Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Look See

At around age thirty, I learned to see, and it had nothing to do with art. It was when my wife's cousin Joe invited me to go birding for the first time.

"Sure - I'll try anything once," I said.

This was easy to say because there is no danger in looking at birds. And though it was not even true - what I said - because dozens of activities would have had me running the other way, it felt like the right thing to say.

We drove into the heart of Miami-Dade County. You could see the condominiums beyond, I remember, so this was hardly a primeval forest.

But I was a step away. Just one step. And it was enough. I was looking in places that I never thought to look before. And when I looked, I saw. For the first time.

And I remember on that first walk I stopped dead in my tracks because of a bird unlike any I had ever seen before. It was large. With its wings spread, it seemed about the size of a small dog. To me it looked prehistoric. Its bat-like wings, black with white dripping at its edges, were spread at its sides like sails, its neck was curved and twisted like a snake, and its beak was long and pointed, daggerlike. In the heart of the city. One step away. This creature that I had never known existed, until the age of thirty.

It was an Anhinga. Photos of anhingas are here and here.

Since then, whenever I step outside, I look around. I listen. The long dreary drive on the Florida Turnpike is now interesting. There are owls at my home now and then, and hawks in my neighborhood. They had been here all the time, of course. I just hadn't noticed.

The other day when I woke up I encountered (yes, that's the right word) the silver vase on the floor in my living room, the same vase I'd walked passed a hundred times before. The reflection of colors and light was stunning. I rushed to grab my paints, and the result is the picture above. By the time I finished painting, the light had changed, and the vase was just a vase again.

Everywhere everyday matters are special.

When my nephew Jake and I decided to paint together, we had to look around the kitchen for perhaps thirty seconds before I found a fascinating subject to paint. His sketch is in the last post, and mine is here.

So just as my wife's cousin Joe invited me, I extend the same invitation to you: Take one step. Open your eyes, and look, and see..

23 comments:

  1. Welcome to the world of site...I know what you mean, I had an illustration teacher that encouraged really "seeing" and he'd point out the little spaces between what you're looking at. Surprisingly looking at that space helped me draw the shape correctly. I like both your water colors, and I can hear and feel your enthusiasm.

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  2. I totally agree with you, Dan, and one of my goals for Cathy Johnson's Art Journalling 's class is to "Open my eyes and heart to beauty, love and life as a whole". I do think that darawing, sketching or painting really helps us "SEE" what we would usually not consider as worth our attention.

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  3. Great post Dan, you put it so well. Two lovely sketches too. I can't leave a comment here as I think Jake should collect the prize for the most comments this month!!!

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  4. Great posting! It is amazing how little it takes to really see...love the vase and plate.

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  5. What a great story, Dan. I love it - I can remember going from seeing to SEEING, too, although it happened over time, and not all at once. It is amazing how we can walk through life oblivious to the world around us for so long, isn't it?

    I love the vase - you've really captured the colors and reflections and magic of it - nicely done!

    Now - I'm off to check out Jake's work...

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  6. The colors in your sketches are wonderful and I loved your sight story. I'm so thankful that I learned to really see after I started learning art. I was missing out on so much before. :)

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  7. Great post, Dan ... and what a remarkable bird! It must have been an amazing sight to behold.

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  8. Wonderful post. Your watercolors are stunning!

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  9. I enjoyed your story, Dan, and fully understand the amazing awakening that comes with learning to "see". You are obviously seeing extremely well now. Your silver vase is incredible!

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  10. I have to say that I laughed pretty hard at this. I half expected to see some dragon of a bird when I clicked that link! I can't remember having this moment in my life as I've always been kind of quiet and observant. A nature girl too. I think you watercolors are both fabulous, especially the details on the tray. Also, I was looking at Rob Carrey's work the day when I suddenly had the thought that your style reminds me of his.
    I do hope you are able to get your art exchange out of the way soon. It is certainly a relief when you do!

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  11. A: The bird is amazing. He almost looks like he was designed by an art deco artist. Just beautiful.

    B:The painting is wonderful...both paintings. The reflections are just fantastic! Such a terrific thing that you immediately grab your paints! Thinkng like an artist!

    C: Your writing is once again wonderful. I don't always want to read every word on a blog, but I actually said a silent "Yahoo!" when I saw you had a story to tell.

    D: Thank you

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  12. Thank you for sharing your aha moment. Yes, we need to "see" and I love those aha moments. They are special times. These two pictures are wonderful. I love how you have done the backgrounds. Your talents is amazing. Good work.

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  13. Great blog! I thought you were Al Meilan, had to recheck when reading on your blog you said you were "no photographer" Al does truely incredible photo's! Thanks for the link! Its great to encourage art in young people.
    Continued success!

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  14. Awesome entry Dan! I think that you should expand on this theme just a bit and send it to a magazine or w/e paper. Nicely done.

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  15. Hi Dan, Wonderful watercolors! The colors are rich! I enjoyed your narrative about learning to see...how come it's so hard? We don't have anhingas around here, but do have lots of birds. I love peaking into their world.

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  16. Dan, thank you for sharing this great post. Lovely watercolors, I like how the colors from the plate seem to flow into the background.

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  17. An awesome post Dan. I had spent two years in Homestead when I was in the air force way back in 74-76. Those Ahinga's are very impressive indeed - especially seeing them in action (diving). Your watercolors are really top rate, the color and surface techniques. Like Susna said - I really think you could do a weekly (or so) feature in your local paper that would include both your sketches and writing (not that you are already doing this with this here blog) - but my bet is that it would become a very popular feature (if local newspapers exist into the future). Check out crackskullbob.squarespace.com - (if you don't know his work) he contributes to The Virginian Pilot in my hometown of Norfolk, Va.

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  18. Lovely paintings Dan, enjoying looking at your blog!

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  19. Don't you love those "aha" moments? And I bet your life has never been the same since....

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  20. What a wonderful post, Dan - and so true. When I'm doing lots of drawing I see the world differently.I haven't tried birdwatching yet though....Aand I love both of these paintings!
    Casey

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  21. As always, Dan, I am impressed with your paintings. Just, nice.

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  22. Dan, this is a wonderful post! The watercolor of the vase is spectacular!

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  23. These watercolors are gorgeous! You must do more of them! It's a privilege to be given "eyes to see" and "ears to hear". Thanks for the post!

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