Be a Dodo

"In the year 1598 AD, Portuguese sailors landing on the shores of the island of Mauritius discovered a previously unknown species of bird, the Dodo. Having been isolated by its island location from contact with humanity, the dodo greeted the new visitors with a child-like innocence. The sailors mistook the gentle spirit of the dodo, and its lack of fear of the new predators, as stupidity. They dubbed the bird "dodo" (meaning something similar to a simpleton in the Portuguese tongue). Many dodo were killed by the human visitors, and those that survived man had to face the introduced animals. Dogs and pigs soon became feral when introduced to the Mauritian eco-system. By the year 1681, the last dodo had died, and the world was left worse with its passing." I don't know about that but it is a sad story of extinction and taking that point and using it in my art life it makes you wonder about your own impact and extinction in the world.

One of my students today reminded me of a report I wrote on the Dodo in elementary school. I remember loving that report and drew a huge Dodo bird for it. What a sad story it is and as an artist I can only hope that putting my ideas and creations out there I will not follow by the way of the Dodo. Even as a teacher you hope that some sort of rememberance will be made and mental memories can be stored with some of my kids. Putting something out in the world, making your mark as the Dodo did.