First paint a cage
with an open door
then paint
something pretty
something simple
something beautiful
something useful
for the bird
then place the canvas within a tree
in a garden
in a wood
or in a forest
hide behind the tree
without saying anything
without moving an inch…
Sometimes the bird arrives quickly
but he can also take many years
before deciding
do not become discouraged
wait
wait for years if you have to
the speed or the sluggishness of the bird’s arrival
has no effect
on the outcome of your painting
When the bird arrives
if it arrives
keep the most profound silence
wait for the bird to enter the cage
and when he is inside
gently close the door with the paintbrush
then
erase all of the bars one by one
while taking care not to touch any of the bird’s feathers
then do the tree’s portrait
choosing the most beautiful branch
for the bird
paint the greenery and the freshness of the wind as well
the spray of the sun
and the noise of the animals in the grass in the heat of summer
and then wait for the bird to decide to sing
If the bird doesn’t sing
it’s a bad sign
it’s a sign that your painting is bad
but if it sings it’s a good sign
it’s a sign that you can sign
Then you very gently pluck
one of the bird’s feathers
and you write your name in a corner of the canvas.