama area. These photos reflect one of many great memories from their two-day visit.

Enjoy!

Z Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Google
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

How’s This For A Light Fixture?

21 Thursday Feb 2013

Posted by Playamart - Zeebra Designs in PAINTINGS: ACRYLIC, PAINTINGS: CUSTOM DESIGNS & FLOORS

≈ 60 Comments

Tags

Accidents with Paint, Bamboo Light Fixtures, Custom Interiors Exteriors, Doorways

Coral Snake Colors

Coral Snake Colors

The old bamboo light fixture near the front door looked pretty forlorn.  Influenced by the Mola theme, it now sports colors inspired by coral snakes.  While I was painting, the small container of black ‘jumped’ out of my hand and  splattered the white wall.  Ugh!  I was challenged with a ‘think fast’  prompt as Rorschach patterns dribbled down the wall… Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Google
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Words Sometime Fail Me

16 Wednesday Jan 2013

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

≈ 60 Comments

Tags

ceibo trees, Jama Coaque Art, Jama Coaque Sellos Manos, Jesus Jazz & buddhism, Lisa Brunetti art, Patricia Adams Farmer, Rain Jama Ecuador January 2013

How Does One Spell Mud?!!!!

How Does One Spell Mud?!!!!  When walking to town in THIS, I briefly wondered if I was on the right track!

After six months of extreme dry weather, typical of this dry rain-forest climate, the clouds turned on their taps and kicked off the new year with slow gentle rain.   And more rain.  And more rain.   And more rain.

Friends from Colorado are in town to check on their home that’s under construction in the area.   I’ve upgraded from a life ankle deep in mud on the river to a short stay at a cute hostal while they are here.    (The photo above shows the road between my house and town.)   All’s fine here, though the internet has been painfully slow.  I have had problems sending emails, commenting on other posts or replying to WordPress comments. Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Google
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Zeebra’s 2012 In Pictures

28 Friday Dec 2012

Posted by Playamart - Zeebra Designs in Hand-Painted Floors, NATURE, PAINTINGS: ACRYLIC, PAINTINGS: CUSTOM DESIGNS & FLOORS, PAINTINGS: WATERCOLORS, PEOPLE, PHOTO CHALLENGES, TRAVEL: LATIN AMERICA

≈ 57 Comments

Tags

2012 in Pictures, Don Koen, Flooding in Manabi Ecuador, Hand-painted concrete floors, Light Post Painting in Jama El Matal, Lisa Brunetti, museo bahia de caraquez, Museo Cancebi, Museo Portoviejo, Peace March, The Mola Series, Wear White for Peace, WordPress Photo Challeng My 2012 in Pictures, zeebra art

blue olive ridley sunset nestingggggggggggggggggggg

Reflecting on a twelve-month journey through WordPress.

WordPress tossed us a tempting challenge for this end-of-the year photo challenge.   With pleasure, I present some of the highlights of 2012.

02 ceibo Lisas fav 2

This amazing tree was felled this past year.

The Magnificent Ceibos  Read about Ecuador’s amazing ceibo trees, cousins to the ceiba that grows in other parts of the tropical world. Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Google
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Z for Zeeeeeeebra!

25 Tuesday Dec 2012

Posted by Playamart - Zeebra Designs in Hand-Painted Floors, PAINTINGS: CUSTOM DESIGNS & FLOORS, PHOTO CHALLENGES, TRAVEL: LATIN AMERICA

≈ 64 Comments

Tags

Frizztext Story Challenge Z, hand-painted floors, Zebra Art

BOOKMARK zeebra rocks 06A

Zeebra Rocks – Hand painted by yours truly for the Mola Series Exhibitions 2012

Frizztext’s Story Challenge has reached the end of the alphabet, and I had no problems finding images for the letter Z!   There are so many zebra options in my files for this week’s challenge, I will try to dole a few more out during the week.

Let’s go down the steps and see if we can find some z images to kick off the week!

Riverhouse Steps - One, Two, Three!

Riverhouse Steps – One, Two, Three!

Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Google
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Bananas, Bananas and More Bananas!

18 Tuesday Dec 2012

Posted by Playamart - Zeebra Designs in Awards!, Nicaragua, PAINTINGS: CUSTOM DESIGNS & FLOORS, PEOPLE, PHOTO CHALLENGES, TRAVEL: LATIN AMERICA

≈ 54 Comments

Tags

banana flower recipe, banana nut bread, Bananas, Chifles, Cooking with bananas, cooking with plantains, Costa Rica Cuisine, Ecuador cuisine, Galivantas Recipes, hummingbird cake, Laylitas Recipes, Panama Cuisine, patacone recipe, Super Sweet Blogger Award

Papelito's Corner Plantains - Jama, Ecuador.  After four years, he recently informed me that his real name is Walter!

Papelito’s Corner Plantains – Jama, Ecuador. After four years, he recently informed me that his real name is Walter!

I try to keep bananas on hand to use in place of sugar when blending a natural drink.   My present favorite drink contains papaya, red hibiscus blossoms, fresh mint, maracuya (passion fruit) and the optional banana.  Since red and green make brown, the mint makes the concoction a bit ugly – but hey! – dim the lights and enjoy the flavor while your body drinks in nutrients! I often forget to strain the drinks before serving my friends, and they stare at me with this, “You really don’t expect me to drink this….. do you?” kind of look!

P1450059 papalitos place

P1550662 bananas

Bahia Ecuador Bananas

Bahia Banana Lady

Bahia Banana Lady

Have you ever wondered what bananas look like when you find them in the wild?  Enjoy a trek with Kris and Joel in Panama’s northern region and see some bananas that don’t quite look like the ones you buy at the supermarket!Read it HERE:  Let’s Go Hunt For Bananas!

John and Mary McDonald in San Clemente, Ecuador showered me with an ‘all you can eat’ bananafest (as well as an amazing Sunday feast!)  Read how they happened upon a surplus of bananas HERE: Yes, We Have Bananas!
Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Google
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Hindsight: WordPress Daily Prompt

03 Monday Dec 2012

Posted by Playamart - Zeebra Designs in PAINTINGS: ACRYLIC, PAINTINGS: CUSTOM DESIGNS & FLOORS, PHOTO CHALLENGES

≈ 17 Comments

Tags

concrete floors, Custom Painted Floors, hand-painted floors, Lisa Brunetti, mirrors, Wordpress Daily Prompt Hindsight, Zeebra Designs

zeebra mirror AUDREY Y BILL'S HOUSE la jabilla

“That Zeebra Lady has so much to learn!”

WordPress asks us to rewrite our first post.  I enjoyed this challenge, pulled up my first post about custom floors and interiors, hit ‘edit’ and reworked it by changing the title.

After revising it, I searched for the publish button, and woe is me!  It remained under the original’s format as an update.

Alas, the best way to point you to the revised post is by this method!

https://playamart.wordpress.com/2011/12/06/custom-floors/

Thanks for following the dots to the revised post, and I hope that other bloggers learn from my mistake!

Z

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Google
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Creative Alternatives for Home Security

10 Saturday Nov 2012

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

≈ 63 Comments

Tags

acrylic paintings, how to secure a large window, I can do this painting projects, Island Traveler weekly image of life CREATIVE

Some photo challenges seem to be tailored for my interests.   The Island Traveler asked for interpretations for the word Create.  No pondering was necessary for this challenge, as my friends Hank and Marie had just helped transform a problem area of the river house into a creativity chamber!

Moving the kitchen to the far side of the room last month allowed space for a petite sunroom.  The stunning view became the focal point, but the new “picture” window presented a security problem.  How could the window be protected from break-ins?

A creative answer materialized just in time for Hank and Marie, who were on their final week of vacation,  to help with a new “I Can Do This” painting project!     Are you curious to see what we did?
Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Google
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

P is for PAINTING!

16 Tuesday Oct 2012

Posted by Playamart - Zeebra Designs in Hand-Painted Floors, PAINTINGS: ACRYLIC, PAINTINGS: CUSTOM DESIGNS & FLOORS, PAINTINGS: WATERCOLORS, PHOTO CHALLENGES, TRAVEL: LATIN AMERICA

≈ 67 Comments

Tags

Acrylic, Flickrcomments Story Challenge P, Frizztext, Hand-painted concrete floors, hand-painted designs on wood, Lisa Brunetti art, Watercolors

Frizztext tosses his alphabet challenge each Tuesday.   Pulling up from behind just under the wire with O for Olive Ridley, I am now slightly ahead with the prompt for P!   The tagword of “Painting” trumped Pelicans, Portoviejo, Pacific Ocean, Peace March, Photo Challenge and PreColumbian Art for a chance for the spotlight!

From the archives comes an eclectic assortment of paintings from a handful of years!  Rather than ramble on about my work, I’ll let the paintings take the stage! Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Google
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Hindsight: Custom Interiors & Floors

06 Tuesday Dec 2011

Posted by Playamart - Zeebra Designs in Hand-Painted Floors, PAINTINGS: ACRYLIC, PAINTINGS: CUSTOM DESIGNS & FLOORS

≈ 37 Comments

Tags

botanical paintings, custom interiors, hand-painted floors, painted concrete floors

RIVERHOUSE FLOOR  copyright lisa brunetti

WordPress has a fun Daily Prompt, which states, “Now that you’ve got some blogging experience under your belt, re-write your very first post.”

 Ladies and gentelmen:  I present to you the revised first page, posted about a year ago this week!  Thank you for your tireless and amazing support!  Z

I love the challenge of transforming ugly-duckling floors into lovely swans!

zeebra mirror AUDREY Y BILL'S HOUSE la jabilla

Someone asked if I would paint stripes on a mirror! Ha! If only all tasks were so easy!

Custom designs add a lot of character to a room. Stroll with me through a few creative projects and see if you agree! Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Google
  • Email

Thanks for hanging on for more Zeebra adventures!

Join 2,351 other followers

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!
DO NOT RIGHT-CLICK/COPY/STEAL!

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, 2008-2013/present.

Recent Posts

  • Timeout for Art – The Muir Tree
  • Yachana Bound!
  • Lenin Moreno – The Celebration Turns up the Volume!
  • Las Artes por Manabí – Don’t Miss this Event!
  • Timeout for Art: Bringing a Quotation to Life
  • In Celebration of Trees
  • Eleven Months and Counting…
  • A Sweet and Distracting Melody
  • Timeout for Art: A Child’s First Drawing Lesson
  • Exploring New Horizons
  • Closures at the Cemetery
  • …THE END OF THE WORLD…

Most Popular – Thanks, Everyone!

An Artist's Eyes Never Rest!
Right-clicking Images from Websites, Pinterest and Google
Walking In Pilgrims' Shoes - Cultural Immersion in Ecuador
International Women's Day
Unique
Ahhhh!  Peaceful Immersion In Nature!
A Sea Turtle's First (New!) Day
Light & Shadow - Illumination Through An Artist's Eyes
Escape to the Beach!
Flowers Enhance My Days

What’s Happening in Z’s World?

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

Join 2,351 other followers

TIMEOUT FOR ART

POST A WEEK 2012

Flutterby -Thanks to those who comment here!

Flutterby Award for My Amazing "Comment" Cheerleaders!

HIGH FIVE AWARD -Thanks to all who read these posts!

HIGH FIVE AWARD / Copyright- Lisa Brunetti

ZEETS!

  • Timeout for Art – The Muir Tree playamart.wordpress.com/2017/04/06/tim… https://t.co/OKN404AILCZEET ZEET 19 hours ago
  • Timeout for Art – The Muir Tree playamart.wordpress.com/2017/04/06/tim… https://t.co/v3I9PLrtCYZEET ZEET 19 hours ago
Follow @ZeebraDesigns

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

Join 2,351 other followers

CLUSTRMAPS

Locations of visitors to this page

Archives

  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

Cancel
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
%d bloggers like this: