Easter in Hawaii!

We were invited to a brunch and easter egg hunt in the neighborhood-it was fun and so cool to be in such a different world -same, but such a contrast to my own traditional family Easter. Lots of kids and parents- a very young crowd- and here are the shoes outside the door. There was an egg hunt 

and general hanging out. Its great to see this generation with their kids.

 I feel like an old lady! 

                                We decorated eggs- here's mine- with wax.

Hope you all had a fun Easter!

studies on the road from Hawi- oils on canvas

Okay -I had to put yet another rainbow on the blog- I have never seen so many ! And they look like you can hold them in your hand... or run under them...or find a pot of gold! It's hard to look away. I suppose, however, that one could become indifferent to them-its a common phenomenon. I see them from time when I water the garden in the sunshine or take an outdoor shower. Magical!

Today was the farmers market- last one for me for a while - and here is Jan's neighbor Stephen- orchid farmer- and really great guy. 

Not the best day for painting at the market so I took the car and went to Hawi and Upolu point- the very most northern tip of the island.

On the way back I pulled over and painted these quick 15 minute studies in the passenger seat of the car...

this last one I did sitting cross legged in the back- with the hatchback open.
I think I need to do more yoga to sit in this pose!

"Sweet Morning in the meadow" oil on canvas 6"X8"

After the windy days we've been having for the past few days I was thrilled to wake up to a clear sky and no wind.
I am still waking up naturally at 5 AM-its so strange- I guess I am still on east coast time-I wish I woke up so easily at home- think of what I could accomplish! Of course- I am in bed sound asleep at 9:30 here-at home there are just way too many social events to attend...but I'm loving this schedule! I headed out to pasture armed with a travel mug of coffee in my apron pocket and did this sketch as the sun appeared over the hill. I was in the zone.
Here is a quick sketch of the farmhouse on the way up the hill...

I looked up and this is what was going on a few feet from my face- geez! Mini moo is two - isn't she a tad old to still be nursing? Ah, it's not my place to judge....

After breakfast Dad and I want to Mauna Lani resort to snorkel- it was SO great- I love the feeling of floating and looking down at the fish and magical colorful landscape-and look at the picture I got!

Okay, I got it off the internet- but it DID look like this!

Chickens in the Garden 8"x8" oil on canvas

Here's one I did early on -still unfinished- I feel as if everything is unfinished.

As I ooze more and more into the Aloha mode I see a danger in my productivity-I'm 

getting too relaxed! Hmmm. Maybe I should just BE ON VACATION! Tomorrow  I am going to see lots and lots of tropical fish through a mask and snorkel- I can't wait.

The first time I saw that it blew me away-and felt unreal. It never gets old.

This is the sweetest chicken tractor I ever saw- it is Jan's friends Katherines- she built it from scraps.

Heres Katherine's house.... ( rainbow-hard to see) This is up mauka ( mountain) from the farm. Lovely- and windy! Katherine spins wool too- she has sheep and chickens and grows lots of coffee. I would need lots of coffee too shear sheep. I am not up for that again ANY TIME SOON lemme tell ya!

Meet Roxie, she wandered on to the farm 4 years ago- a baby- she's a poi dog ( hawaiian for mutt) and it was love at first sight. They tried to find her owner, but no one claimed her. She is truly a character and lot of fun. I think she might fit in my carry- on.

Akaka Falls

I cant even tell you how cool this is-Akaka Falls is a beautiful self-guided 0.4-mile loop meandering through lush tropical vegetation to scenic vista points overlooking Kahuna Falls and the free-falling Akaka Falls, which plunges 442 feet into a gorge.( can you tell I cut and pasted this )

BUT Now I know where the word gorgeous comes from!

Dad and I had an ahi burger at a cool cafe in Honomu, near the falls,Yum. The fish here tastes like chicken- only WAY better. There was free stuff there too- look!

OK- who needs SKATES in Hawaii?

The botanical garden was next on the tour- its close to Hilo....it was so cool- i felt like I was in the movie Avatar- but without the depression afterwards!

Or the amazing body and blue skin...

I did manage to set up my easel in the kitchen this morning and painted magnolias- had to walk all the way to the mailbox this morning to get them- this is a very quick sketch.

ALOHA everyone!

(I'm no) spring chicken 6"x6: oil on panel

I am 52 years old today FITTY TWO!
Geez- thats strange- it is true- you can still feel young, but in an older body. But I am proud to be here and look forward to many more healthy years.
Thanks to all who wished me a happy birthday today- I'm far from home but coping here in Hawaii (:
I was having breakfast with my Dad and he said- "grab your camera- Jan's shearing a sheep!"
I've never seen that- so I ran out to the barn. Okay, its  cool- but actually scary -Jan did a great job wrestling the sheep and I helped by holding the sheeps  head. Its a freakin' miracle no one got hurt.
Yikes.

Theres a body under there!

"Where's your sweater- uh oh- am I next?"

"Well, I guess that wasn't THAT baaaaaaaaaaad...."

my Great Grandmother's painting- copy

Here is my rendition of my great grandmother painting. It was a fun thing to do, and it felt like I got to know her a little bit. There is some buckling going on - it's on a raw unstretched piece of canvas- I will try to mount it later. I hope it works.

I did a portrait commision of Nicole today- she is a friend of my Dad and Jan's- she shears sheep and has been living in a tent on their land for the winter. She is a love and her mom commisioned me to do a portrait of her.

I will post it when it is finished.

And these below are my morning figure studies from the porch.

Love these sheep! Several are pregnant. I am hoping for an easter lamb, but we will see!