Birds our most beloved companions at the time
In April 22, 2020 I created this basic map of the bird nests in our house. The idea of Social Distancing was better exemplified to me by nature. The birds that always have been our companions in this house for the past 12 years were showing us exactly how to practice Social Distancing.
Map of the nests and birds at home
Britt and I have been living in this house, the Friday Cottage, for 12 years, which means that we were already able to survive a major financial crisis, the Great Recession I think they called it. During the years 2007 and 2008 a major downturn in the economy resulted in the loss of many properties country wide. We thought that we could lose ours, like many other people’s homes, our house was considered “Under Water” an financial expression coined during the recession period to describe the properties whose real estate values were inferior to the market price. Thus, in 2008 I created this piece “Home Under Water”
Home Under Water
From the former crisis
Alejandro García Lemos
Columbia, SC
2008
Under these unexpected circumstances, isolated on our homes, our house became our main source of distraction and refuge and joy, as well as the best way to entertain us during this very long Spring. So it was unavoidable that I started enjoying nature–and birds in particular. They have not left us, on the contrary, the birds have been bringing us joy and satisfaction every day. So, even though I have been working on a painting of our house again, at the same time I have been rejoicing with the birds and decided to honor them as my company during this Social Distancing time.
So, here are a series of photos of a new painting of our house still in process, which I expect to finish sometime over the next two weeks. Our house and its nature, that what has kept us sane…
areas of color
more lines and color
Still in process
Alejandro García Lemos
More importantly, here is a sample of the birds that have been our company. The first one is a beautiful Towhee, they jump all the time.
Bird Taxonomy of Our Garden
Pilipo erythrophthalmus
Alejandro García Lemos
Columbia, SC
Cardinalis cardinalis
Alejandro García Lemos
Columbia, SC
2020
Dumetella Carolinensis
Alejandro García Lemos
Columbia, SC
2020
Poecile atricapilllus
Alejandro García Lemos
Columbia, SC
2020
Thryothorus ludovicianus
Alejandro García Lemos
Columbia, SC
2020
Toxostoma rufum
Alejandro García Lemos
Columbia, SC
2020
Passer domesticus
Alejandro García Lemos
Columbia, SC
2020
Zenaida macroura
Alejandro García Lemos
Columbia, SC
2020
Cyanocitta crostata
Alejandro García Lemos
Columbia, SC
2020
Turdus migratorius
Alejandro García Lemos
Columbia, SC
2020
Cardinals cardinals
Alejandro García Lemos
Columbia, SC
2020
Mimus poliglottos
Alejandro García Lemos
Columbia, SC
2020
Here they are in a ZOOM Meeting during Covid- 19
All drawings made on watercolor and inks on Aquarelle Arches watercolor cold-press French paper 100% cotton.
by Britt Hunt
I couldn’t help it, but I have to include this beautiful poem from the famous French poet Claude Aveline, since it seems very connected to this moment in my creative process, I apologize since it is in French, I will try to find a good translation and post it.
Claude Aveline Portrait de l’Oiseau-Qui-N’Existe-Pas Voici le portrait de l’Oiseau-Qui-N’Existe-Pas. Ce n’est pas sa faute si le Bon Dieu qui a tout fait a oublié de le faire. Il ressemble à beaucoup d’oiseaux, parce que les bêtes qui n’existent pas ressemblent à celles qui existent. Mais celles qui n’existent pas n’ont pas de nom. Et voilà pourquoi cet oiseau s’appelle l’Oiseau-Qui-N’Existe-Pas. Et pourquoi il est si triste. Il dort peut-être, ou il attend qu’on lui permette d’exister. Il voudrait savoir s’il peut ouvrir le bec, s’il a des ailes, s’il est capable de plonger dans l’eau sans perdre ses couleurs, comme un vrai oiseau. Il voudrait s’entendre chanter. Il voudrait avoir peur de mourir un jour. Il voudrait faire des petits oiseaux très laids, très vivants. Le rêve d’un oiseau-qui-n’existe-pas, c’est de ne plus être un rêve. Personne n’est jamais content. Et comment voulez-vous que le monde puisse aller bien dans ces conditions ? Paris, 1950.
I hope y’all like our garden birds, they have provided us with the most beautiful and comforting company during the isolation period, not to mention the daily chirping and tweeting.
Alejandro
I’m jealous! You’re seeing birds we don’t get at our house. How can that be? We’re 2blocks apart!
I am sure you probably have the same birds, maybe you just need to look a little bit more in detail. Actually, I did not include a few, like the Mississippi Kite and the Wood Pecker… Thanks for your comment! I have been having a great time drawing our birds. They are so many.
And now, I want a collage of your birds to hang next to L’oiseau Qui N’existe Pas.
You do great work my friend.
Danielle
Thanks! We will talk about it.
Cheers,
Alejandro
Your work and art just thrill and amaze me. I have enjoyed so much of it while you were here and am so impressed by what you are doing now. Thanks so much.
David
Hey David!
Thanks for your comments! Next time we are in Atlanta we need to have a glass of wine!
Salud!
Alejandro
I love the bird journal and how you all painted them so beautifull! I wonder how they sound in their zoom meetings
Hey Tineke!
Thanks for comments! I feel that when they are in a ZOOM meeting they all sing at the same time! What kind of birds do y’all have around the house?
Tot ziens !
Alejandro
Absolutely fantastic! I am also surrounded by hundreds of birds. A lot of them are alike, bluejay, robin, woodpecker and common sparrow. I see a lot of finches, warblers, thrushes, titmice and starlets. Further more, there is a red kite nest in one of the trees. I oalso have some rather noisy fellows around that I try to hush up occasionally: a screech owl and a nightingale. When they sing together, the Nile geese on the other side of the river start screaming too and wake up the storks. Unbelievable!
Wow! I am glad you like the project. I feel like you already have a taxonomy of your garden in your mind. In fact, I don’t know some of the birds you mentioned.
Thanks for your comments!
Danke schön!
Alejandro
I am amazed how in the middle of everything that is happening right now, this story and pictures transported me to a happy place where I don’t want to leave.
I felt safe and felt like a little kid. THANK YOU.
Carlos,
Thanks for your comment, it really makes me smile to know that it brought a moment of peace to your life. Cheers!
Alejandro
Would it be possible to add the sound of their singing to each drawing ? Am I asking to much of an already magnifico work?
Elielson,
I am so glad you like the birds. I think there is a way to link the sound of their singing, but I will have to figure out how to create the link, it´s a web design thing more than anything, but I do LOVE the idea. I will let you know if I get to do it.
Thanks for checking!
Alejandro
Excelente trabajo
Muchas gracias Ricardo!