I hear fascinating conversations when I swim laps in our nearby natural spring.
People lounging in floats, or standing in groups in the waist-deep water, converse and I catch snippets each time I come near.
This week it was the grackles.
These curious birds were on the walk-in-steps, in water that was about bird-ankle deep, chattering over food scraps they’d found. Posturing and posing with one another.
I always enjoy birds, especially ones like these so full of character. Interesting leg angles. Expressive splayed toes.
Not having my camera with me while I swam, I was inspired to come home and look up images of grackles to incorporate into upcoming artwork. I love these characters, here as black and white printouts on my worktable. (I will create stencils of their shapes.)
A different kind of bird came into my thinking this week too. I attended the unveiling of the poster design for the annual Fall Festival of the Arts DeLand. This is the work of a local artist, Jorge Fernandini, who has perfected his style of watercolor over decades of interest in and devotion to nature.
I love this image. The bird and the foliage are beautifully connected to one another in a thoughtful, well-constructed composition. I’m proud to share Jorge’s work with the world.
A final thought about winged creatures. . . This one also from my hometown. I want to share it, too, but not because I am proud. I am saddened and infuriated.
For those not in Florida, you might not know that our governor, Ron DeSantis, has become enraged at colorful crosswalks in rainbow colors intended to engage the LGBTQ community. One particular crosswalk in Orlando was near the site of the terrible Pulse Nightclub Massacre in June of 2016, a killing spree that killed 49 people.
Painting himself into a corner over the decision to black over the crosswalk, the governor and the DOT are now promoting the ridiculous story (complete disproved my actual traffic data) that colorful street art endangers people and must all be painted black.
As a result, here’s what occurred in DeLand.
“A mural of the metamorphosis of a butterfly near the corner of Adelle and Beresford in Spring Hill in southwest DeLand was painted overnight Sept. 3. The crosswalk mural was approved by the Florida Department of Transportation and the City of DeLand in 2023.
The mural was created under leadership of professor Asal Johnson, who brought together members of the Volusia/Flagler Boys & Girls Club, the Dr. Joyce M. Cusack Spring Hill Resource Center, Stetson students, and muralists Kelly and Courtney Canova.
Boys & Girls Club children, mentored by Stetson students, painted the mural on April 22, Earth Day. The design was created by the Canovas and sponsored by Stetson University.”
(Photos courtesy Shilretha Dixon and Canovas Photography.
Photo and text printed the DeLand/West Volusia Beacon)
I do not have sufficient words to describe my reaction. I think of the beautiful little children, given the chance to spread their wings as young artists, only to have a politically motivated, meanspirited, unwarranted clipping of those wings. It is unconscionable. And stupid.
In spite of this. BECAUSE of this — art must go on.
. . . . . .
I look forward to upcoming in person exhibition of my work. If you ar near any of these places, I hope you will take the chance to take a look.
For all the artmakers: Happy creating
For all the art lovers: Happy appreciating
Thank you for reading. I always enjoy questions and comments.
--Bobbi
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