I made Green Gold Tortoise a few days back to celebrate World Turtle Day. Initially, I planned to create a Hawaiian sea turtle, but we had a field trip to see dolphins and on the way we saw tortoises. Suddenly I had an urge to make some stumpy legs. This is an 8"x8" hand-painted paper collage with gold and white paint pen details.

Every day is a new day with new opportunities to learn and grow. I've taken that to heart with my art as well. Since becoming a mom a few years ago, I have found limited time to paint. Instead of stressing over the small amount of time I have, I've decided to just play. Just go with it and see what comes about. And I've found a joy in trying out different media including paper collage.  So here's a little beauty:
Aloha Lei 8"x 8" on watercolor paper
I paint all the paper and use paint pens as well to add highlights.
It's a joy to be able to create and share. ALOHA!

and now for something completely different! I received a new iPad Pro and have been sketching on it when my daughter sleeps. It started it as just sketching and keeping up the practice of drawing, which is my first love. I started posting them on Instagram and Facebook, encouraging friends to send me pictures to sketch. These are three beautiful cats whose pictures where sent to me by Holly. Now I am posting images as I go on Instagram @kto_ART (follow me to get updates) and on my FB page Facebook.com/ktoART (like my page for updates). If you don't do social media, I will add new ones to my website and blog every week!

I love birds and I love birdhouses, so this painting makes me happy. It was missing the sign, but I took care of that quickly and now it feels more like a birdhome rather than birdhouse. Home Sweet Home!

Honu On The Reef 12"x12" is complete! I am enjoying these marine life paintings chalk full of colorful reef and little fish. This painting has the honu of course but there's also two menpachi (red), a couple different types of butterfly fish, two kihikihis (b/w), yellow tangs, a parrotfish, a polkadot moa and a bird wrasse. It's an aquarium in here!

Big Island Storefronts 12"x36" new original for Genesis Gallery!
A day down by the shops isn't complete without some beach time, a little surfing, and art browsing topped off with a shave ice, sweet smelling lei and fresh fruit. Ooo, maybe a Mai Tai too! Yum!

Hi All, it has been a very long time but I plan to get back into posting new work starting now! This is a painting in progress video showing my latest original from start to finish. Every painting is an adventure and I always learn something new in each piece. For this one, it's my first painting to include humpback whales. I don't know why it's taken so long for me to paint these amazing creatures, but it certainly won't be my last whale painting.
Find this original and more at Genesis Gallery!
www.genesisgalleryhawaii.com
808.886.7770
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Based on the song "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head", these two yellow birds are having a good time out in the rain. Most birds seek shelter with the slightest hint of rain. Our two friends here don't care about the weather, as long as they are together. Every rainstorm becomes a love shower!

The sun may be setting, but these two White-Eyes are enjoying their time together among a hedge of blooming yellow hibiscus. The White-Eye, or mejiro, is a tiny little bird with white rings around his eyes that make him look permanently surprised. These two have those big bright eyes, but instead of surprised, I see these two are content. Their eyes are bright and shiny because their lives are full of joy and happiness.

The Kokala, Hawaiian Porcupinefish, is a cute but deadly little guy. He differs from a pufferfish mainly because he has spiny skin, not smooth. Otherwise, the Kokala is very similar to a pufferfish. He has big eyes for seeing at night, is toxic to consume and puffs up when alarmed or threatened. This little fish is not alarmed at the moment, he is just so excited to see you!