Italian Canaries

Painting by Niya Christine. Copyright

#121/365 Paintings

Have you ever noticed how fat (on average) Italian birds are? I’m pretty sure they hang out in the crevices of every baker, chef, Saturday market vendor’s routines every single day. Sleuth’s of the almighty CRUMB.

On one of my trips to Italy, I was seeking an outlet, something mindless to do as I recovered from a break up. I decided to take black and white photographs of birds for a full week. The pigeons were the fattest. Little rolly-polly, billiard ball looking creatures. They looked at you like ‘feed me or really bad things will happen’ — I fed them, of course. But even the canaries in the pet store were on the pudgy side. I love Italy. Everything in mass amounts of appetite, beauty and in deep reverence of the almighty crumb.

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Project notes: This is the final painting of April. It’s my make up painting from the sick day last week. Bunnies & Bicycles next, oh my!

Because I’m Tall…

Niya Christine Painting/Collage. Copyright

#118/365 Paintings

Because I’m tall, I see the insects up high.

I make other canaries jealous. But they shouldn’t feel that way. My knees are always scuffed up and it’s really hard for me to get a date during mating season.

Still, I keep my head up high, ready to sing with the dragon flies and ladybugs. The storks laugh at me—call me “shrimp.” I quietly gloat for not being ginormous like they are. I’m me.  A canary on stilts, with diversity, quality and character.

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Note to my subscribers: Thank you all for your well wishes. The antibiotics have kicked in today and I’m feeling much better. Also, welcome new subscribers. It’s a joy to have such a high quality art audience.

 

Canary Fashion Bazaar

Collage/Painting by Niya Christine.Copyright

#113/365 Paintings

Canaries know they are pretty. I’m convinced of it. So when I found some special papers and copper screens this weekend, I thought they’d appreciate the gesture. A couple of them insisted upon the Target logo for their ‘super-cool’ contact lenses.

“Target is cool — fun bird toys! Besides, all the birds are doing it,” they reasoned with their exacerbated but amused artist. I had to congratulate the bird with the purple shoes and pink mohak, as he insisted upon dressing himself. I just realized the blue one with the gold feathers and short legs looks like he/she has a diaper on. Oh well, it’s a fashion bazaar (bizarre). Those canaries!

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Painting dedication: When I think of fashionista’s Carolyn Maso comes directly to mind. Her taste is exquisite, expansive and very worldly. She’s a culture maker. Check her out and say hello. She will brighten your day. This is for you Carolyn!

Social Lives of City Canaries

Painting by Niya Christine. Copyright

#102/365 Paintings

When it comes to the “party/happy hour/sunset” — where all things “chat” occur — canaries take this time very seriously. No matter how much they love their city people, their various sugar coated seeds, and wooden toys, they find a way OUT of the apartment to the high wires in the sky. And they chat like they’ve never heard the sounds before. Every single note… something to be admired and repeated again and again and again. Until the pigeons come over and lay down the law or they feel one too many electrical currents.

City canaries… they know the value of a good conversation.