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Indigene Art Forms

Exploring Life Through Art

Shop / Illustration Friday / Pretend – IF

Pretend – IF

November 14, 2008

When I was a kid in NYC, there was an individual who used to roam the streets in my neighborhood. To this day, I don’t know if they were a man or a woman, (nor do I care) but we called, this person, “Birdy.”

Birdy walked around in a big overcoat, with his/her arms tucked inside, so Birdy appeared armless! Yet the moment, there was any group of little kids around, the pretend magician, would say, “Abracadabra” and out of that opened cape-like coat would appear two hands…and then… all of a sudden … little birds came flying out of their coat!

It was the most wonderful thing to my nine-year-old eyes!

I often wondered what happened to that beautiful individual pretending to have a home, living on the streets, pretending to be a magician, pretending to be a man or woman, but always giving real joy to all the children in my old neighborhood.

Days, when I think about Birdy, I’d like pretend that Birdy is alive and living a wonderful magical real life, because those memories I have of Birdy are pure magic!

Pretend to be or not to be, but make it magical to the people in your life this week!

Peace to you all.

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Category: Illustration Friday Tags: Illustration Friday

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Godheval said

    November 14, 2008 at 8:40 pm

    …I think this is the first time I’ve ever heard this story. Or maybe I just don’t remember it. But uh…I’m pretty sure that “Birdy” wasn’t a human being. You might very well have encountered an old world god or something… That’s NUTS. But also very cool.

  2. sandra.d. said

    November 14, 2008 at 9:12 pm

    indigene, this illustration and beautiful story, are great!!! u make my night / here is 3h in the morning/!!!
    so warm, nice, human… that is what we were once, and i hope we shall be again.
    after decade of really nightmare for the globe, i know that america start to make her dream! congratulations on your beautiful obama, with all my heart! ;]]]

  3. NANCY LEFKO said

    November 14, 2008 at 9:17 pm

    fascinating story and artwork…

  4. Diana Evans said

    November 14, 2008 at 9:19 pm

    what a great walk back into your childhood….thanks for sharing this and the great piece….

    Hugs
    Diana

  5. Curious Art said

    November 14, 2008 at 9:25 pm

    Wow, what a magical sight that must have been! Sounds straight out of a Fellini film! Thanks for a wonderful image & concept!

  6. jcdillustration said

    November 14, 2008 at 10:41 pm

    What a beautiful story. She/he must have loved kids. This portrait reminds me of some Haitian work I have seen. Sort of a folk art style.

  7. Owl Eng said

    November 15, 2008 at 1:13 am

    what an interesting and unique piece!!! love your sharing 😉

  8. flower girl said

    November 15, 2008 at 5:32 am

    Great work and beautiful story as always. Its so much fun to read your blog Indigene! Thanks for sharing =)

  9. soulbrush said

    November 15, 2008 at 5:33 am

    what an amazing person,he obviously marched to a different drum. these days he/she would be locked up.

  10. Tanya said

    November 15, 2008 at 9:20 am

    What a mysterious and magical story. Unfortunately, for the most part such things happened in childhood and pass by in adult life. An excellent illustration.

  11. Rrramone said

    November 15, 2008 at 10:47 am

    You reminded me of a movie I really liked called Birdy. Check it out sometime!

  12. janie said

    November 15, 2008 at 10:57 am

    lovely painting for a sweet memory, thanks for sharing it.

  13. Anish Daolagupu said

    November 15, 2008 at 12:51 pm

    i like remembering stories from my childhood… they always make me happy… far lesser things to think about, to care about… being happy most of the time… i wish i were a child again…

    thank you for sharing this story… you made me smile… 🙂

  14. isay said

    November 15, 2008 at 1:44 pm

    i was imagining birdy while looking and reading your beautiful story and illustration.

    …..and you, too.

  15. Distressing Delilah said

    November 15, 2008 at 2:56 pm

    What a unique indivisual…and memory! Beautiful portrayal also!

  16. Michelle Henninger said

    November 15, 2008 at 4:08 pm

    I love reading your blog… What a magical experience! It’s amazing how someone can leave such a impression, and not even realize it. Thanks for sharing this illo, and story!

  17. isay said

    November 15, 2008 at 4:19 pm

    by the way, i forgot to thank you for your comment about my pictures……gee, you made my day!

  18. aimee said

    November 15, 2008 at 8:16 pm

    what a gorgeous painting, and a great interpretation of the topic! i love it!

  19. Vanessa Brantley Newton said

    November 15, 2008 at 10:10 pm

    this must have been super cool to know her. what a great story too. i really enjoyed reading about birdy. I think you should do a picture book about her. thanks so much for sharing this with us. great work.

  20. patthebuny said

    November 15, 2008 at 11:58 pm

    once again very beautifully done.. good job!

  21. yoon see said

    November 16, 2008 at 9:02 am

    Birdy is an incredible lady with magical heart and showing magical move to enlighten the passerby.
    For you this simply was a sweet memory that you can't erase until now.Just like you said, Birdy is alive & pure magic!!!

  22. Vanessa Brantley Newton said

    November 16, 2008 at 11:49 am

    Made you laugh!! he he he
    Love ya!

  23. Pea said

    November 16, 2008 at 12:57 pm

    Thats a lovely and mysterious story ! Love your illustration too !

  24. Bill Nagel said

    November 16, 2008 at 1:40 pm

    great story. Where in NYC? I lived there for a while and can imagine this happening in just about any neighborhood. what a wonderful city.

  25. ValGalArt said

    November 16, 2008 at 1:53 pm

    You always share a unique and loving point of view! This is beautiful and I love the sentiment 🙂

  26. June Pfaff Daley said

    November 16, 2008 at 2:28 pm

    very cool story…makes your painting that much more interesting! thanks for sharing.

  27. Roberta said

    November 16, 2008 at 5:18 pm

    What a great story… and so much to learn from the Birdy people we incounter in life!

  28. carga said

    November 16, 2008 at 6:36 pm

    Very nice story, and I think Birdy was a very nice person..

  29. Bee said

    November 17, 2008 at 5:32 am

    You always have such fantastic tales to go with your illustrations, this one is really magical 🙂

  30. Cock Yer Doodle said

    November 17, 2008 at 6:56 am

    I love the story that goes along with your rich illustration! Inspiring. 🙂

  31. parisa mahmoudi said

    November 17, 2008 at 11:18 am

    This is the best piece in your blog that I read and saw,you are so so great!thanks,so thanks 🙂

  32. sketched out said

    November 17, 2008 at 4:02 pm

    A wonderful, poignant, inspiring story and illo. Wonderful idea for this week’s theme. Thanks for reminding me of magic!

  33. Shannon Melville said

    November 18, 2008 at 6:31 am

    Very unique and thoughtful take on the topic, you always come up with something different and you are also a very good story teller 🙂

  34. kathy hare said

    November 18, 2008 at 4:18 pm

    such a beautiful portrait and a wonderful magical story..

  35. ottoblotto said

    November 18, 2008 at 4:36 pm

    Excellent rendering, and beautiful story; a lovely memory.

  36. Digital Scott's Illustrationblog said

    November 18, 2008 at 9:45 pm

    Nice work, and a great story!

  37. Shani said

    November 19, 2008 at 1:48 am

    What a nice post!

  38. Tessa said

    November 19, 2008 at 8:07 am

    You’ve brought Birdy to life for all of us! Thank you! What a lovely story and illustration.

  39. Carli said

    November 19, 2008 at 9:34 am

    wonderful memories. great illustration. there is so much emotion in Birdy’s face. beautifully done

  40. Joanie said

    November 19, 2008 at 10:24 am

    Lovely story and illustration!

  41. Michael O'Connell said

    November 19, 2008 at 11:00 am

    amazing story and a fantastic illo… thanks for the kind words and the inspiration… it’s always nice to have a little nudge in that direction…

  42. Kris-Tea said

    November 19, 2008 at 11:30 am

    Good work! Nice story ^^

  43. Loni Edwards said

    November 19, 2008 at 1:36 pm

    Indigene, what a beautiful story to go a ong with a fabulous painting. I love your work and its earthy tones and organic feel. Thank you for sharing your great story from the past.

  44. ROSÁLIA LERNER said

    November 19, 2008 at 7:55 pm

    I know someone …is better to say that every city, neighborhood , in the world have that figure.
    Intriging creature.

  45. mariapacewynters said

    November 20, 2008 at 1:13 am

    What a wonderful story and amazing painting. I love her hands. Just Magic!

  46. christy sheffield said

    November 20, 2008 at 7:44 am

    I love your interpretation of the topic. Such a neat story. Thank you for visiting my blog as well. I really appreciate the kind comment.

  47. enigma said

    November 20, 2008 at 9:56 am

    very nice thought and memories. yes sometimes we met one of those people..

  48. Nicole Wichman said

    November 20, 2008 at 10:00 am

    I love your work, I think we are looking to serve the same purpose with our artwork. Thanks

  49. COBOL said

    November 20, 2008 at 12:25 pm

    love the story, the memories of how we see through a child’s eyes. And a great illustration, love the colours and the composition

  50. theartofpuro said

    November 20, 2008 at 3:09 pm

    Loved the story,it’s magical,the world need more people that brings magicin our lives
    Great illo

  51. nancy said

    November 21, 2008 at 3:26 am

    …wow…definitely magical, and you’ve caught that in your painting, too! Very very cool.

  52. Vanessa Brantley Newton said

    November 21, 2008 at 3:07 pm

    I just came by to tell you how much your words of comfort really means to me. It’s so very difficult. Hali was just visiting me here in Jersey went home and had a mild heart attack. She was in the hospital and all. We thought that she was going to be fine and then… well. I know that she is in a much better place. The out pouring of love and support has been so comforting and at times overwhelming. Thank you so much for your kindness.

  53. Focus_ret said

    November 21, 2008 at 7:51 pm

    Neat story, delightful art.

  54. Mim Stella said

    November 30, 2008 at 5:31 am

    Wonderful story, growing up in NYC myself, we got so used to the unusual and strange people on the streets that we didn’t take the time to think of their life and what it was like – great drawing..and great story

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