I love making the birds with signage. This 'Akepa looks very excited to welcome you to Big Island, Hawaii. And before I get any comments alerting me to the fact that I forgot "the" before "Big Island", that's how it's said. Big Island is a description, but it's also the other name of the island known as Hawaii to differentiate it with the whole state of Hawaii. So I left the "the" out on purpose!

'Akepa is an adorable bird. Unfortunately, they are endangered like most native Hawaiian birds. The male's bright orange feathers makes him easy to spot in the wild. It takes him about four years to develop his cheese puff vibrancy, but it is worth the wait. What a handsome fellow!

I'm so very happy with this painting. My White-Eye looks nice and plump. The plumerias are blooming and my warm coral background is perfect! I'm not boasting, just really stoked:)

This adorable White-Eye is hanging out, hoping for a little company. Like all my single birdies, this guy is eagerly awaiting your arrival and brought flowers for the occasion. Aloha!

Hooray for owls! I had to create a new Pueo painting and he just came out great! Blue with yellow and orange is one of my favorite combos.

The Pueo is a Hawaiian Short-Eared Owl that nests on the ground. They are small owls with tattered wings to help them silently swoop down and snatch up prey. Sometimes you can see them stealthily whiz by, on their way to dinner.

My Pueo looks so ready to have a good time, thus the owl pun for his title. Couldn't resist, it just popped into my head.

This has been a really great holiday season and beyond for my budding kto ART, and I have lots of collectors and supporters to thank! I met Barbara and Ross this weekend at Genesis Gallery, and they decided to take home a few paintings for their girls and themselves. We met yesterday for a client/artist photoshoot:)

I have a painting on the way, but for now I thought I'd post this pretty pic. Thanks B&R!!

A few months back, I made "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" and sent it to Wyland Galleries. A client of mine from Genesis Gallery saw a picture of that painting and we had this incredible conversation about her good friend who passed but loved bluebirds and that was her song. So naturally I had to create a rendition specifically for her.

Being an active artist is really amazing. Half the time, I send out my paintings to off-island galleries and don't know anything about the people who end up purchasing my art. Working at the Genesis Gallery here on Big Island, I actually get to meet some of my art clients and hear their stories. This story with the bluebirds is one of the most gratifying connection. I hear artists say all the time, "I want to touch people with my art" or "with my art I try to move people to tears". Before selling my artwork, I thought these artists were a bit much (to say it nicely). But after talking with people that come into the gallery or email from my website, I get why artists are addicted to that emotional connection. When it clicks, it's nothing short of magical. That's really all I can say about that.

The Saffron Finch is a beautiful little bird. Every morning I am visited by these bursts of color streaking through the air on my morning walk. I noticed that they are not at all intimidated by us walking along side them. Two Saffron Finches sat, without fidgeting, as we passed under their fence yesterday. They kinda looked at each other and said (without saying) "what do you think?" "I don't want to move, do you?" "Nah"...

This Saffron Finch is more that tolerating our existence, he's ready for an adventure. He's actually been awaiting your arrival. Oh goody, a new friend to play with! Have fun you guys:)

I just love this composition: the cascading branch of Pikake flowers, the 'Apapane pair that look like there is no better place then right there... The green background is so vibrant and fresh, it really makes my 'Apapanes pop! I'm just plain happy about this painting, not much else to say about that.
The 'Apapane is a native Hawaiian bird, one species of the Hawaiian honeycreepers that live on these beautiful islands. One fun fact: the male 'Apapane is quite the singer. He sings all throughout the courtship of his lady, during breeding season and nesting too. The females don't sing so much, I guess the boys have such sweet voices that the ladies just sit and swoon...

Both Genesis Gallery in Waikoloa and Wyland Gallery in Waikiki wanted some larger paintings, so I am working on a few to start:)

"Heaven Can Wait" is 24"x30". I went with green-turquoise for the background and absolutely love it! The 'Anianiau birds look so happy in their plumeria tree. They are usually found higher up in the dense forests of Kauai, but today these two decided to take a day trip down the hill (and across the ocean a bit).

If all days started like this, Heaven could certainly wait!