Wednesday 14 May 2014

The Lizard Whisperer



2007 - My daughter sketching a lizard from life 

 It was interesting to see the varied reactions to the photo of our "pet" goanna in my last post. It made me wonder if smaller reptiles would elicit the same response. I grew up in a bush setting where such creatures were a common sight so I had no fear of them. Taking their cues from me, my daughters also grew up not fearing them and as children would catch little lizards to play with - my oldest daughter in particular. There was a time when she'd often have a clutch of them in an ice-cream container in order to pamper them with all manner of interesting fare - like grass and flowers - before letting them go. Other times she'd have them trotting up her arm or sitting quietly on her hand. It's not in their nature to socialise with humans and they usually dart away if you get too close, but my daughter seemed to have such an uncanny way with them they became unnaturally docile in her presence. We called her the "lizard whisperer". These photos were taken at the height of her powers in 2007 . I was incredulous to find this cute little lizard sitting patiently for ages while she drew it meticulously in her sketch pad. She did a beautiful job!!


I was thrilled to win some of Canadian artist Shawna Lampi-Legaree's beautiful cards recently which she sent to me from Ayers Rock (Uluru) while visiting Australia recently. Click here to read about her Australian adventure and check out her stunning artwork.




Canadian cards now at home among the gum trees!

36 comments:

  1. Your daughters sketch is beautiful Wendy! I hope she is still sketching and observing nature to this day. These little guys are adorable and more lovable than the previous lizard. It is amazing how they trust her!
    I will follow the link as soon as I'm done here, her art is gorgeous!

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    1. Thanks so much Celia, she hasn't done much art lately as she is usually either studying or going out, but I'm sure she'll return to it again. Both my daughters are very artistic. Yes, these are very cute little things. I'd imagine there would be a lot of little lizards skittering around the stonework in Rome?

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  2. Wendy - I see where your daughter inherited her mother's talent. So interesting seeing the lizard. This is something we don't have in my part of the country. Those cards are beautiful and I am going to check out her site. Thanks for sharing your daughter's work - does she still draw! I hope so. Have a nice day. Hugs

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    1. That's very kind of you to say so Debbie! I would love to see photos of some of your local critters! She hasn't done anything much lately as she is up to her ears in study at the moment. She is still interested though, and I don't think it would take much to get her started again. You have a nice day too!

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  3. That is amazing. I did not think that any lizard would hang around humans for so long. I am not very fond of reptiles. I do not mind the little lizards but hate snakes of all sizes. I am scared of them.

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    1. I can understand you not liking snakes Loree - they are very scary!!!

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  4. Looks like your daughter has some artistic talent, if that is the kind of sketching she was doing back in 2007! I think many of us fear the unfamiliar, and after being around big and small creatures we would be comfortable too. The cards you won are lovely! I'll have to go check her blog.

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    1. You are so right Joan - I actually wrote about this in my book. We find the unfamiliar far more scary than what we are used to. We know what to expect with our own creatures and how likely - or unlikely - it is to be bitten or manhandled by one. I have a bear phobia even though I've never been to a country where they reside in my life.(Koala Bears aren't real bears at all).
      I don't think I would be able to handle walking through any woods in the US if there was even a whiff of a chance that a bear might appear.

      Yes, Shawna's work is beautiful!

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  5. Incredible to see the little lizard sitting still while she is sketching , they normally flee with any movement ! We have them here too and no, absolutely not scary as the big one in your post before :-) Shawna's work is awesome , you lucky gal !

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    1. I'm glad to hear that you have little lizards over there too - are you in a city or in the countryside? Yes, I was thrilled to get Shawna's cards!

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  6. Not quite sure about the unfamiliar chat you are having with Joan above. I am very familiar with spiders and I don't like those either. ;-) Talent definitely runs in your family.

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  7. Haha! Good point Laura! I'm not a spider fan either, although I'm getting less fearful of the non-poisonous ones as I get older!

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  8. HI Wendy, good to see you have a multitude of ideas spread out on the table and waiting for whenever the mood strikes...I love the pic of your daughter sketching the Lizard, that is quite something! The goanna visiting your yard, must have known that it was the house of the lizard whisperer...:)

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    1. Thanks Sally! I think you're right about the goanna knowing who lived here!

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  9. This reminds me of growing up in Hawaii. You share the house with geckos. What a childhood your kids had!

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    1. Growing up in Hawaii sounds beyond exotic to my ears Kaethe!! I'd love to hear more about it!

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  10. Hey Mate!
    Love your daughter's drawing! Art runs in the family! Seeing her draw must make you so pleased and a bit proud! Good on the both of you!
    I love seeing Canadian art in Australia! So very cool from my neighbors in the north! So congratulations buddy!
    Oh, I used to be a spider fan. Never would kill any if found in the house. That was until getting bit by one recently! Had to go to our Urgent Care Unit! I guess not only can the bites be poisonous but also venomous! Toxic too? Anyway I was okay! I now have a certain respect for all those little eight legged creatures.
    Okay Mate! You take care. Keep on painting and writing. I am so eager to hear that you finished your book! I would love to purchase one!
    Your Finally Getting Some Spring Weather And On The Lookout For Hummingbird Art Buddy! (Whew that was a mouthful!)
    Michael

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    1. Oh Michael you poor thing!! How awful getting bitten by a poisonous spider. What sort was it? I always used to kill spiders when I saw them in the house and ask questions later, but in recent years I've begun to show more compassion to our eight legged friends and ask questions first. I'll have to rethink my recently acquired benevolence and exercise more caution too or I might find myself similarly indisposed! I've always dispatched the known dangerous ones immediately but there are so many different sorts - who knows what ill-intent they harbour! I hope you recovered quickly from your bite.
      Thanks for your lovely comments about my daughter's drawing - yes, I'm very pleased that both my girls are very artistic.
      Glad to hear you are getting some spring weather and hope you spot some hummingbirds soon!
      Your Enjoying A Lot Of Rain Cobber
      Wendy

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  11. That lizard drawing is perfect. She's had an eye for a long time. Look forward to seeing what she draws now. Thanks for stopping in at the Write Game.

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    1. Thanks so much for the lovely comments and for visiting my blog! I love your bookshelf on your website!

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  12. Wow Wendy that is cool that the lizard stayed put so she could draw it! Fabulous. She will get back to art at some point.

    I miss the gum trees and all the green! We aren't even green here yet...it hasn't been warm enough. This week we may get leaves on our trees.

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    1. Thanks Shawna! I'm glad you had such a great time in Australia and thanks again for your beautiful cards!

      I hope spring arrives for you soon, it seems an awfully long time in the coming! Love your latest paintings!

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  13. Such a nice post, Wendy! Thank you for sharing this beautiful story and photo's. I think lizards are wonderful. Love the cards you won. Have a nice Sunday! :)

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  14. Thanks so much Hilje! I'm glad you like lizards. I hope you are getting beautiful spring weather over there now!!

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  15. Hi-ya. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment. It's my pleasure to return the favor.

    Your daughter's drawing of the lizard is terrific. I hope she's kept up with her artwork. I've always loved little lizards, but some of my grandchildren were terrified of them. It was so much fun helping them to get over their fear. Now they're as comfortable picking one up as I am.

    It's very nice to meet you. Count me in as your newest groupie.

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  16. Thanks for visiting and for your lovely comments Susan. I have bought a copy of your book and it's winging its way to Australia as I write!! I'm looking forward to reading it!

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  17. Hi Wendy,
    I am not afraid of lizards, but I am of snakes. The legs change everything. Your daughter was adorable and an awesome artist in 2007, no doubt even more artistic now 7 years later! Good for you bringing the girls up not to be frightened. Beautiful cards from your friend.

    XOXOXOXO Barbara

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    1. Thanks for your lovely comments Barbara! Yes, legs definitely make all the difference. Thankfully I can go many years between serpent sightings.

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  18. Just found this neat post! I hope your young "lizard whisperer" is still sympatico with them and is still drawing. :-)

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    1. Thanks so much for visiting Sherry. She is still very creative but doesn't have so much time to draw these days because of studying.

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  19. I find it totally awesome that your daughter had such an infinity for nature and art at such an early age. Her drawing looks perfect so it appears talent runs in the family.
    I am going now to check out the cards.

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    1. Thanks so much Julie! Yes, for a long time she dreamt of becoming a zoologist but then she developed a passion for physics which she now studies.

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  20. Dear Wendy - I did enjoy your visit today, thank you for becoming a follower, I look forward to seeing more of your art work.
    Your little daughter is already showing a great talent in that department, it must be in the genes.

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    1. Thank you Rosemary! I was blown away by your stunning blog and you can now consider me a regular visitor!

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