The "Other" Hawaii

As I lamented in past blogs about painting a part of Hawaii that didn't include the ocean or the beach, so I have finally painted! This is an 11"x14" panel of an ancient Hawaiian burial ground that is about a mile or so walk down the Ala Loa Trail from our beach. It always looks kind of spooky when the dark afternoon clouds roll down the side of mountain, and thats what I was trying to portray. I worked 3 different times on the piece to finally finish it, and when it was done, I named it "The Path of our Ancestors". You know, I think I might like painting some more of these alternative Hawaii subjects.........Aloha :)

Up the Coast

Saw this vista while driving north along the coast and it caught my eye. I alway hesitate to try such broad landscapes on small panels (9" x 12") but I found it really attractive. I also find that if I stop and think too much, that I can think of a multitude of reasons not to try and or do something new. My block in and my initial color work did not achieve the "sparkle" and attactiveness of the original scene, and I was disappointed, but could still see the potential in the piece. I find that 95% of the time I am disappointed with my first pass on a piece. If I stick with it, normally it will turn the corner.....and this one did! I have to always remember to persevere, and you will be rewarded.

Meanwhile, Back at the Beach

Its hard to leave your comfort zone. I keep thinking I'm going to try some new subject matter other than oceans and beaches, and I do see some inspiration landscapes, but I just love the blue water. This is an acrylic 8"x12" of a break in the brush that leads to a beautiful sand beach. I like providing the viewer with a path to follow.........kind of a reason to interact with the painting. I like the abstraction too. :) Someday maybe tomorrow, I'll paint some mountains. And maybe I'll trade in my acrylics for oils too. Someday.....

Back to Work

I have been away from the studio for almost 3 weeks, and its nice to be home. While looking over some of my previous work, and thinking about what I might like to paint next, I was finding that I try really hard to paint things that "look like Hawaii". I mean beaches and palm trees, and ocean views....classic Hawaii. The problem with this is that the Big Island is not "classic Hawaii"...its rocks, and lava flows, grass lands and mountains. But I think......well who would want to own this kind of a landscape? And then I get stuck.....I get stuck because I try to paint things I think people would like to buy. So look for a little more rugged Hawaii in coming works, just because I like it, and not because I think it might sell, and we shall see what happens.

The piece I have here in the post is called "Trade Winds".........its an 8" x 10" and I tied to catch the breeze/wind that is always blowing here on the Big Island. I've also cut back a bit on the amout of colors on my palette, as the previous painting I posted seemed to get a bit hard to control color-wise. This piece still has the bang of color, with more unity. On we go!!

The Sailing Club

I started this 11" x 14" on location in front of the sailing club. I liked the way the trees back dropped the building and the row of boats. The club is in the back corner of the marina, and everytime I would drive by it, I would think...."I have to paint that". And looking back now.........I'm glad I did! :)

Home at last

After a long 3 weeks of work on the mainland, I'm finally back home in Hawaii and ready to get back at it. This piece is done from one of my favoite viewpoints, the backside of Honokohau Harbor marina. Its a sunny, high sky day with a few unchartered boats still left parked in their slips, with the trade winds blowing through the palms in the afternoon.
The bulk of this larger piece (14" x 18") was done in the studio over the course of 3 painting sessions, and it was kind of a test to gauge how my plein air skills were translating into studio work. A positive influnence I think.

Bring on the color

I saw this little cluster of palm trees without a whole lot of anything else going on. I was going to move on, but I really liked the movement of the tree trunks, so I decided to just see what would happen. This cute little 8"x 10" happened! I've added cerrulean Blue and Cad red light to my pallette, and am enjoying the color pop. This piece gives me confidence to create.