The local people in my city in Ecuador are wonderfully warm, friendly, and genuine but there are many other faces to meet on the streets of Ecuador who aren't so amicably talkative and industriously mobile, in fact they seem frozen in time. The arts and crafts scene throughout South America is vibrant and rich in passion, culture, and experimentation and I feel much gratitude that I can enjoy an impromptu art-walk any day, any time.
Incredibly, many of these works or art are regularly painted-over by the artists to clear a space for their new inspirations. Of course the pieces are preserved in photographs but a photo doesn't quite capture the impact and tangible grit and texture of being able to walk up to one of these street canvases and see and feel first hand the vision of the artist.
When you are out there on the street near these images and close-by are pedestrians and buses and taxis and scampering dogs and the rush of the river and the smell of baking break and the bright-light-then-shade of puffy clouds moving overhead -- you become part of the experience, almost like performance art - and best of all, you get to be part of the performance. Enjoy!
