Written by I‘m not sure how many people reading this have, used to have, or plan to have a pet iguana, but if so, this is your day! Some can grow to 6 feet (1.8 meters) in length, so as pets go it’s not the smallest. But it’s a companion that can live more than 20 years, has a third eye in the top of its head, and unlike furry pets, only sheds annually. Of course, it sheds an entire layer of skin, instead. There’s apparently a lot to learn when caring for one of these guys so that’s why this day was formed. While I personally find reptiles fascinating to observe and even sketch, I’ve never had the inclination to have one as a pet. I definitely prefer the furrier, cuddly types. And it’s oddly comforting to know that if my dog Phineas finds himself cornered or trapped that his tall won’t fall off onto the floor. But, seeing an iguana almost smiling while worshipping the sun is a lovely sight indeed. They’re almost cute when viewed like that. Thoroughly enjoying the moment, which is always a good lesson for all of us. So I’m rather glad they have their own special day.
Yeah, that’s pretty much all I know about iguanas, but I appreciate that they see colors, shapes, and shadows and communicate visually. I think these are wonderful gifts, that we humans have as well and use to the fullest when we sketch and paint. I hope if you’re painting along with these celebration days this month that you’re enjoying the challenging variety of things to create. Tomorrow is Grandparent’s Day, and this one is super cool and I hope you’ll all be celebrating in real life as well. I don’t have any living grandparents, but I’ll be seeing my mother and sister who are both grandmothers, so it should produce some fun stories, from the moment as well as the past. Today, Philippe and I went to lunch in our City Market neighborhood and visited an antique shop afterwards. Each booth was a fabulous blast from the past and it was so much fun to relive all of those memories. Though decidedly American, there were plenty of fun internationally known icons that Philippe remembered from his childhood as well.
Some of the things I saw in this shop were perfectly obscure, but brought back a flood of great memories. A time when metal robots were cool not because of what they could actually do, but because of the future advancements they promised. Most of which, we’re still waiting to enjoy, but many other things are now possible. We live in a blur and buzz of technology now, and so walking through a dusty shop filled with several forgotten objects from the past was a pleasant departure. The coolest thing at the time is now sitting and collecting a light layer of dust on a shelf. Perhaps, one day, these once-loved objects will get their own special celebration day. Someone, somewhere will want to honor their memory. Sure, these celebratory days are sometimes a bit obscure, but that’s the point. Things don’t have to been part of the mainstream in order to be enjoyed and honored. Often, it’s those niche things that bring us closer together, form a bond as we enjoy how we’re unique, like watercolor. And that’s why I think it’s rather wonderful that even lizards can enjoy a moment of celebration because someone cared enough to make it happen, on this wonderful Iguana Awareness Day.
Join Us For The September 2018 Art Challenge!
Click Here To Learn More!
About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: Aureolin, Vermilion, Leaf Green, Opus (Vivid Pink), and Indigo. Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen with sepia ink in an A5 Hahnemühle Watercolour Book. Want to purchase a print of this doodlewash? Send me a note with a link to this post, and I’ll add it to my shop! |
 |
|
I love the way you’ve set off the iguana with the Opus! I tend to stay away from Antique stores because I want to take it all home with me!
Iam the same Sandra I end up with more than the shop
Thanks, Sandra! 😃💕Thought my little iguana could use a touch of pink! hehe And totally agree on antique stores. I want all of those treasures!!
My niece had an iguana for many years. He got to be huge! And he was quite the handsome fellow, even if he didn’t keep her feet warm at night like her dog does. I suppose that’s why the band is Three Dog Night, not Three Iguana Night! 😂😂😂
Today a young man who used to work for me, and is now all grown up, came over to show me the new Tesla 3 car he bought. It was great to see him so excited! I can just imagine him in 30 years telling his grandkids about his first electric car.
Hehe! yeah, cold-blooded creatures are not quite as good at feet warming! lol 😃💕 And I’m sure he will still be talking about that car years from now. Such a wonderful story!
Great use of complimentary colors – love the pink branch!
Thanks, Sharon! 😃💕Figured a pop of pink would help set things off! hehe
I love automata, though my wife finds them spooky. I love the mind that created all those moving parts, and then clothed them in fur or clothes. An antithesis really, the finite certitude of the engineer, in harmony with the creative possibilities of the artist (not to mention the greed of the entrepreneur).
Yay to a fellow automata lover! 😃💕 hehe.. yeah… they are a bit creepy, but so cool and interesting! And well described! So true!
Good colour s of u r eguana.
Thanks.os.
Thanks so much, Snehlata! 😃💕
I used to run a Reptile Rescue Center, so a word of caution.
They are beautiful, enigmatic,.. but deadly, there claws can rip huge amounts of flesh off you and there hard gums really do damage and look out for the tail.
Really should never be a pet and as you say a world of learning to look after these wonderful creatures.
Lovely painting
Thanks for that revealing comment, Suzanne! 😃This day was indeed set up for the pet variety and I had to wonder about everything you mentioned. I think they’re far better observed in the wild!
Great picture Charlie I like snakes more I will stay with the dog. Love the writing I like what’s in your head
Nice use of opus (vivid pink)…Beautiful painting…!
Thanks so much, Anita! 😃💕 Glad you liked this one!
Love the Opus branch and he’s a beautiful iguana. There was a news report a couple of weeks ago about iguanas being purchased as pets and then released to grow big (very big) and scary and showing up in people’s backyards down here. Can’t say that I would enjoy coming face to face with one of these guys…even one as gorgeous as this one.
Thanks so much, Mary! 😃💕 Yeah, I think the “awareness” in this day was meant to get more people learning that these cute little lizards grow to be quite large. So one should definitely think twice before bringing one home!
Iguana Day – of course. Your painting is wonderful but beware of getting an iguana. Some pets are better off when they are not pets. They serve best as a poster child for an animal representing “I”, as on the alphabet chart I painted for my grandson. (Toddler wasn’t sure what to make of iguana – we had to show him a photo – still didn’t know. Oh well.)
Really enjoyed the rest of your discourse today – wandering around an antique shop, looking for memories.
Thanks, Sharon! 😃💕 Yeah, I’m quite certain this day was meant as more of an awareness of what not to do. Iguanas seem like they would be much happier just worshipping the sun on their own terms.
” if my dog Phineas finds himself cornered or trapped that his tall won’t fall off onto the floor. ” Now THAT is something to be thankful for!
haha! So true!! As much as I love him, that would just freak me out!! LOL 😉 😃💕