Rainbows make everything better! These bright balls of sunshine are enjoying a romantic getaway in Hawaii, sharing a kiss in Waikiki with waves rushing in and the scenic view of Diamond Head. In Hawaii, we have a bright orange-red flowering tree called the Royal Poinciana and it blooms bursts of fiery red blossoms that canopy the tree like a colorful beach umbrella. It's the perfect day to celebrate love!

I love creating pet portraits for people like me who adore their pets and cherish them as the family that they are...
Bruce and his family are no exception, and I am thankful and appreciative that he asked me to paint his precious pooch, Muffin, and cuddly kitty, Manju. It was a tight squeeze, but I was able to get their big personalities together in a 5"x7" canvas. Bruce knew exactly what he wanted, being an artist himself, and even sent me a cut-and-paste computerized vision to help get me started. 
Although I am currently focused on larger paintings, sometimes the most satisfaction derives from painting these minis and capturing the loved ones we hold so dear.
Many Mahalos Bruce!

This coming Thursday, I will get to meet Bruce because I will be painting in the Signature/DeRubeis Gallery at Ko'olina from 3-7pm. Come say "hi!" if you are on Oahu!

I love how sweet this painting came out! My little 'Akepas are sharing a Ke Aloha kiss in their favorite tree, the Acacia Koa (or simply Koa), which only grows in Hawaii and is prized for it's hardwood. The Koa tree is now protected from logging and can only be harvested if naturally felled. The Koa has cute little puffball flowers. They match my Orange-Aid puffball 'Akepas perfectly!These two are part of my Ke Aloha Series that features native Hawaiian birds making kissy hearts. Profits of these paintings will go to help the conservation projects working to protect and revive endangered Hawaiian bird species.
To find out more about the conservation projects in Hawaii, check out:
www.restoremaunakea.org
www.abcbirds.org
www.mauiforestbirds.org

A start to a great concept! My friend Kris gave me this idea and I am loving it! In this shack painting, I have my two yellow birds trying to make a living in Hawaii with Leis for Sale! they found an old fashioned plantation style house right on the beach with a hibiscus bush growing along the lanai and a palm tree shading the side. It's the perfect spot to string and sell sweet plumeria leis in all different colors. I think these two will succeed with flying colors, after all, the first three rules of real estate (and business space) is location, Location, LOCATION!

I am a huge fan of everything in this painting. Love my yellow Canaries, love my red-orange bougainvillea and the moonlight cascading over my lovebirds. I don't mean to boast, but gosh this came out great!
These two birdies are enjoying a romantic evening in Waikiki on a brightly colored branch of bougainvillea and a scenic view of Diamond Head. Full moon...check! Warm breeze... check! A kiss to make it everything perfect... triple check!!! 

When I got the call that "Heaven Can Wait" sold, I was elated. Then I received an email from Sean, the new owner of "Heaven Can Wait", inquiring about a commission of his family in birds and I was double elated!
We went with the same birds, 'Anianiaus, from "Heaven Can Wait" and Sean picked out the Jacaranda tree for their nesting home. Then I drew out a couple sketches and started painting. This painting came out beautiful, bright and full of happy energy. What a happy family! Thank you Sean and Family for bringing this painting to life!

The Pueo is a very sweet looking owl from Hawaii. Also known as the Hawaiian Short-Eared Owl, the Pueo settles in valley grasses rather than roosting in trees. They have big yellow eyes, better to see with. And hidden high-low ears, better to hear with. And tatter-edged wing feathers and sharp talon claws, better to streak through the air like an adorable bird ninja, creep up on prey and scoop them up with. Nature is both awesomely beautiful and brutal at the same time, and this pair is no exception. Although amazingly snugglicious, Pueos are built to stalk, snatch and snack. However, these two are not concerned with their next meal, they are too caught up in each other. Maybe it's the beautiful sunset, or the Jacaranda's soothing purple petals. Or maybe it's just that they love each other so much... Whatever the case, these two Pueos are enjoying their evening in love:)

One of my favorite paintings, "Heaven Can Wait", sold last month and I was very happy to see it went to a great home but also felt I needed to have another go at the composition. With "Sway", I wanted to keep the expansive feeling of a bountiful plumeria tree with two birds full of light and happy energy, but change the point of view just a bit.

I imagine these two 'Anianiaus are gently perched on this branch, allowing the breeze to sway them side to side with the delicate scent of plumeria wafting through the air. It reminded me of "Sway" (the Dean Martin version):

"When Marimba Rhythms start to play
Dance with me, make me sway
Like a lazy ocean hugs the shore
Hold me close, sway me more

Like a flower bending in the breeze
Bend with me, sway with ease
When we dance you have a way with me
Stay with me, sway with me"

Perfection!