It is the color and song of the Bluebird that has given it the nearly universal meaning of happiness and contentment. The azure colors are hard to depict with paint because they are dazzling and when you see one, it is usually very fleeting, but they leave a spectacular impression. I have been lucky enough to see a few in my life. It feels like a little magic gift to see one. Lately, I have been painting many creatures that are misunderstood and maligned because I feel they deserve recognition for their importance. But the bluebird is nearly universal in its symbolism of happiness and love. I painted this one at sunrise, to give the blue paint its complement and also to say wake up! Wake up and see this beautiful blue planet.
Bluebirds symbolism is relatively simple all over the world. They spark joy in people. To see one is akin to love. It is a bird found in many songs and poetry. One story from the Ojibwa tribe stood out to me because it was about painting.
“The Ojibwa have a lovely tale of how Bluebirds help make the rainbow. When the Earth was new, there was no color. Everything was off-white. The Spirit Nanabozho saw this and brought out his paints. He began adding colors to the flowers, giving pansies many different combinations; this made Nanabozho incredibly happy.
During this time, two Bluebirds were flying overhead, chasing each other across the meadow. At one point, this game turned into a bit of showmanship with each Bird seeing how close they could dive toward the ground and come up without harm. As they did, their feet and feathers were covered in Nanabozho’s paint. As they chased each other again and again, they flew toward a huge roaring waterfall. The mist from the water began to leave paint streaks in the sky, and the Bird’s continued their playful flight. When, at last, the Sun shone on the waterfall, the paint became a rainbow in the mist. Nanabozho loved this so much that he left the rainbow above the waters for all to see when the Sun shines through rain or mist.”
Day 5, daily painting
L'Oiseau Bleu
It is the color and song of the Bluebird that has given it the nearly universal meaning of happiness and contentment. The azure colors are hard to depict with paint because they are dazzling and when you see one, it is usually very fleeting, but they leave a spectacular impression. I have been lucky enough to see a few in my life. It feels like a little magic gift to see one. Lately, I have been painting many creatures that are misunderstood and maligned because I feel they deserve recognition for their importance. But the bluebird is nearly universal in its symbolism of happiness and love. I painted this one at sunrise, to give the blue paint its complement and also to say wake up! Wake up and see this beautiful blue planet.
Bluebirds symbolism is relatively simple all over the world. They spark joy in people. To see one is akin to love. It is a bird found in many songs and poetry. One story from the Ojibwa tribe stood out to me because it was about painting.
“The Ojibwa have a lovely tale of how Bluebirds help make the rainbow. When the Earth was new, there was no color. Everything was off-white. The Spirit Nanabozho saw this and brought out his paints. He began adding colors to the flowers, giving pansies many different combinations; this made Nanabozho incredibly happy.
During this time, two Bluebirds were flying overhead, chasing each other across the meadow. At one point, this game turned into a bit of showmanship with each Bird seeing how close they could dive toward the ground and come up without harm. As they did, their feet and feathers were covered in Nanabozho’s paint. As they chased each other again and again, they flew toward a huge roaring waterfall. The mist from the water began to leave paint streaks in the sky, and the Bird’s continued their playful flight.
When, at last, the Sun shone on the waterfall, the paint became a rainbow in the mist. Nanabozho loved this so much that he left the rainbow above the waters for all to see when the Sun shines through rain or mist.”