THIRST AND CHARACTER 1 – I was thirsty and you gave me drink

THIRST AND CHARACTER 1 – I was thirsty, and you gave me drink Tui feeding birdbath flight

THE PROVERB

Thirst and character
To recharge
You gave us a drink
Knowledge
Inspired
You fed our desire
A good leader led
Recharged
We lived

THE STORY

What a joy it was to capture these moments. Tui feeding birdbath flight

Like in “Thirst and Character 2”, I placed a small bowl of sugared water in the Tui’s flight path on my friend Barrie’s verandah. Soon, one Tui found the sweetness, and within minutes, many others joined in. My camera was ready with a 200mm lens and converter, but the real wonder was how alive and alert these birds were. For a moment, we simply watched each other, both wondering what would happen next.

It was winter, when nectar is scarce, and their hunger made the discovery even more precious. They needed a new source of strength.

The Parable

Their intelligence, communication, and eagerness reminded me of a simple spiritual truth: we all seek food that gives life. Wisdom helps us choose what nourishes rather than harms. The Tui did not know how the sweetness was made—yet the gift was freely given. One tasted, then led the others to the act of kindness.

So it is with us. When we recognise our hunger and thirst, God invites us to seek the true nourishment He provides—freely, generously, and in perfect time. Tui feeding birdbath flight

My thoughts

These thoughts came from my readings in “The Bible – God’s Constitution on Earth”. The Bible talks about being diligent in persistence, the glory of being, food for the stomach and food for the spirit (healthy and poisonous), leaders and being led, testing what you eat, and the consequences associated with what you eat.

This family of Tui (New Zealand native bird) found their energy, purposefulness, and knowledge to know where good food is. The food was free, and Tui didn’t care; they just indulged. The only work they had to do was listen to the first responder call and fly to the offering of a free drink. God is like that. To receive from Him knowingly, you need only discover where the offering is and feed as you listen. It’s a free offering made by someone else who cares, and to receive you let your thirst take you to the bowl of living water on offer.

This principle is found in all creation, be it feeding on the good which gives life or evil which brings death.

Any enthusiast discovering something with pleasure will lead willing partakers to indulge in the same feast.

The principles of leadership

This story carries inspiration for many areas of life—business, branding, community, friendship, and even the search for a spouse. Its purpose is simple: to stir a person’s thoughts toward what gives life.

A true leader points others toward the place where refreshment is found. Those who follow take that inspiration, taste it for themselves, and grow through the discovery.

When someone finds joy in something, they naturally lead others to share in it—whether it’s politics in New York, business in Tokyo, sport in London, history in Milan, oil exploration in Dubai, a sunny beach in Australia, or the life-changing experience of meeting the God of heaven on earth through Jesus.

But not all leaders lead toward life.
In this case, the first Tui was a good leader, guiding the rest to a source of sweetness and strength.

Maori art symbolism and spiritual language in art

In the Māori world, the Mangopare shark symbolises abundance, strength, agility, and determination. Its powerful nature—reflected in the koru pattern as a stylised backbone—was honoured, and Māori warriors sought to mirror its courage and focus.

The wave-like flow in the design represents the shark’s backbone, driving it forward toward its target. In its successful pursuit comes a new provision and a new life depicted in the opening of the fern fronds in the art. Likewise, when we seek true knowledge and apply it with wisdom, our God-given desires move toward fulfilment.

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,” Matthew 25:35 (NIV)

STATUS and MATERIALS

15 LIMITED EDITION “ACRYLIC ENHANCED” CANVAS REPRODUCTIONS
Please ask about the price and sizes.
A master acrylic artist will digitally recreate the original painting and use hand-painted brushstrokes to replicate the original painting.

75 LIMITED EDITION CANVAS REPRODUCTIONS * 
Unframed sizes | 960 x short side – $1150  |  650 x short side – $925
Printed on long-life archival canvas and protected with two coats of UV archival protection spray.
* Stretch-mounted reproductions will incur added charges for mounting and freight.

OPEN EDITION POSTER ART PRINTS * 
Unframed sizes | 594 x short side – $145  |  420 x short side – $95
* Posters printed on fine art papers and treated with two coats of UV archival protection spray.

PROCESS

Multiple images were photographed with a 5D and 7D Canon, and digital illustrations were created on an iMac in Photoshop CC. The limited editions are acrylic colour-enhanced to enrich the Tui feathers and stretch-mounted proudly on hardboard. All works are protected with brushed dammar varnish. The planned painting will be on fine-weave, gesso-primed linen canvas.

FASHION and PRODUCTS

Images from “Thirst and Character 1”  will be exhibited on multiple product lines at Fine Art America

SHIPPING

• Includes insurance and package/handling fees.
• The Original and Limited Edition reproductions ship with the Provenance-coded Authentication of Sale Certificate and maintenance information.
• Poster art prints ship in insured tubes.

AWARDS

• 2018 Rodney Art Awards, NZ – 3rd place in 2D art.
  Judges’ comment –  “Preservation and the power of our uniquely natural world. Sophisticated execution of a mixed media work”.