I went very bright in the background for this one. The Nene is a native Hawaiian goose and our Hawaii state bird. I love them very much, but their colors are mostly black, white and beige. So I had to embellish a little and add some flair:) My Nene family is out for a stroll, enjoying the warm sunset and each other's company. The middle baby is so wonderful that I had to center the title around him. Love how these guys came out!
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Hearts are my thing, so are birds! I love the Ke Aloha series. It represents native Hawaiian birds with lots of love and bright color. This 'I'iwi pair are celebrating their love on a clear blue day. Life couldn't get any better!
Check out more about conservation action being done to help native Hawaiian birds at: www.abcbirds.org or www.mauiforestbirds.org As I was painting these waxbills, the color combos started looking super eighties. So naturally I had to go with a super eighties tune like "Take On Me". I can hear my little Lavender Waxbills hitting that high note, so in love, and annoying the neighbors... Oh well, sometimes when in love the cute things are only appreciated by those in love:) For Christmas, I created a commission for Steve and his love Kathleen with sunflowers and 'Apapane. I knew right away that I would have to revisit that combination of bird and flower. This time, I kept a dark brown center and simplified it as well. My little birds are 'Apapane, Hawaiian honeycreepers that are known for their multitude of calls and the awesome white rump that looks like a powderpuff extending from a firebird! Everyone loves kisses and these two 'Apapane are no exception. Kisses are the best! As anyone who reads more than one of my posts knows, I love Birdettes! This little Birdette is an 'Anianiau from Hawaii. He is a native honeycreeper and is very creative. When away from nectar flowers, the 'Anianiau will eat fruit by stabbing with its beak and opening it's beak to break it open. Today he decided to fly down and meet us for a little getaway. And like a gentleman, he brought you a gift! So sweet! The ecosystem of Lake Tahoe is amazing. Out of the 880 bird species in the USA, Tahoe plays host to over 300. There's a lot of pines and birch, and beautiful ground flowers. The Dark Eyed Junco is an adorable bird. He puffs up and looks like a sooty cotton ball. My little Birdette Junco is here to say hello. Come join him in Tahoe, where the lake is cool and the birds are hopping! Getting my ducks in a row! What's better than a swim in the lake with your family on a clear day? My Mallard mama and her babies are out early and it looks like one of the ducklings has spotted us. I had to decide how to paint the background, so I chose to focus just on the ducks and their reflections. It's a big lake out there, but when you're with family, the long journey becomes an exciting adventure! Pineapple Princess is the nickname of Kona, my friend Ray's daughter. So naturally when he wanted a painting done for his daughter, we had to incorporate her names, birth name and nickname, into the artwork. Hale in Hawaiian is House and when a home or place is named, it usually is called "Hale (Pineapple Princess)". And often times when you arrive in Hawaii, you are greeted with the fragrant flower lei as a welcoming gift. My 'Apapane is here to welcome visitors to Hale Pineapple Princess for Kona. Aloha!
Here's another for Lake Tahoe! This is the Steller's Jay with a title taken from the lyric of "You've Got A Friend" by James Taylor. He is a popular bird around the Basin and let's you know if he's nearby with loud "scolding" calls. The Steller's Jay is different from the Blue Jay with a more prominent crest and blackish blue head and chest. Similar to the Blue Jay, the Steller's Jay mimics calls, robs nests and can be a bully. But not all the time... This Steller's Jay is a lover, not a fighter. He sings his sweet songs and just stopped by to tell you, "you've got a friend". |
AuthorKaren Obuhanych (kto ART) is a Hawaii-based artist who relishes in the simple, happy moments of everyday life. Archives
May 2019
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