Last year, I met Barbara and Ross. They have since found a very good home for many of my kto paintings and we became quick friends.
This year, we decided to do a few commissions. One specific and one left up to me.
"Cascading Love" is the mystery piece. I was going to send out an initial sketch, but it didn't read clear and so I just started painting. Barbara, Ross and I discussed having birds represent the family in this one. I had the option of painting five birds (immediate family) or nine birds (including daughters' families). I did five birds because nine would have been too many for this size canvas and I used Gold Finches because they are known to flock in big groups, plus they have great color!
At my parents' house, my mom loves to garden and she has a step trellis with cascading flowers. I thought that would give us the flowing flower feel that we discussed in the gallery. The two birds at the top I see as Barbara and Ross, all snuggled together, with the girls doing their own silly thing below. Good Fun!

We are all just a bunch o’ coconuts!
These two birds are Hawaiian 'Akepas. The male grows into his bright orange ensemble within a few years while his lady stays under the radar in modest peachy green. Interesting fact about 'Akepas, they have a crossbill that is only noticeable close-up since they are so small. I keep them simple, so the crossbill is not evident here...
My friends, the ‘Akepas, have come down to the beach to try a tasty treat of coconut water and coconut meat. Shaded by the palm fronds and cooled by the shore breeze, life can’t get any better than this!