Hawaiian forest-living

Hāpuʻu-ʻŌhi`a forest, 6"x12", oil on canvas (SOLD)

Some paintings take a year ... Yup, I started this one in November of last year and set it aside after the initial blocking in. It's a view of my backyard, from the view of my "studio" so I knew I would be able to get back to it because I see this view every day. The ʻapapane (red native honeycreeper birds) outside were calling from the same trees so I took at as a calling back to the painting. 

I havenʻt decided whether to paint in the birds or leave it as is. What do you think? Does this need a spot of red?

Please excuse the highlights. The painting is still wet. 

Beaufort tree

When I walk past a tree with interesting bark or form, it will stop me in my tracks (blame the botanist in me) ... and of course I have to take a picture. This really cool tree grew in the back yard of the house I stayed at in Beaufort, NC, where my friend Karen got married in November. I have no clue what kind of tree it is tho' (Anyone know?). I drew this mostly with a .005 Pigma micron pen and some .03 for shading. I'm pretty happy with it, thanks to Kate who provided valuable feedback as I neared the end.

Banyan Tree

Banyan trees are just fun trees to draw. This is one at Wailoa State Park. It's found at one end of the park, where I take Kanoe for a walk and watch people fishing for mullet or papio.

EDM #15 - Trees, leaves, or branches (4th Fact)

Fact #4: Years ago, I didn't enter the medical field because I was too frightened to take one communications class (that required me to speak in front of people). So, I became a botanist instead.

I know it's odd to think of it now since I have to speak publicly often, but I was a shy kid and well, nothing, and I mean absolutely NOTHING, would have made me take a class like that back then.

Thankfully, being a botanist means I now know the name of the plant from which this stump came. This is a stump of a Bougainvillea bush that I found at the airport while waiting for my plane home. I really liked its gnarly form.