I think almost every artist that paints Hawaiian scenes, relaxing views and calming compositions has named a painting "Take It Easy", but I could not resist with this one... He looks so happy on his birch perch with the gentle wind breezing through his feathers in slow motion like an awesome Charlie's Angels scene of Farrah Fawcett. It's a good day when you can close your eyes for a moment and simply enjoy a peaceful moment with one's self.

This painting came out so hot with color that I needed a title with some heat! Java Sparrows are all over the Hawaiian Islands. They are adaptive and quick, not to mention adorable... "Hot Tropics" is a small 5"x5" but what my little bird lacks in size, he makes up with personality!

I've had this sketch on my "To Do" list for a while now. Owls are very popular right now. Every shop I go into, there are little hoots all over the place. Usually that would deter me from adding to the madness, but I just love them so much I can't help myself! How can you say no to those big doe-eyes?

Some dogs are cute, and some dogs a so freakin' adorable it's almost unbearable. Take little Samson here, he's just a tiny enough to fill out a 5x7 painting and yet his cute factor overfloweth. Hooray for fun commissions! Keep them coming!

Love Jack Russells! Super smart, toughie-tough yet loving energy balls wrapped up in a little stocky package.

This Jack is actually a Daisy that I made for my friend's sister. We started from the get-go with the idea to have Daisy in daisies, but the title came later... Cross this one off the list, Christmas is almost here!

The 'Akepa, one of my favorite birds to paint, and the Acacia Koa (known to most as simply Koa) are very special to Hawaii. Both are only found on our islands, and both are in desperate need of conservation aide. Volunteers have planted new Koa in high elevations and cleared areas of rubbish and as many harmful invasive species as possible to promote regrowth in trees and elevated numbers of birds. Koa is the 'Akepa's primary tree of choice for nesting, so basically Koa is home.

My 'Akepa pair are spending the afternoon enjoying each other's company at home. As we call it: they are being couch potatoes aka bum-bum-be-dum-dums:)

Chickadee! I say it every time, but I love me some chickadees! We have the Pacific or Chestnut-Sided Chickadees in Northern California, where I grew up, and I miss them here in Hawaii. There is something about their fearless curiosity and fluffy bodies that I can't resist. Plus they look as though someone pulled a hat firmly down over their brows, giving them that scrunched face. It's always a happy day with a chickadee sighting!

I've been listening to Maroon 5 a lot lately and this song "Love Somebody" is one of my faves. So when I finished my little Blue Finch Birdette, I knew what his title would be... This painting started out with the a cute sketch of the bird in pose, then I thought about color combos and went with bright blues and a pale yellow background. Sometimes the little paintings take a lot of time to make just right, but "Love Somebody" came together so quickly it was as though he really needed to come to life ASAP!

Two Turtle Doves! You know what's next... But first, let's focus on this painting!

My mom actually suggested I paint something in this vein, doves with poinsettia. I listen to my mommy:)

Doves are always giving each other kisses and preening each other's feathers, so I felt it fitting that my two turtle doves are all cuddled up and kissy faces.

The Northern Cardinal is one of my favorite birds here in Hawaii. Males are bright red. They bob as they fly and it looks like bursts of color pulsing through the air. My Cardinal male is patiently waiting for his lady to catch up. On walks I will watch pairs of Northern Cardinals play tag. The male will fly ahead and call for his lady to join him. Then the female will launch ahead and call for her man to follow suit. Every time I see one, I know the other is close behind (or ahead)...