“Creativity is not a competition.”
Origin. Acrylic Painting on 36”x 48” Canvas. Completed February 2020
Origin is one of my personal favorites. My neighbor Dona C. Mann and I decided to exchange original works, and this was my contribution to their collection of art. I therefore asked Donna to write a few lines of her thoughts on the painting. See her thoughts below:
“Having taught English, literacture and social studies most of my thirty years, I felt most engaging when focusing on the origins of civilization.
The stories of the Fertile Crescent and African Villages fascinated me then as they do even more so today. IN order to model my teacher/student creed, “I’ll never ask you to do anything I would not do,” I conducted my own action research research project on elephants.
My love for them and intrigue with their societal behaviors instilled a great respect after that experience. Imagine how exciting I was to move next door to an amazing family who sponsor elephants in their native Kenya.
When Zikki presented the surprise painting to me, my first reaction was, “Origin of the Species.” His simple reply? “I named this work Origin.”
Whenever I look at this piece of art, I am blessed that we share such an amazing connection with the country of Kenya and the ever evolving African Continent.”
When I asked Dona, what song comes to mind when you look at the painting, she said, “Circle of Life.”
“In the circle of life
It’s the wheel of fortune
It’s the leap of faith
It’s the band of hope
’Til we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the circle, the circle of life”
Thank you Donna.