First off, thanks to Kari for choosing to give "Walk On The Wild Side" a good home! And Kazuko from Japan took home "Day In Paradise"!

These are little Saffron Finches. The male is brilliant gold with a red smudge on his forehead and chin, while the female ranges from greys and greens to a paler greenish-yellow tone. My soulmates are enjoying a lush afternoon on a common tree found in Hawaii called Cassia Javanica. To me, the flowers look almost like hibiscus except a little smaller and more fluttery thin... And in a tree.

I have been waiting for a painting to come along that fit this song title. I felt that the male bird would have to be utterly amazed by his perfect lady, and the flowers would have to be elaborate. When I finished this painting, I knew I had a winner!

I needed a really bright, cheery song title for this painting! I love these colors and my little Java Sparrows look so content in their plumeria tree. We have Javas all over Waikoloa. They perch on fences and hop about in the long grass. With their black caps and dark suits, Javas look like they are a little over dressed for Hawaii. Then you see how they bound around and play with one another, and you realize that they are here just to have a good time!

Nothing is cooler than bright yellow bushy eyebrows, right? These penguins are Erect Crested Penguins and are distinguishable by their striking streak of sunshine atop their crowns. Not much is known about this type of penguin. They only breed on two islands in New Zealand and prefer rocky areas to nest. In water, their crests lay flat, so they are really only recognizable on dry land. My Erect Crested Penguins are rocking out and showing some awesome moves. The Jagger boys!

The 'Anianiau is a beautiful, bright yellow Hawaiian honeycreeper that is known to exists only in the most dense, wet forests of Kauai. Both male and female are bright yellow, although the female is slightly duller. They nest in Ohia and love sipping nectar from Lehua (Ohia flower) and other Hawaiian flora, but bugs like caterpillars give them a little more protein.

Pikake is one of my most favorite smelling flower in Hawaii. Pikake is the Hawaiian name for Jasimnum sambac (Jasmine family) which is also found in India, the Philippines and other similar climates. They have little flowers that open up and have that sweet aroma of misty rainforest candy.

Together, the 'Anianiau and Pikake make a pretty pair. They are a little reminder of the paradise that is Hawaii!

I love the Pueo! A small, Hawaiian owl that nests in fields, the Pueo has a sweet heart mask with black mascara eye patches. Their wings are tattered to break the sound of wind while flying, allowing for stealthy overhead hunting. Covered, hi-low ears enable the Pueo to hear from multiple angles at the same time which helps their mobility and prey detection.

My Pueo is a rainbow of colors with those bright yellow eyes and fluffy spotted chest feathers. Love him!

Love this composition with the giant flower and a cute little bird. I have lots of painting ideas in the works, but this look is has to be one of my favorites. When I paint a single bird with a beautiful flower, I see the bird as a welcoming friend and the flower as his gift to you upon your arrival. Our (my bird's and my) way of presenting you with a lei when you visit.

For visitors to the islands: have a wonderful vacation in Hawaii!

For those who visit my art online: wish you were here!

And for all of us who live in Hawaii: Chee-hoo!

The Electric Slide... penguin style! My mom actually gave me this idea. I had so much fun creating "Walk On The Wild Side" that I had to keep going. As I see it, each penguin has a different feeling. There's the one sliding, he's the one who starts the party. He's the one that always has the latest looks and creates the hottest new dance moves. The penguin closest to him is saying, "that looks fun, I wanna go too!" The one next to him is saying, "wow! He's going fast!" Then the third in the crowd is ducking down, trying to get a good look at all the commotion. And finally the one on the far left is totally distracted by us watching all of them!

Life is good when you're a penguin in the 'hood...

The Japanese White-Eye is a tiny, adorable bird that was introduced to Hawaii back in the day. They make tiny little nests of grass and whatever else is accessible including tinsel and cotton balls. And the nest is sometimes precariously hanging from one branch, like the nest that hung in my plumeria tree last year.

My favorite characteristic of the Japanese White-Eye is their song. It sounds like little bubbles popping in rapid succession. I guarantee that this little guy is just about to burst into song... He's just waiting to catch your eye!

I am on a warbler kick. I have been drawing out sketches of various warblers for the past week and I just can't get enough! These two are Golden Cheeked Warblers (for obvious reasons). I finally decided on the oak tree as their perch destination because that is one of their faves. The mighty oak is one of my faves as well, but I have to go to California to see them. I love gnarly trees with spooky limbs and massive trunks.

The song choice just popped into my head and felt right. These birdies are sitting on a bend of a branch and the male on the right looks a little amped like John Fogarty, so yea... It works for me:)