 Coconut Kisses: 'Akepa Pair with Coconuts 16"x16" What's new, I love me some kisses! This 'Akepa pair has made it to the beach for a sun-filled afternoon. Actually it's a little hotter than anticipated, so they decided to find some shade in a nearby coconut palm. With a little breeze, the palm fronds begin to sway just like a built-in fanning system. Such a perfect place to enjoy some much needed time together!
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 Take A Break: Hawaiian Shack with Red Tree Hammock 16"x20" Nothing can be finer than relaxing in your comfy hammock under a big canopy tree such as this big red tree. Everyone should have a special getaway shack where you can go to unwind, sip on your favorite beverage and allow the waves to lull you into tropical bliss. Black-and-White Kitty is doing just that, while the little yellow birds are more interested in taking the surfboard out for a quick sesh.
 'S Wonderful: 'Akepa Pair with Kokio Kea and Waterfall 12"x24" " 'S wonderful! 'S marvelous!
You should care for me! 'S awful nice! 'S paradise! 'S what I love to see! " The lyrics of 'S Wonderful immediately spring to mind when I finished painting this little paradise scene complete with rushing waterfall and big lush Kokio Kea (Hawaiian white hibiscus). My 'Akepas are so in love and couldn't be more happy with their current setting. Certainly is 'S Wonderful to be in Hawaii!  Among The Stars: Yellow Birds with Crescent Moon and Stars 16"x16" This painting derived from "swinging on a star" and morphed into one bird reaching from the moon and the other coming up for kisses from the brightest star.
From initial concept, I moved away from what I normally do by breaking from reality. Usually I'm concerned with being true to the favored environment and flowers of a specific bird species and the birds themselves. Today, my bird friends and I went into outer space and beyond!  Coming In For A Kiss: Hawaiian 'Akepa Pair with Mangoes 12"x24" Hawaiian ‘Akepas are known for the male’s bright orange coloring and their ability to bounce from branch to branch like cheesy-puff acrobats. I imagine these two ‘Akepas are like the circus high-flying acrobats of old. The male ‘Akepa is swinging in close to the lady ‘Akepa who watches adoringly. Once he gains enough momentum, he gets what he’s after: a well-earned kiss!
 Only You And Me: Yellow Birds with Plumeria 18"x24" I talk to my birds as I paint them. These two were so much fun to bring to life! I saw the left bird as very eager to share his love with the right bird, and right bird does in fact share the love but she also holds all the cards. So familiar? This color scheme is one of my favorites: sunny yellow birds with fresh white plumeria and that light and bright turquoise background hit with a couple lines of pure red stems. This is one painting I can’t look at without smiling.
 Hawaiian Lei: Hawaiian Lei Shack 16"x16" What a perfect spot for a lei shack and some rolling waves! My little orange kitty is so very content on his blue stool, watching over his stack of leis. For this shack, I wanted the architecture to be a little more old school than some of the others. There's the tin prop-up window shutter and a lanai that meets the ground without any raised foundation. Although its an older structure, the lei maker has made sure her house is clean and brightly painted. Complete with a full plumeria tree and pink flowered bushes, all you need for an amazing life in paradise is right at your doorstep!
 Moonlight Romance: Canaries and Plumeria in Moonlight 20"x24" This male Canary knows how to romance his lady like a pro! We have the full moon overhead, the sweet smelling Hawaiian Plumeria under foot, moonlight cascading on calm ocean waters and a diamond-filled sky complete with shooting star. Who ever said chivalry and romance is dead?
Not me! 
California Gold: California Quail and California Poppies Vintage-Inspired Poster Painting 12"x12"
I am having a blast with these vintage poster-inspired paintings! From the beginning, I knew I had to create a California poster painting showcasing the state bird, California Quail, and the state flower, California Poppy. I knew I had to have the male quail with all his color as the feature, surrounded by beautifully bright poppies and "CALIFORNIA" scrawled above. My hang-up was: what should the other words be on the painting? I knew I wanted more than just "CALIFORNIA", and I considered writing out the state bird and state flower, but that just seemed like an overkill of "California". So I went with the state nickname and the date of statehood. I love all the bright color I was able to attain in this painting. This is the Pop-piest poster painting I have done to date! (pun intended!)
Sail Lake Tahoe: Red Sailboat in Lake Tahoe 10"x20"
How much fun did I have painting "Sail Lake Tahoe"? A whole lot. From the get-go, I wanted to paint a sailboat with the mountains and pines behind. I kept the sailboat very basic. It was difficult at first because my brain wants to go more detailed, but I wanted to go for more block colors and simplify the painting as much as possible.
My boat looks like it is really taking off! There must be a good breeze in the air. With clear blue skies and a little snow on the mountains, I bet this boat ride would be the perfect treat on a Tahoe getaway! |
AuthorKaren Obuhanych (kto ART) is a Hawaii-based artist who relishes in the simple, happy moments of everyday life. Archives
August 2017
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