Hope Has Wings: Juvenile Robin with Monarch 6"x12"
I based this painting off of “High Hopes”, and wanted my young robin to match colors with the butterfly in the sky. Robin juveniles have a completely different look than their parents. With dull grey/brown heads and backs and a creamy slightly yellow or orange breast with spots, the untrained eye would assume they are a totally separate species of bird. But the youngsters will grow out of their awkward stages and into graceful, beautifully orange breasted mamas and papas. Until that day comes, this baby robin will be looking to the sky and test out his little wings.
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Wow, did I have a fun time painting these pet portraits of Morgan and Brian's furbabies!
We have Dash in blue, Kalix in green and Ella in purple. I think the best part about this commission was reading Morgan's descriptions of each pup. Dash wishes he was an only child and he is very practical. He pulls the bedspread into his bed and when its too furry, he pulls it into the hallway by the laundry so the adults get the hint... Kalix is the Mama's Boy and must be propped just right amongst pillows whilst sleeping. Ella is the princess with turbo speed and she shows off by banking off anything and everything (including people) when playing a good game of chase. I love that we went with different colors for each dog and they look so very happy together. Merry Christmas Brian! (Morgan's gift is complete!)
MERRY CHRISTMASMerry Christmas everyone! Christmas is a day when we can all be together whether literally or just in spirit. My Christmas wish is that everyone can enjoy the day as a celebration of life and all the good that can come our way. Let the numbness of daily routines and the residue of hard times be set aside at least for this day (or better yet, for good!), so that we can truly appreciate everything big or small with which we are blessed.
*cards to be available next year! 
Kisses And Coffee: Po'ouli Pair and Kona Coffee Cherries 8"x10"
I love me some coffee in the morning and I love kisses too! These two birds are Po'ouli, a possibly extinct native bird of Hawaii. They have a grey top head over their black faces which gives them a military flat-top look. Paired with a fluffy cream-colored breast, these birds are quite adorable. My two are sharing kisses (what's new) on a blooming branch of Kona coffee cherries. The cherries ripen at different times so you see ruby reds next to olive greens with budding flowers inbetween. For some reason, this painting feels a little Christmassy to me. Must be the colors, or maybe it's just that time of year... 
Snow Day: Tahoe Ski Cabin 12"x12"
Ever since I started painting the Hawaiian shacks, I always thought Tahoe cabins would be fun to add into the mix. There are so many cool architectural features of Tahoe cabins that we don't have here in Hawaii. My favorite design is the A-frame house, so this cabin is a variation of the A-frame, but I could go even more A-frame in the future. I added a little deck off the side that is currently being used as a support for the skis. And no snow cabin is complete without a super cute snowman standing guard and a Christmassy tree to the side. It took all my willpower to not decorate that tree in glass ornaments... Let it snow!  Just One Look: Gentoo Penguins Checking You Out 6"x12" Just One Look, That's All It Took: especially for the little Gentoo on the left who has been stopped in his tracks checking you out! I love the Gentoo penguins and their snowy white eyebrows. They look like Groucho Marx in color reverse. My favorite penguin in this group is probably Penguin #3. He just looks so content and slightly not all there... You know it's wintertime when I'm releasing the penguin paintings! Love to line them up and make them look a little silly:) All dressed up and respectable-like.
Republishing this painting for everyone who didn't receive the text yesterday!  Front Street: Beachfront Hawaiian Shops 22"x28" This painting was inspired by Lahaina's Front Street set up with shops and restaurants lining the harbor in all different sizes and colors. I used the West Maui Mountains for the backdrop, but created my favorite shops all on one street. We've got the Saimin Shop with every set up of saimin wet or dry that you could imagine. Surf's Up Surf Store next door to grab a board for an impromptu surf session. Hawaiian Style Aloha Shirt Shop for that authentic Aloha shirt that straddles the border between awesome and awful. Shave Ice Shack for an after-saimin treat that'll keep you cool. And lastly the Aloha Flowers and Leis where you can pick up a lei for your incoming crew.
All set! I loved painting Front Street, so much so that I've thought up more ideas for future street paintings. Any suggestions are welcome!  This painting was inspired by Lahaina's Front Street set up with shops and restaurants lining the harbor in all different sizes and colors. I used the West Maui Mountains for the backdrop, but created my favorite shops all on one street. We've got the Saimin Shop with every set up of saimin wet or dry that you could imagine. Surf's Up Surf Store next door to grab a board for an impromptu surf session. Hawaiian Style Aloha Shirt Shop for that authentic Aloha shirt that straddles the border between awesome and awful. Shave Ice Shack for an after-saimin treat that'll keep you cool. And lastly the Aloha Flowers and Leis where you can pick up a lei for your incoming crew.
All set! I loved painting Front Street, so much so that I've thought up more ideas for future street paintings. Any suggestions are welcome! 
Guava is a messy yet delicious fruit that is most popularly found as the "G" in POG juice and reduced into dessert sauces or yummy cakes. But I think the best way to eat guava is picked straight from the tree, warmed slightly by the sun and smeared all over your face and hands.
Here we have two 'Akepa birds contemplating what to sample first: fruit or flower... ‘Akepas are amazing with bright orange plumage on the male and a duller yet adorable peachy green color on the female. The 'Akepa is a native bird of Hawaii and the orange 'Akepas are found on Big Island Hawaii. These two ‘Akepas found the perfect guava branch to enjoy some shade, snuggles and fresh fruit. Although they prefer nectar to fruit, I'm sure these two will make an exception today. There’s even a couple of guava flowers to add to the ambiance. So lucky to be in Hawaii! 
Lean On Me: 'Anianiau Pair with Plumeria 24"x30"
It has been awhile since my last entry, but I'm back now! These last few months have been rife with emotional ups and downs for me and my family. Especially with all the holidays lined up at the end of the year, every feeling is intensified exponentially. That's when you need someone to hold your hand, cook you dinner or help with everyday errands that seem trivial at the time but need to get done. That's what my birds are all about in this painting "Lean on Me". They are there for each other, thru thick and thin. Times may be tough and it may seem like there is no end in sight. But with a little love and support from family and/or friends, I believe we can overcome anything. |
AuthorKaren Obuhanych (kto ART) is a Hawaii-based artist who relishes in the simple, happy moments of everyday life. Archives
May 2019
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