Hale Samoan

Date: 6/30/2009

Location: Kona Village Resort

Size: 9" x 12"

Medium: Oil on stretched canvas

Price: SOLD

Artist's Comments: Tucked in the shadows, grass thatching catches a pocket of light creating a pleasant glow thru the dense foliage. A winding pathway dancing with shadows attracted my attention as my eye was drawn to the dark dense doorway. I was quite amazed at how quickly and freely I was able to pull together this painting. Perhaps it was because I had worked on such larger pieces that this small painting felt like a sketch of sorts. I didn’t labor over details and just freely brushed on the paint working from thinner dark coats to thicker, lighter highlights.

To view other paintings in my collection, click on the section labeled "View all SitaScapes" located at the top right of my blog. I have categorized my paintings by the month as I complete them.

Hale New Hebrides

Date: 6/29/2009

Location: Kona Village Resort

Size: 9" x 12"

Medium: Oil on stretched canvas

Price: SOLD

Artist's Comments: Perched on the edge of Mahewalu Point at Kona Village, this striking hale enjoys some of the most wonderful views on the island. The sea laps gently against lava rocks just steps away while an ancient carved tiki guards against ill spirits. Cool tradewinds come off the water cooling the inland oasis. My challenge with this piece was to differentiate the tone of the hale walls with the thatched roofing. To my eye, I saw them both as being a light tan but, this did not register well on the canvas. I went thru a couple different tones and variations before I was satisfied with this combination. The vibrancy of the ocean and detail on the waves against the rocks was very realistic and offers a good sense of motion.

To view other paintings in my collection, click on the section labeled "View all SitaScapes" located at the top right of my blog. I have categorized my paintings by the month as I complete them.

Turning Trades I & II

Date: 6/28/2009

Location: Kaloko Ponds

Size: 2 panels 24" x 36" each

Medium: Oil on stretched canvas

Artist's Comments: The simplicity of this subject continues to draw my eye; palm trees set against a pale sky contrasted by Hualalai Mountain on a clear morning. By taking two 2' x 3' canvas I was able to create a 4' x 3' large image spread over them both. I have completed diptych's before but, my intent here was that the paintings would need each other to complete the story. The larger scaled allowed me to get more detail in my brushwork in the palm fronds which seem to dance with the sun's reflection.

To view other paintings in my collection, click on the section labeled "View all SitaScapes" located at the top right of my blog. I have categorized my paintings by the month as I complete them.

Weekend Escape II

Date: 6/20/2009

Location: Kona Village Resort

Size: 16" x 20"

Medium: Oil on stretched canvas

Price: Available at Kohala Coast Fine Art (808) 886-4240

Artist's Comments: Kona Village has a series of winding foot paths leading guests from their free-standing thatched bungalows to the beach and amenities. With occupancy low, one such footpath became my plein air studio for the day. The quite calm was uninterrupted except perhaps by a pair of ducks making a ruckus over a rival flock that came too close their their island. Although the subject matter was difficult, I was so relaxed in these surroundings that I didn't get upset when I made a mistake or used the wrong color - I simply brushed it over with a new color and continued to enjoy the serenity of this place. I painted this subject on two canvas with the option to place both paintings together to create a panorama. This is the second piece.

To view other paintings in my collection, click on the section labeled "View all SitaScapes" located at the top right of my blog. I have categorized my paintings by month - click on each month to view the paintings it contains.

Weekend Escape I

Date: 6/20/2009

Location: Kona Village Resort

Size: 18" x 24"

Medium: Oil on stretched canvas

Artist's Comments: The moment you drive into the Kona Village Resort, massive carved tiki's hint to an experience unlike any other; leaving behind the worries of everyday life in exchange for a weekend filled with peaceful relaxation. The natural beauty of the native brush is reflected by fresh water ponds that bring life to this oasis. Colors and light dance across the smooth waters disturbed occasionally by a fish tail or duck swimming by. As any painter will know, reflections appear simple but are anything but when attempting to capture them on canvas. I chose to spread my subject across two canvas; this being the first of the pair.