Art in the Time of Pandemic

I’ve been thinking of Gabriel Garcia Marquez’ novel: Love in the Time of Cholera since this whole thing began. I read the book years ago, and in case you didn’t know, it’s a wonderful movie too. Perhaps that’s why lately I have been browsing over my vacation photos from a trip to Colombia.

 

 

The story is set in Cartagena, a walled city on the Caribbean coast. And watching the movie transported me back to that vacation. It was a glorious visit. The air in Cartagena is salty and moist, and you find yourself naturally slowing your pace, lowering your voice, and calming your attitude.

 

 

Everywhere you look is a crash of colors that should not go together, but somehow do. Everything is big and ripe and languid. It is a perfect salve to the small tight spaces that we can find ourselves in right now.

 

 

It isn’t until the sun falls that the pace picks up. But even this is relative as it still feels calm and welcoming. Every evening I found myself wandering the well-lit cobblestone streets within the strong, safe, thick walls and kept my bearings about me by simply keeping an eye on the cathedral tower.

 

 

I am still staying home and do not plan on traveling anytime soon (sigh). But watching Love in the Time of Cholera helps. Yes, of course it’s nice to see places that I’ve been before, but more importantly, I love that this story about how people live their lives in the middle of all that chaos. It reminds me to just keep making my art, living my life and (sometimes), leave the chaos outside the walls.

 

But What about those Birds from Last Time?

 

Yes, I have news about some of my mystery bird decorative paintings from the convent in Peru. My bird forum experts are a bit more speculative in their identifications this time, but here are the best guesses.

 

For this first image, there is general agreement that this is a raptor, given the wing shape. Next to the painting is a photo of a Semi-Collared Hawk.

 

 

Next image is clearly a duck and the birders became art historians for a moment when they began noticing that the original image had amendments and additions over time. Still, they settled on the Fulvous Whistling Duck, which is pictured next to it.

 

 

The next one is also a bit obvious as an owl, but which kind? The birders think it’s a Peruvian Screech Owl as shown here.

 

 

The last bird was a bit of a stumper, but eventually everyone thought it might be a Guan. So, heres’ the painting and an Andean Guan for your viewing pleasure.

 

 

And yes, I have more birds to identify. Here's the next batch:

  Image 1

  Image 2

  Image 3

Image 4

  Image 5

 

There’s this batch and then one more. So, jump in and start playing before they’re all gone. Have fun! Post here, or on the bird forum, or straight to me.