The Observer

Tina
Jun 24
2 min read

As with nearly all my paintings, it begins with a meaningful moment that becomes a story as brushstrokes are laid down and layered. Narratives are woven through the textures creating a story that is meaningful to the viewer as well as me.

I've often shared that the finished piece is for someone else, but the process is a gift to me.

Certainly, a gift I never take for granted.

These gorgeous birds stand watch on the lake and I know the mission for them is to catch breakfast, but the stillness and focus is amazing to me. Often the only movement in a Herron is when the wind blows a feather or two out of place.

Person in a tan kayak paddles on a calm lake, wearing a hat and life vest, with dense green trees in the background.

Two orange kayaks with paddles rest on a rocky shore beside calm water, ready for a quiet outing.

When we kayak, I'm like a stalker who gets as quiet and still as I can as I paddle in order to float as closely to this beautiful bird as I can. I've gotten pretty close before, but what typically happens is he tires of my presence and retreats opening those wings and pushing to the other shore where a smiley chick on a weird contraption is at a distance.

Nature and being in it is a life-giving pursuit and I pray I have many years of getting out there.

Painting these moments allows me a documentation process, a journal, and the marking this experience as one that will never happen just this way again.

"The Observer" is my observation of a creature doing what it does.

We observe each other. We do our best to respect our space as curiosity closes the distance mostly on my part of course.

I'll be out there again, maybe today.

I wonder if one of these beauties will meet me there.