Eternal Bloom

Date: 6/22/2011

Location: In studio

Size: 12" x 12"

Medium: Oil on stretched canvas

Artist's Comments: My mom loves orchids and I decided to give this painting to her so that no matter where she is, she will always have at least one orchid in bloom. This painting was done in studio during one of Lori Hight's lessons. During this session she wanted us to focus on the variations of greens found in the leaves. We started by mixing 3 colors to use in the leaves and got the correct mixtures identified. Then we started to lay down the paint and bringing in other elements of the scene. The pot was sitting on a modeled glass top and I decided to render it with my pallet knife to help convey the textured suface. I enjoy how the color and texture of the table constrasts well against the soft dark brown background. Many areas allow my pink sketch to show through and that provides a bright, warm highlights in the leaves.


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.

Greens on the Sea

Date: 6/09/2011

Location: Mauna Kea Resort

Size: 8" x 10"

Medium: Oil on stretched canvas

Artist's Comments: While out on another scouting trip for ideas on my commissioned project, I returned to Mauna Kea to try to capture the stunning 3rd hole of their Robert Trent Jones, Jr. course. Golfers tee off a rocky cliff, over a small bay and hope their ball doesn't roll off the voluptuous hillside and into the sea. The color scheme of this composition fit the project to a tee; rust oranges, azure blues with splashes of green. After learning the client's were indeed golfers I knew this would be a perfect option to present. I wanted to capture the perspective of standing on the tee and looking out onto the green but there was one small challenge; I didn't want to get injured or interrupt anyone's game. I contacted and met with the Resort manager Phyllis who pointed me out to a perfect spot. I scampered onto the rocky cliff adjacent to the tee under a wonderfully shady Kiawe tree and got started. The painting came together quite quickly and I enjoyed how the rust shades of the Kohala mountains can be interpreted as the skyline at sunset. I enjoy how it is up to the viewer to interpret what those colors represent.

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.

Frederico's In the Sand

Date: 6/02/2011

Location: Mauna Kea Beach

Size: 9" x 12"

Medium: Oil on stretched canvas

Artist's Comments:

I was commissioned to create three large pieces for a Mauna Kea resident and realized that in all the time I have been painting along the Big Island coastline, I had not painted at Mauna Kea beach. I imagined that big white beach filled with more people than palm trees with little shade to offer and was never inspired to paint that location. With new eyes I journeyed to Mauna Kea and upon arriving at the beach was surprised to find that the beach was more attractive and peaceful than I had imagined. Although there were many tourists, the beach was so vast that there is more than enough room for everyone to enjoy the sun without having to sit on top of each other. I managed to find a patch of shade in the far South corner of the beach and when looking back at the shoreline, a wonderful composition presented itself. The azure waters reaching up onto bleached beaches, with dark cool shadows in the foliage providing a striking contrast. The palm trees at Mauna Kea are old and very tall; swaying in the breeze as they reach for the sky. Small umbrellas and beach cabanas lie in the sand providing a short reprieve from the warm sun. In the North corner sits one of the Island's best restaurants. Sitting just steps from the sea, there can't be a better bar in Hawaii. After painting I moseyed over and sipped on Mauna Kea's signature concoction; a Frederico (light rum; Jack Daniels; orange, guava, passion fruit, and unsweetened pineapple juice blended into an irresistible cocktail) It would have been rude to travel all the way to Mauna Kea without drinking their signature drink!

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.