keeping today in focus

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 12:34:55 CST

The only time I feel alive is when I'm painting.

-Vincent van Gogh

I love the tropics. The sea, jungle and wildlife. It is where I live and what inspires my artwork.

Though my paintings are often large, it is the small things that inspire my work and make me smile.

Right now, and for the last couple of weeks, a Red Eyed Tree Frog has been sleeping on my kitchen window ledge. It’s late afternoon - he needs his rest - before the gang all gets together to sing in the Banana and Papaya plants outside my window. He will be gone by sunset and back in the window by sunrise.

An Anole Lizard likes the same window ledge and is often setting next to the sleeping frog. It was the lizard’s ledge first; he has called it home over a year now. However, he does not seem to mind the company. The ledge is a good height to keep a watchful eye open over their realm. With Pink and Red Ginger blooming in a bed of mint under the window, I wonder if they chose this ledge for the fragrant air or the view and beautiful blooms.

The Artist is nothing without the gift,

but the gift is nothing without the work.

–anonymous

Tropical Baroque Tree Frog I created the series ‘Tropical Baroque’ to play with color. The inspiration comes from a mix of my daily environment and the wild days of carnival in the tropics.

There are a few more creatures from this series...

Paintings and Drawings by Savanna - Journal

keeping today in focus