Latitude Options

Molokai Humpback Whales

2012-02-26T14:56:00.000-08:00

A number of whalespecies visit Hawaii, but Humpbacks steal the show. They’re big, animated andeverywhere. Whale excursions rarely come up empty handed when the Humpbacks are in town. Whale boats have to keep a respectful distance but whales don’t.They sneak up and hose the customers down with spray for a little toot. Babywhales being new and curious splash over for a closer look, although there is agood chance Mom will herd them away. We boarded Molokai Fish and Dive’s boat theCoral Queen at sunrise. I was going to keep track of the sightings, but therewere just too many. It is so exciting to be close to them that counting is soonforgotten. In the harbor entrance the captain had to put the prop in neutral severaltimes to let manta ray traffic cruise by. My sister had never been upclose to whales before so watching her expressions was fun. A big blue sea full of frolicking leviathans changesperspective. Don’t sweat the small stuff, smile until your face hurts and laugh like a whale just played a practical joke on a boat full of humans.

90 paintings exhibit, Molokai

2012-02-21T01:34:00.000-08:00

Thank you! To the wonderful friends who showed up and the people who wondered in with curiosity and a smile. Showing a series of paintings finishes a project, like a wrap party. A few shows have felt like a wake, but this wasn't one of them. Great turnout and I'm glad I own fewer paintings. It didn't rain, which is sad for the island, but easy on artwork displayed outdoors. I wish I'd taken more pictures, but it was so fun to talk to people I forgot. My sister helped me set up, even wore her thumb out jamming thumbtacks in the corners then stayed and helped, like everyday. What a gal. Next will be large paintings of horses and dogs in oil and starting on next year's calendar for Sadie's Hotels in American Samoa.
Maria and Mickey, thanks for making the art show possible (please visit The Warehouse Marketplace next to Friendly Market in Kaunakakai to peruse work by a number of talented Molokai artists). All the best!!

Noel, thanks for helping! And for making me laugh, glad
you were there, it's always fun when you're around.

Art show on Molokai

2012-02-14T18:44:00.000-08:00

Catherine Buchanan

90 paintingsin 90 days

and more work by Molokai artists

On display in the courtyard behindImports Gift Shop

in Kaunakakai, Molokai, Hawaii (next door to Friendly Market)

February 16,17 &18, 2012

10am-6pm

This is the one time all 90 original paintings will be on display together

as the paintings that have sold will be going to new homes after the show.

The exhibit includes work by several Molokai artists and painting

demonstrations in a lovely relaxed setting.

Honolulu Zoo Valentine

2012-02-14T04:18:00.000-08:00

The zoo in Waikiki is a pleasant stroll through atropical botanical garden with animals. Few of thehabitats have bars but while the animals can't get out, it looks like they have a chance. The elephants looked happier in their new digs.They used to stand in the corner of the old pen rocking back and forth to passthe time, but now they have room to wonder. The Komodo Dragon could use more room and a few friends, although it didn't look like it had moved since the last time I was there. Tigers never look happy in zoos no matter what so maybe they should be turned loose. I'd burn more calories between restaurants and hotel rooms if tigers roamed around Waikiki. Enjoy yourself like a monkey picking bugs!

Happy Valentine's Day from the animals :)

Your own tub cab be pretty good too,

we're all beautiful!

A smile is the shortest distance between two people.

Victor Borge

(or in this case a sheep and anyone passing by)

90 paintings in 90 days price list

2012-02-04T17:01:00.000-08:00

Hello,
Thanks to all who have read and commented, a few words really matter. Producing artwork is a very solitary experience, I paint alone and work long hours since that's just how it works best for me. I suppose I hoped blogging would provide some social interaction, but it seems it doesn't really work that way. Reading the stats page to find out if anyone looks at this is like hoping for my check book register to start talking to me and for all I know, as accurate as my records.
     I have been putting this on my list for weeks now and just not doing it. Not inspired, not willing to fake it. Maybe taking a break will help me find a new direction. My sister is coming to visit so I'll be having fun for the next three weeks.
     February 16, 17 & 18 all the original paintings from the 90 day marathon will be up together in the courtyard behind Imports Gift Shop, in Kaunakakai, Molokai. This will be the only time they are ever shown together since the ones that have sold will be going to new homes after the show. Thanks for looking, I'll post some pictures of the show. My friend offered to let me borrow Bully the cow so people could see him with his portrait, but he eats Christmas lights and licks people. Well, maybe that would be a good thing. Hope to see you there.
All the best, Catherine

The following is the list of 90 paintings, * means no longer available;
The originals are 10x13" on unstretched canvas for $500 each
11 x14" prints on canvas are $95
8 x 10" prints on paper are $25
please write to me at cb2c@yahoo.com if you are unable to post questions on this blog or to arrange to purchase a painting or print. Look forward to hearing from you.
1.   Green Coconuts
2.     Coffee & Sea Turtles
3.   Plumeria
4.   Lilikoi Butter
5.*      Slippahs
6.*      Saturday Market
7.      Lilikoi
8.      Molokai Ho’e
9.      Java Sparrows
10.    Flame Tree
11.    Spam Musubi
12.    Monica
13.    Horse Lei
14.    Hanging Pots
15.    Croton Leaves
16.    Kukui & Ribbon Leis
17.    Fresco Shell
18.    Humuhumunukunukuapua’a
19.    Molokai Dirt Road
20.    Papohaku Puka Shell Necklace
21.    Drink Umbrella
22.    Magenta Flowers
23.    Polynesian Voyaging Canoes
24.    Molokai Rainbows
25.    Pumpkins
26.    Homage to Soap
27.    Monk Seal
28.    Camping at Kaupoa
29.    New Moon
30.    Ho’okupu
31.*    Mamo
32.    Bird of Paradise
33.    Lost & Found Chick
34.    Sandwich
35.    Pig Farm
36.*    Sweet Yellow Coconuts
37.*    Lauhala Hat
38.*    Blowfish
39.    Paper Boat
40.    Lehua
41.    Ube Ice Cream
42.*    Lani
43.    Ohelo Flowers
44.    Sinaloa Church
45.    Humpback Whales
46.    Monstera
47.    Laundry
48.    Gecko
49.*    Puni
50.    Ti Leaves
51.    Field Workers
52.    Wild Turkeys
53.    Thanksgiving Dinner
54.    Molokai Cowboy
55.    Lime and Coconut
56.    Molokai Farms
57.    Goose Portrait
58.    Avocado Seed
59.    Cat Nap
60.    Plumeria Tree
61.    Take Away Box
62.    Primary Horses
63.    Baby Turtles
64.    Papohaku Beach
65.    Christmas Ornaments
66.*    Bully
67.    Hawaiian Style Lunch
68.    Barrel Cactus
69.    Phallic Rock
70.    Kiddie Boat
71.    Community Message Board
72.    Molokai Hot Bread
73.    Fighting Roosters
74.    Post-a-Nuts
75.    Molokai Fish Ponds
76.    Landfill
77.    Molokai Rainbow Fantails
78.    Monk Seals
79.    Hand Painted Signs
80.    Molokai Mules
81.    Ka Hula Pico
82.*    Noel
83.    Molokai Ho’e
84.*    Gypsy
85.    Ginger Flowers
86.    River Rocks
87.    Taro Cultivation Wailau Valley
88.*    Tiger
89.    Yellow Plumeria Flowers
90.*    Sugar

Paintings at Ho'olehua Airport, Molokai

2012-01-23T22:18:00.000-08:00

This time lastyear I finished six paintings of indigenous Hawaiian animals. The paintings are currently on display.The following are a few progress shots of the paintings as I worked on them and photos of them hanging in the airport on Molokai. Prints on canvas are available. Please write to me at cb2c@yahoo.com if you areinterested.

I’m not sure whyit’s difficult to leave comments on this blog, several people have written tosay it doesn’t work. I'd like to fix it, but Ican't solve computer problems any more than I can do this,

even though both would be convenient. If anyone canhelp with this (the blog comment problem, not sticking my tongue up mynose) please let me know.

Animal Paintings at the Ho'oleahua Airport on Molokai

Hawaiian Monk Seal

Green Sea Turtles

Bottlenose Dolphins

Hawaiian Stilts

Hawaiian Owl

Apapane

Thanks for looking. Keep smiling!

Molokai rodeo

2012-01-20T20:35:00.000-08:00

Myapologies for leaving this blank for so long. Where I’m staying the internet connectionis slower than media rate mail so I threw my hands up and did other things,like read books made out of paper and watch Humpback whales roll around likegoofy big bathtub toys in the stretch of ocean within view. Then the modernequivalent of the dog ate my homework; viruses ate my computer, which wasannoying and expensive, but miraculously no data was lost. I’m slowly workingup to working on the next project, a series of animal portraits in oils.

The followingphotos were taken at the most recent Molokai rodeo, just a great way to spend the day and Iadmire the courage these kids have. I have no desire toride a horse or plant my face in the dirt, convincing myself that takingpictures is challenging enough. There’s a dress code inside the ring so Iborrowed a cowboy hat, but had to ask which side was the front, then I workedup enough courage to stand behind a horse and brush its tail.

final group image

2012-01-06T21:25:00.003-08:00

After the 90 day project

2012-01-02T22:18:00.000-08:00

Yesterday brought adeep sigh of relief and a feeling of having completed something that started asa fun idea before it turned into a daily dialog with myself, running thegamut from how lucky I was to have the opportunity to paint every day to justhit me with a board and put an end to this misery. Sometimes it flowed likewarm chocolate syrup and other days it was like pulling cactus spines out ofthe souls of my feet to come up with an idea. In the end the list of paintingswas longer than 90 days would allow. There are two I love just the way they areand there are many that could be improved. A few are just crap (in my opinion),but because it was the best I could do that day I posted them anyway. The benefit,and it's huge, was that I had to quit fretting about perfection. With allendeavors that stretch personal limits the true test was letting go of fear.The creepy negative thoughts that undermine the best intentions are almost alwayspure hooey. It takes time to weed out negativity, which I didn't have becausethe next day I had to pull it together and do it again. Pushing myself for threemonths without a day off finally wore worrying down to a nub, like what's leftof my eraser. I'd recommend this type of effort to anyone. Being fully presentfor hours on end day after day pointed a big neon sign at the ridiculousconversations I have with myself. Ninety nine percent of those negativethoughts were not true and only made me feel bad. Focusing on arelentless positive effort gave me a more upbeat take on everything. Fear toooften trumps reason. The quiet voice of sanity and the whisperings of the heartcan be heard over the pounding drums of paranoia in a fully present moment andpainting requires being fully present. My sister's encouragement certainlyhelped, actually it was downright necessary. She makes me laugh, especiallywhen I take things too seriously.

Turns out I am theworst judge of how long any given subject will take to paint. The shortest time,the lime and coconuts, was forty five minutes, but I thought it would take allday. The paint just flowed. The longest was #6, the still life of fruit, whichtook nearly twelve hours and left nothing to the imagination. The mostchallenging was the last one, which took about ten hours and a lot of time overthe last month looking at photos of horses, hanging out with my friend'shorses, sketching live horses in a pasture and just plain trying to learn whatone horse expression means from another (thanks Sherry and Noel for your help).

It took ten yearspainting and photographing dogs to find that magic moment, where I just know whatwill make a good painting. It will be the same process with horses so I'll bepursuing that direction for a while. I can sometimes feel what animals feel, but theexception was the day I went to a friend's yard to photograph the tame deerthat shows up occasionally for a bowl of snack mix. I could not get a feelingfor her. The painting might look like her, but for me it doesn’t capture theessence of deer. While she didn't seem fazed by humans, I had the distinctimpression she could kick my teeth out with her pointy little hooves ifprovoked, although I might have made that up. Either way I didn't find thatconnection that gives paintings depth.

The horse, Sugar,in the last painting spoke to me. She was alone in a corral after the AlohaWeek Parade and somehow I caught her desire to be with her owners who werefurther away. I walked over and felt that spark that happens with animals thatcare to connect with people. I took quite a few photos, knowing one day I'd bedoing a painting of her. She mugged for the camera like a runway model. Sadly,a month later Sugar died in a freak accident and is sorely missed. Sugar'suntimely death in her prime underscored just how short and fleeting life is.
Worryingtoo easily destroys the precious moments we have. Painting is a struggle whencoming from a distracted place so I had to let go of fretting about nonsense. I'drecommend this type of effort to anyone. Concentrating for hours on endday after day pointed a big neon sign at the ridiculous conversations I have with myself. Focusing on a relentless positiveeffort wore them out. Fear it seems has the option to trump reason. The quiet voice of sanityand the whisperings of the heart can be heard over the pounding drums paranoiain a fully present moment and painting requires being fully present.

I have oftensuspected that muses are more than fiction, but now I'm sure of it. When theclock fell off my radar and time lapsed with no awareness of it passing themuses were doing their job. Some days I did the work joyfully and others withan imaginary cattle prod on my ass, but I don't feel the least responsible forwhether the paintings are good or bad. That is new, I used to have a hard timewith criticism, but haven't take comments about this project personally. Onefriend pointed at a painting and said it was my best so far, and then someonewrote and asked if I was having a bad day when I did that particular one,clearly not on their list of greatest hits. I found my cattle prod and am notafraid to use it, I think it is called discipline. And I get what marathonsaccomplish. They push you to do your best while pushing all your buttons.

Money was notmotivation since none of them were done with an eye for what might sell, whichwas very freeing. I focused on what I appreciated each day and sometimes it wassimply the way the sun lit a familiar object. Commissions are an important partof my income, but there is a fine line to manage between painting what otherswant and painting from the heart. Also I was concerned that if I offered themfor sale and no one was interested I would lose motivation, but that worry wasjust more baloney that vaporized over time. The creative process is notexhausting, it enlivens the soul and makes the most mundane moments come alivewith feeling, but managing the business of life on top of painting dailysometimes felt like a burden. I bathed less than I should have because I justran out of time. I painted a bar of soap longing to quit and just use it.

I'll be makinggicléeprints on canvas from this series and will post the sizes and prices when I getthem worked out later this week. The prints often look better than theoriginals because the blacks are richer. I'm also looking for a venue to showthe originals. Thanks for checking in, your interest kept me going. One of the benefitsof blogspot is that it tracks how many people view pages each day and where inthe world the pages are viewed. It has helped me with my geography since therewere countries on the list I didn't know much about so looked them up. Latviasure looks beautiful and I'd love to see Riga. A friend in American Samoainvited me to paint 30 paintings in 30 days at the public library so that is onmy list for some time this year. I'll strive to be a better painter as there isalways more to learn. Thank you all for looking, I'll be posting as often aspossible.

All the best to you in 2012!

90! Sugar

2012-01-01T01:02:00.000-08:00

Every once in awhile a special animal crosses my path. Sugar had a way of connecting with people that was truly remarkable. My day was spent feeling gratitude for all the amazing moments this year has brought with friends, family and some mighty fine animals. Here's to ending the year and this project with warm, heart felt thanks to everyone and wishing you all the very best in the coming year. I'll be taking a few days off and plan to write about what I learned from this project.
Happy New Year!!

#89 of 90, Yellow Plumeria Flowers

2011-12-31T11:47:00.000-08:00

This is from yesterday, computer problems prevented me from posting. This one's for you Nynke, Happy New Year!

#88 of 90, Tiger

2011-12-30T02:14:00.000-08:00

Tiger is just a puppy, but he gets some funny worried looks. He was shivering since it's actually a little cold these days for Hawaii. After Sherry put one her kids pink t-shirts on him he looked a little happier, but I didn't paint him that way since it was just goofy. The dog didn't seem to care even though it wrecked his tough image. Thanks for making my day!

#87 of 90, Wailau Valley Taro Cultivation

2011-12-29T02:39:00.000-08:00

Restored ancient taro ponds in a remote valley on the backside of Molokai look no different than they would have hundreds of years ago. The stone walls in the area date back 1,100 years and the valley has several springs with some of the cleanest water on Earth. There are few inhabitants today, but the valley supported a large population of early Hawaiians.

#86 of 90, River Rocks

2011-12-28T00:17:00.000-08:00

There are only a few rivers on Molokai with enough steady flow and distance to grind rock into smooth ovals. Prized by ancient Hawaiians the stones were passed hand to hand over a mountain range to build heiau (large stone platforms). The idea makes sense, sharp lava rock is hard to walk on and not at all fun to sit on, but what a workout. It probably wasn't an option to quit and it's not a myth, the structures still exist from stones passed for many miles over treacherous narrow tracks along vertical cliffs. No wonder petroglyphs show guys with skinny waists and huge shoulders. Paddling canoes, passing rocks and practicing hula was certainly a recipe for staying in top form.

#85 0f 90, Ginger Flowers

2011-12-27T01:00:00.000-08:00

Kalani's flower farm in the lush Halawa Valley grows a wide array of heliconia and amazing ginger flowers. Check out their web site molokaiflowers.com. There's a great video of flying over the series of waterfalls on the river that the flows through the valley.

#84, Gypsy

2011-12-25T22:38:00.000-08:00

Thanks Heidi and Woody for your wonderful generosity, see you soon!

#83 of 90, Molokai Hoe Canoe Race

2011-12-24T23:01:00.000-08:00

On the twelfth day of Christmas Molokai gave me;
Twelve paddlers paddling,
Eleven cowgirls racing,
Ten hula dancers,
Nine mules a waiting,
Eight home made signs,
Seven seals a sleeping,
Six fantails roosting,
Five rubbish trips,

Four ponds of fish,

Three Post-a-Nuts,

Two fighting roosters,

And one hot bread in a shabby alley.

The Molokai Hoe is one mean canoe race, 40 miles of open ocean from Hale o Lono on Molokai to Oahu. Hundreds of boats and paddlers show up once a year, making Molokai one of the fittest places on earth, for a weekend. It's quite fun, from a visual perspective as well.

#82 of 90, Horse Race

2011-12-23T22:57:00.000-08:00

On the eleventh day of Christmas Molokai gave me;
Eleven cowgirls racing,
Ten hula dancers,
Nine mules a waiting,
Eight home made signs,
Seven seals a sleeping,
Six fantails roosting,
Five rubbish trips,

Four ponds of fish,

Three Post-a-Nuts,

Two fighting roosters,

And one hot bread in a shabby alley.

Yes, there are 11 cowgirls in this painting, but you will probably have to zoom in. The rider in the foreground is Noel Tancayo, the State barrel racing champion and of course she is winning in the painting. I admire her fearless ability to get on a 1200 lb animal and charge around. Her family offered to let me ride a horse, but I'm only willing to get on a plastic one, the kind with metal springs attached that rocks back and forth. Yeehaw.

#81 of 90, Kahiko Hula

2011-12-22T23:52:00.000-08:00

On the tenth day of Christmas Molokai gave me;
Ten hula dancers,
Nine mules a waiting,
Eight home made signs,
Seven seals a sleeping,
Six fantails roosting,
Five rubbish trips,
Four ponds of fish,

Three Post-a-Nuts,

Two fighting roosters,

And one hot bread in a shabby alley.

Molokai is the birth place of the hula. Every year this tradition is celebrated at Ka Hula Pico. Information is posted on the site visitmolokai.com.

#80 of 90, Molokai Mule Tour

2011-12-22T06:21:00.000-08:00

On the ninth day of Christmas Molokai gave me;
Nine mules a waiting,
Eight home made signs,
Seven seals a sleeping,
Six fantails roosting,
Five rubbish trips,
Four ponds of fish,

Three Post-a-Nuts,

Two fighting roosters,

And one hot bread in a shabby alley.

The trail to Kalaupapa drops down a steep, nearly vertical cliff. Mules take people down and luckily back up without a problem. Kaluapapa is well known for interning people who contacted leprosy and is now a National Park. For more information check out muleride.com and visitmolokai.com.

#79 of 90, Hand Painted Signs

2011-12-21T04:16:00.000-08:00

On the eighth day of Christmas Molokai gave me;
Eight home made signs,
Seven seals a sleeping,
Six fantails roosting,
Five rubbish trips,
Four ponds of fish,
Three Post-a-Nuts,

Two fighting roosters,

And one hot bread in a shabby alley.

This might take a little back story if you haven't been to Molokai. There are no professional sign companys on the island so people have taken production into their own hands. Crudely executed on plywood then nailed to fences and trees the landscape is peppered with signs announcing everything from political agendas to items for sale to fervent pleas to have property returned. There is usually one topic more pressing at any given time. The "no change La'au" signs are fading since the developers were thwarted from paving one of the last truly wild places in Hawaii. Every other sign I found today was against letting a tour boat stop for day. Town meetings blaze with debate over what cruise ships visiting, even one with fewer passengers than an airplane, would mean to Molokai.

I did the painting in the same spirit as the local signs and actually, it was fun to take a more slapdash approach. Maybe I'll start a hand painted sign business.

#78 of 90, Hawaiian Monk Seals

2011-12-20T03:12:00.000-08:00

On the seventh day of Christmas Molokai gave me;
Seven seals a sleeping,
Six fantails roosting,
Five rubbish trips,
Four ponds of fish,
Three Post-a-Nuts,

Two fighting roosters,

And one hot bread in a shabby alley.

Disclaimer;

Monk seals are solitary creatures, they don't often hang around in groups like seals who prefer more of a colony lifestyle, but hey, it's just a silly Christmas song. Molokai is one of the few places where Monk seals find uninhabited beaches in Hawaii. They come ashore for a rest and have their pups. There are fewer than 1200 seals left in Hawaii. Efforts to protect places where they frequent have been successful so they will continue to visit Molokai for awhile longer. In the town of Kalaupapa a notice is posted when a seal with a pup is spotted on the beach so everyone will know not to disturb them.
There are a lot of people who love and protect the seals, but there is another side too. Fishermen see them as large pests and I've heard it argued that they are not endangered since more have been showing up here and yes, the seals do take fish out of nets. Two seals have been found dead this month under suspicious circumstances so some have saved their environment and others believe they are pests to be done away with.

#77 of 90, Molokai Rainbows

2011-12-19T03:15:00.000-08:00

On the sixth day of Christmas Molokai gave me;
Six fantails roosting,
Five rubbish trips,
Four ponds of fish,
Three Post-a-Nuts,

Two fighting roosters,

And one hot bread in a shabby alley.

Diane and Clay Adachi keep a sizable flock of colorful homing pigeons that they 'fly' for events and special occations. The fantails look great, but apparently don't navigate too well so they don't get out much. I think they'd make great table decorations though.

Fly the Rainbows
"For any reason or no reason"
dcmolokai@hotmail.com

#76 of 90, Molokai Landfill

2011-12-18T03:35:00.000-08:00

On the fifth day of Christmas Molokai gave me;
Five rubbish trips,
Four ponds of fish,
Three Post-a-Nuts,

Two fighting roosters,

And one hot bread in a shabby alley.

#75 of 90, Molokai Fish Ponds

2011-12-17T04:12:00.000-08:00

On the fourth day of Christmas Molokai gave me;
Four ponds of fish,
Three Post-a-Nuts,

Two fighting roosters,

And one hot bread in a shabby alley.

#74 of 90, Posted Coconuts

2011-12-16T03:09:00.000-08:00

On the third day of Christmas Molokai gave me;
Three Post-a-Nuts,

Two roosters fighting,

And one hot bread in a shabby alley.

Historical note:

The post office in Ho'olehua on Molokai originated Post-a-Nut in Hawaii. They're the only branch to provide markers and USDA approved coconuts. An article will appear in the February 2012 issue of National Geographic Magazine about this unique institution.
Thanks Gary!

#73 of 90, Mad Roosters

2011-12-15T04:03:00.000-08:00

On the second day of Christmas Molokai gave me;

Two fighting roosters,

And one hot bread in a shabby alley.

#72 of 90, Hot Bread Alley

2011-12-14T05:06:00.000-08:00

The bakery sells fresh bread in a back alley downtown. They have a store for daytime use, but if you've got a craving for a third world experience you can line up at the back door for a hot bread fix late at night. It comes slathered with an extra ration of calories in various flavors. Strawberry jam and cream cheese rocks.

Molokai Community Bulletin Board, #71

2011-12-13T04:21:00.000-08:00

www.molokai.com

90 in 90, Kiddie Boat, #70

2011-12-12T03:18:00.000-08:00

This old kiddie ride is still a deal. The price hasn't gone up for what could be generations. Seen most evenings rocking kids into narcoleptic boredom at the Pizza Cafe in Kaunakakai. Their faces look like they were told to sit still and watch ice melt since the action is about as animated as kicking a chair. Hands down though, it gets my vote for most charming local fixture.

90 paintings in 90 days, Phallic Rock, #69

2011-12-11T04:10:00.001-08:00

Molokai's most famous rock. People leave offerings with their wishes and prayers at this ancient revered site. A quick search revealed thousands of photos, many of them hilarious because this is one large rock, but of all the amazing places on Molokai phallic rock has not been a popular subject for painters. Or I've never seen any paintings of this descriptive monolith before, but then maybe they just aren't exposed in public.
Whether you seek mirth, desire or fertility, wishes have been granted (so I'm told) by a visit to the top of the mountain where this surprising natural wonder resides. The hike winds through a lovely forest over a soft carpet of ironwood needles. I can sometimes guess which paintings people will want, but the jury is way out on this one. I guarantee it is a true likeness of a real place if that helps.

90 paintings on Molokai, Barrel Cactus, #68

2011-12-10T01:04:00.001-08:00

The cactus on the deck look like an old married couple, having been together so long they grew to look alike.

90 paintings, Hawaiian Style Lunch, #67

2011-12-09T04:06:00.001-08:00

Local ambrosia. Every place has it's own version of down home comfort food. Poi, sardines and an onion make the list in Hawaii. I never got hooked on poi but was recently introduced to li hing mui gummy bears which I'm pretty sure should include a Surgeon General's warning about a highly addictive substance. Thanks Sherry!

90 in 90, Bully, #66

2011-12-07T23:29:00.001-08:00

This painting is an interpretation of a Molokai story. Bully the calf lives under my friend's house and he did try to eat some of the Christmas decorations including the snowman. Fake snowmen show up at Christmas on just about every tropical island in the Pacific, but this was the first time I heard about a cow eating one.

90 paintings on Molokai, Christmas Ornaments, #65

2011-12-07T02:26:00.001-08:00

     Thanks for the ornament idea Noel and for the cool glass Christmas tree you made, it's great, I really like it.
     Also thanks to Mernie for requesting Papohaku Beach and to Val Bloy for suggesting;
1. the early morning fishermen at the end of the wharf. 2. The cars and trucks lined up on the wharf road waiting for the Young Brothers barge to be off loaded on "barge day."
    Both are good ideas and I started a painting of the cars on the wharf, but after many hours I finally noticed I put the cars on the wrong side of the road, it could be a scene in New Zealand, but definitely not America. I gave up and will try to fix it later. The fishermen get up pretty darned early so if anyone taking pictures at the crack of dawn would like to send me a photo, that would be great.
Merry Christmas!!

90 paintings on Molokai, Papohaku Beach, #64

2011-12-06T00:28:00.001-08:00

Also known as 3 Mile Beach, Papohaku is the longest beach in Hawaii and most days about this crowded. Molokai's windy shoreline generates spectacular wave breaks. The roar of the surf is not entirely produced from water crashing onto the shore and itself, but from tiny bubbles bursting to the surface. If you don't believe it, put your ear to a glass of champagne then multiply it by several billion.

90 in 90, Turtles, #63

2011-12-04T21:46:00.001-08:00

90 paintings on Molokai, Primary Horses, #62

2011-12-04T02:03:00.001-08:00

90 in 90, To-Go Box, #61

2011-12-02T22:17:00.001-08:00

If all the islands of the Pacific united as one nation I would submit this design for the National flag. The humble to-go box as a symbol of prosperity and hospitality. Countless times they have been pushed kindly into my hands at the end of a party stuffed with great chow. Extra food is cooked just to fill boxes to send home with quests. The next day is always a little better for finding one on a shelf in the fridge. Maybe they should be called a way to go box.

60 paintings from Molokai

2011-12-02T13:50:00.001-08:00

Day 60! Plumeria Tree

2011-12-01T22:10:00.001-08:00

Kulia's grandmother planted this tree and it's huge, it must drop a ton of flowers every year. It rained today knocking the blossoms off, turning the grass into a carpet of magenta flowers. When the sun came everything including the spider webs sparkled like jewels.

90 in 90, Cat Nap, #59

2011-11-30T20:11:00.001-08:00

Watching a cat napping is extremely relaxing. The cat didn't move for hours and I nearly fell asleep painting. It might be better at reducing stress than an aquarium full of fish, which could have been what the cat was dreaming about.

90 in 90, Avocado Seed, #58

2011-11-29T22:23:00.001-08:00

Ordinary objects glowed on the old fashioned sink drain in the ethereal light coming through the window. It's also a reminder to buy dish soap.

90 in 90, Goose Portrait, #57

2011-11-28T21:46:00.001-08:00

This goose stands about waist high. Yesterday filling it's water tub I had to keep it at bay with the hose to turn the tap on and off. How it stays white in a yard full of red dirt is one of the big mysteries of Molokai. I wanted to paint a sympathetic portrait, but geese are mean, it came out fairly accurate.

90 in 90, Molokai Farms, #56

2011-11-28T02:04:00.001-08:00

Flying over Ho'olehua farm country, the newly tilled fields show off the red volcanic soil.

2012 American Samoa Calendar Images

2011-11-27T01:47:00.001-08:00

Sadie's Hotels in American Samoa produced a calendar of images of my paintings. The calendars are available from info@sadieshotels.com, either individually or wholesale.

I am offering 16x20" stretched prints on canvas for $275.00 including postage until December 16, 2011 (a savings of $40), please write to me at cb2c@yahoo.com, payment is accepted by Paypal.

Some of the original paintings are still available as well.

Waiting to Perform

The girls were sitting at the cruise ship dock waiting for their turn to dance and the little ones were getting impatient.

Original painting is on display at Maria Watanabe's Warehouse in Kaunakakai, Molokai

24x30" framed, $3,400

Fatu ma Futi

A famous landmark just outside of Pago Pago Harbor. Also known as Flower Pot Rock. It's a great place to stop and go for a swim.

Original painting, sold to a private collector

Matafao

The highest peak on the island of Tutila, it is a spectacular climb. This is the view from my backyard when I lived in Fagagogo.

Original painting is on display at Sadie's by the Sea in Pago Pago, American Samoa

20 x 30", $2,400 framed (shipping by arrangement)

Red Heliconia

These giant flowers grew in my yard, but if you took them inside the whole house smelled like a swamp. The waxy leaves hold water and an entire ecosystem grows in the puddles.

Original, sold

Nia

A friend who used to perform at Sadie's in their Fiafia Night show, this week as the Taupo. The original painting was sold twice before Nia tracked it down and bought it for herself.

Walking to Olosega

On the beach on Ofu, Olosega is in the background. The two small islands are joined by a bridge. One of the most lovely views in the world next to a spectacular 'blue hole', an area of deep water behind a protected reef. It is a National Park, but difficult to get to. Worth all the effort. They are two of the remote islands of American Samoa.

Original painting is on display at Sadie's by the Sea, Pago Pago.

18 x 24", framed, $1,800

Cooperation

Named because everyone in the boat needs to stay in sync with the other paddlers or the boat slows down. In rough weather like the this the guys in back have to bail often.

Original painting is on display at Sadie's by the Sea in Pago Pago, American Samoa

24 x 30", $3,400 framed (shipping by arrangement)

Pola Island

Also known as Cock's Comb and home to thousands of sea birds. Viewed from Tula, I went up on the roof of the climate station to take the picture I used for this painting.

Original painting is on display at Sadie's by the Sea in Pago Pago, American Samoa

20 x 30", $2,400 framed (shipping by arrangement)

Practice

Women using a mirror to perfect the timing on their hand movements.

Original is on loan and sale is pending, will need to check if it is still available

18x24", framed, $1,800

Samoan Coconut Tree

These bright yellow coconuts are the sweetest of all. The trees are so loaded it looks impossible. The traditional open fales in the background are community meeting houses.

Original purchased by the Feliti Barstow Public Library in Utelei, American Samoa

Siva Afi

A fife knife dancer with the traditional Samoa pe'a (tattoo). Wicks soaked in white gas are wired to razor sharp machetes, then spun impossibly fast. The dance is as dangerous as it is spectacular.

Original painting is on display at Sadie's by the Sea in Pago Pago, American Samoa

NFS

Tiara

The men and women in the dance performances are lovely, but the kids are always charming, even if they miss their steps. Tiara never did, but she didn't always look like she wanted to be there. This was one of her good days.

Original painting is on display at The Sadie Thompson Inn in Pago Pago, American Samoa

16x20", $1,600 framed (shipping by arrangement)

Tin Roof Fale

At the end of the road, past Tula. Beach fales are found all over the island, but this one had the traditional roof made out or roofing tin and was lovingly painted.

Original is on display at The Sadie Thompson Inn in Pago Pago, American Samoa

NFS, this is an oil painting and it has been damaged by mold and cannot be repaired

Wild Pig

I'm not actually sure pigs smile, but the one I photographed that came running out of the bushes looked like it was. American Samoa is a great place to live, of course the pigs are smiling!

Original, sold

The prints on canvas are hard to tell from the originals. The are coated with UV protection and printed with the finest, long lasting inks available. Look forward to hearing from you!

90 paintings on Molokai, Lime and Coconut, #55

2011-11-27T00:16:00.001-08:00

Hey Sis, this is waiting for you when you get here!

90 paintings, Molokai Cowboy, # 54

2011-11-26T01:23:00.001-08:00

I took nearly five hundred pictures at the Junior Ropers rodeo today, but this wasn't one of them. I saw the kid's practicing a few days before and some of them weren't wearing shoes, although they all managed to find their boots for the competition. I admire the bravery required to get on a horse and charge around barrels. There's a lot more skill involved than just staying on including controlling large, strong animals that may or may not be having a bad day. Horses have tantrums, occasionally panic and just won't do won't do what you would like them too sometimes, pretty much like people.

90 in 90, Thanksgiving, Day 53

2011-11-24T22:26:00.001-08:00

If I could paint what I'm most thankful for it would have to be a mural of friends, definitely beyond the scope of this project though. Second runner up, a plate of great food. Many thanks to the Tancayo family for putting it all together, really fun to be there and good luck this weekend! I'll see you at the rodeo.

90 in 90, Wild Turkeys, Day 52

2011-11-23T19:19:00.001-08:00

Wild turkeys can be found on Molokai if you know where to look, like the golf course. Except it closed so now I don't have a clue. One evening several flew in front of the car which was a surprise. Until then I'd only seen them running away. This time of year it's actually wise.

90 in 90, Farm Workers, Day 51

2011-11-23T01:35:00.001-08:00

Women at Kumu Farms weeding rows of herbs with a backdrop of papaya trees. The wind carried the aroma of a gourmet kitchen. Laboring all day in the sun at backbreaking hard work and still the women were laughing.

90 in 90, Ti Leaves, Day 50

2011-11-21T23:26:00.001-08:00

Golden acrylics make intense liquid colors. Primary magenta made it possible to paint the bright edges of the leaves. These plants play many roles in Polynesian cultures, as versatile as they are varied. From formal ritual, to clothing to cooking ti plants are constantly in use. One Halloween in Samoa a friend cut the top off a ti plant, stuck it in the back of his sarong and went to the party as a rooster.

90 in 90, Puni, Day 49

2011-11-21T01:46:00.001-08:00

There's two dogs living in this house. This is the good one, although when the puppy gets out of hand she turns into boss dog. The puppy can eat her food, pee in the house and chew up carpets, but if he tries to take her spot on Paddy's lap fur is going to fly. This look is reserved for Paddy, revered Alpha Master of her Universe.

90 in 90, Gecko, Day 48

2011-11-20T01:39:00.001-08:00

Gecko's don't stick like adhesive or use suction to adhere to surfaces. They bond. Seriously, millions of tiny hairs on their feet share electrons with the atoms in the surface they walk on. That's why they can stick to glass upside down or plywood. The bond is so effective they have to peel their feet off the surface, which explains that funny wiggle when they run. They feel strange when you hold them and you do have to peel them off, but I guess it's because they actually become one with you. Bug eating, chirping, bonding house lizards, gotta love them.

90 in 90, Laundry, Day 47

2011-11-19T01:19:00.001-08:00

Roosters, red dirt dust, barking dogs, the whine of 4x4 tires on pavement and lots of wind fade into the background over time. They are as much a part of the island as diesel buses, sirens and the hum of freeways are to the city. Clothes dry fast and clothes pins get a serious workout. Thanks Heidi for the suggestion. I don't hear the roosters anymore and laundry flying is such a common sight it too is easy to overlook.

90 in 90, Monstera, Day 46

2011-11-17T23:59:00.001-08:00

Yesterday was the half way point in this project. Some days have been better than others. The harder a painting was the less I like it, so I'm not a good judge. Apparently muses take vacations and I get it, often I'd much rather go to the beach. The painting most looked at is the Lauhala Hat. After the United States, the most page views are in Russia, then Mexico, Canada and New Zealand. Wish I could meet some of the viewers and please feel free to leave comments. I'll post the next album to Facebook at 60 days. Also, if anyone has any requests don't be shy, I'd like to know what you want to see painted on Molokai. Thank you for looking!

90 in 90, Humback Whales, Molokai, Day 45

2011-11-17T01:52:00.001-08:00

This is the completely impossible whale moment, although you can easily spot this many in a day, it would be beyond lucky to see them all at once. I asked my friend Susan Forsberg if I could use one of her whale pictures to paint from and couldn't decide which, so included all of them.
Susan and her husband run whale watching tours daily during the winter when the whales visit Hawaii. They know whales and the trip is completely amazing. Lots more info can be found on their web site. I went on the tour earlier this year and was just too excited when the whales swam up to the boat to take a half way decent photo. Thanks Susan, I have no idea how you got these shots! Did you train them to jump for you?

Photos by Susan Forsberg
http://whalewatchmolokai.com

Molokai Fish & Dive
808.553.5926

90 in 90, Siloama Church, Kalaupapa, Molokai, Day 44

2011-11-16T00:08:00.001-08:00

Established in 1866. In the trees just down the road, Saint Philomena originally built by St. Damien (Joseph De Veuster) in Kalawao on the windward side of the Kalaupapa peninsula. The two churches from the leprosy (Hansens's disease) settlement are due entirely to the dedication of the people who have quietly preserved them over the years. Just beyond Kalawao is a fantastic view of the dramatic sea cliffs of backside Molokai.

90 in 90, Day 43, Ohelo, Molokai Rainforest

2011-11-15T01:54:00.001-08:00

In a previous post I described the unique rainforest environment on the top of mountains of Molokai. Thanks Paula for sending me the name of the flower!
http://latitudeoptions.blogspot.com/2011/02/molokai-boardwalk.html

I asked my brother, what it was and here is what he says:
1. n. A small native shrub (Vaccinium reticulatum),
‘Öhelo, a Hawai’I endemic
So, it's called, Ohelo.

90 in 90, Molokai, Day 42, Lani

2011-11-14T03:13:00.001-08:00

This one's for you Sherry, thanks for all your hard work. Great weekend!

90 in 90, Day 41, Ube Ice Cream

2011-11-12T23:31:00.001-08:00

Yup, for real, purple sweet potato ice cream and it's great. Get it at Kamo'i Snack-N-Go in Kaunakakai. Best potato ice cream in Hawaii.

90 in 90, Molokai, Day 40, Lehua

2011-11-11T23:40:00.001-08:00

Lehua wanders in and out of a friend's yard. She's tame, loves to be brushed, eats bowls of party snack mix and more recently the orchids. The deer on Molokai keep their spots as adults and their fur is super soft. Lehua is nearly thirty and they never know when she'll show up or how long she'll stay. Diane and Clay also have the colorful birds (see Day 24) so a trip to their backyard is like stepping into a fairy tale. I never know from one day to the next what I'm going to paint, thanks Woody for the idea and Heidi for getting me there. Only a true friend would hang around for an hour waiting for a deer to put her ears up so I could get a photograph.

90 in 90 on Molokai, Day 39, Paper Boat

2011-11-10T19:47:00.001-08:00

90 in 90 on Molokai, Day 38, Blowfish

2011-11-09T23:57:00.000-08:00

This could be a self-portrait, if fish had hot flashes. It was supposed to be whimsical, but it came out looking like I feel. Puffy, easily irritated and overly defensive. Let's hope tomorrow is a better day.

90 in 90 on Molokai, Day 37, Lauhala Hat

2011-11-09T01:38:00.000-08:00

Walking back from town wondering what to paint I ran into my friend Kulia wearing a hat woven from the lau (leaves) of the hala (pandanas) tree. The feather band is also an art form requiring special skill. Kulia used to own an art gallery so she didn't think it strange when I caught up to her in a parking lot and I asked if I could paint her hat.

90 in 90 on Molokai, Day 36, Sweet Yellow Coconuts

2011-11-07T21:53:00.000-08:00

     Kapuaiwa Coconut Grove is over one thousand trees strong. Planted by King Kamehameha, one for each of his warriors, there are enough coconuts in the grove to knock an army out. Walking around under the trees is a lesson in luck and it's actually not allowed, but that's what long lenses are for. The sun setting behind the grove is one of the finest sights on Molokai.

     If you want to embellish your own the Post Office in Ho'olehua provides coconuts and pens to create a masterpiece that you can mail anywhere or you can buy a hand painted coconut suitable for mailing at Kumu Farms from Heather Williams, another wonderful local artist. Clearly I woke up with coconuts on the brain.

     And Barb hand-paints coconuts in ways never thought of before. I almost did a painting of one of her painted coconuts, but her creations are so much more fun in real life. Probably the point of sculpture, it's just not the same flat. Pick up one of her wild coconut characters at the Saturday Market in Kaunakakai, seriously they will make you smile.

90 in 90 on Molokai, Day 35, Pig Farm

2011-11-07T00:23:00.000-08:00

When we stopped at the pig farm two things stood out, one of them be grateful I can't share. The diversity of animals running around in the field, clearly used to each other, was a surprise, especially the kitten sitting around with the pigs. But the air was so full of methane it probably wasn't safe to light a match. Pigs really aren't cute. This painting is to preserve the memory. It looked like a petting zoo full of happy animals, but in reality it was muddy, stinky and loud. The trick of painting is that only the best part can be preserved.

90 in 90 on Molokai, Day 34, Pork Bau Bun Sandwich

2011-11-06T01:09:00.000-07:00

Today at the Food Expo in Kualapu'u I found a new home for the baby chicken. Not as a sandwich of course, but with a family whose kids will happily raise the lost chick. After staying up all night comforting the peeping baby I couldn't bring myself to paint a chicken dish, even though all the food was amazing. Quitting my potential career as chicken whisperer we left the expo and stopped by a pig farm to photograph baby pigs, so it's been a circle of life day. My friend who took me to the farm introduced me saying "Hey cousin, your pigs are gonna be on Facebook." I'm glad he laughed, I don't always know how to explain what I do.

9th Annual Molokai Chamber of Commerce Business and Food Expo

molokaichamber.org

Sandwich Tribute:

Chef Chris Schobel–Hula Grill, Kaanapali, Maui

Pork in a steamed bau bun with pickled veg, fresh cilantro and a smear of Hoisin, garnished with hot sauce.

90 in 90 Molokai, Day 33, Lost Chick

2011-11-04T23:49:00.000-07:00

The babies are hard wired to peep like the house is on fire as soon as their mother is out of sight. Walking back from town today, I heard the racket before I spotted a tiny chick on the side of the road, no mother chicken in sight. Of course I scared the baby and sadly it ran into traffic, missed getting flattened by inches and plunged back into the grass where it was soon hopelessly tangled. Great, still no Mom so I picked the chick up and and went looking. I set it down every now and then so it would make a racket and hopefully the Mom would respond, but no luck. After half an hour of this routine the chick was running back to me. Just to say, I'm typing with one hand because the peeping doesn't stop unless it's curled up in my other hand. I did the entire painting holding it (don't know how to tell if it's a boy or a girl). I've made a few calls looking for a home and I'm sure someone with a farm won't mind one more chicken.

90 in 90, Day 32, Bird of Paradise

2011-11-03T18:40:00.000-07:00

Looking around the yard for flowers I found a huge Bird of Paradise plant, pulled the weeds out of it and cut a few flowers. The first time I came to Hawaii thirty years ago I was amazed by 'house plants' growing like weeds. In a storm huge chunks of philodendrons blew down the road. People use machetes to hack back hedgerows of plants and flowers that we baby indoors in colder climates. Giant clumps of grass grow out of the tops of stop signs and sprout from fence posts. I'm trying to grow vegetables, but the bugs like them as much as I do. The flowers seem nearly immune though.

90 paintings in 90 days, Day 31, Mamo

2011-11-02T22:41:00.000-07:00

Puppies simply have to be cute to survive. If a person chewed off the end of a quilt and pulled all the stuffing out, they would just have to move out. This little guy burns up all his energy chasing something seriously important like a gum wrapper, then passes out face down in the doorway. Time management isn't remotely part of his world. He is so happy that he wags fur off his tail. No kidding, his fur is wearing thin from exuberant wagging. I'd like to have half his energy, even if it meant jumping up and down for no apparent reason and doing naughty things.

First 30 days

I've avoided ranting about what actually makes this project feel like a marathon, but here it is. It is way harder than I thought it would be. I'm a slow painter because I don't draw naturally well. I really have to work at it. I should have done a drawing everyday for a year before starting this. I stand up to paint simply because it's faster and my back would whine if I sat for six or seven hours a day leaning forward at an easel so my feet hurt instead. Some days I feel about as inspired as a banana slug. I'm at the point where I can't judge my own work very well, being critical apparently takes time and setting a deadline means I have to post something whether I'm satisfied or not. I see ways to improve all of them and so far I'm only completely happy with one of them. Plus I have the time management skills of a puppy on my best day. I never guessed that staying organized would be so absolutely necessary.
Friends have asked to buy them or put them on Ebay for auction, but I can't do that right now. If they didn't sell I might loose my enthusiasm. As a learning project that has turned into a spiritual journey requiring me to forge the depths of my soul for motivation I doubt my fragile ego could survive public apathy. They'll be for sale eventually, after I've moved on to another project. Some of them may need to be used for ho'okupu (see day 30), to request divine inspiration. Only two months to go.

90 paintings in 90 days, Day 30, Offering

2011-11-01T22:00:00.000-07:00

Ho'okupu

These ho'okupu are small objects tied in ti leaves. They're used for an offering, like lighting a candle in church, to ask for acknowledgement from God or a higher power, what you believe. The inside is personal. I used a flower lei that I'd worn to an event and left the offering among others in a special place.
For more information;
http://hawaii.hawaii.edu/hawaiian/KHaili/hookupu.htm

90 paintings in 90 days, Day 29, Moon

2011-11-01T01:00:00.000-07:00

New Moon

Janet, this moon is for you!
Tonight I went to friend's house for dinner and we ended up chasing insects with a vacuum cleaner. A bloom of carpenter ants had taken over the house. Life in the country, I swear. They ran up my arms and I couldn't get them out of my hair. While I was chasing the bugs with a shop vac a gecko fell off the ceiling and bounced off my head. Actually, it was the perfect Halloween night complete with primal squealing. Forget ghosts, giant winged ants in Biblical numbers and falling lizards are way more creepy.

90 paintings in 90 days, Day 28, Camping

2011-10-31T00:58:00.000-07:00

Camping in the Wind

The tents did their own version of hula in the wind, like animated parachutes tethered to the ground. Great weekend, thank you all! I know how much fun I had by the amount of sand that fell out of my clothes.

90 paintings in 90 days, Day 27, Monk Seal

2011-10-31T00:47:00.000-07:00

Monk Seal

Hawaiian Monk seals are solitary creatures and very rare. They visit Molokai's remote beaches and shy away from people. This old guy was huge, his face was green with algae growing in his fur, but I left that out. Since I went camping with friends over the weekend I started the painting outside, but wasps dive bombed the paint. One was fine, but it left and soon returned with a small swarm. When they made it quite clear it was now their paint I took the hint and finished in the tent.

American Samoa 2012 Calendars

2011-10-29T04:24:00.000-07:00

I'll finish a painting today for the 90 day project, but won’t have internet access to post it this evening so there will be two posted on Sunday.

Sadie's Hotels in American Samoa produced a 2012 calendar using images of my paintings that is available for sale at the Sadie’s Gift Shop, several stores in American Samoa and by mail order.

front

images inside

back

Calendars are 8.5 x 11"
$8.95 each with priority mail cost of $4.95 which covers any quantity!
Re-sellers please send an e-mail for a wholesale price list.

Pay via PAYPAL to: sales@sadieshotels.com VISA, MC or AMEX are also accepted.
info@sadieshotels.com

Sadie's Hotels
P.O. Box 3222
Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799
Phone: (684) 633-5981
Fax: (684) 633-5982

    The paintings in the calendar are of my friends and neighbors, the stunning scenery and flowers growing outside my door in American Samoa. I used to own a thrift store in Nu’uuli and lived alone for many years on the side of a mountain in a quiet village surrounded by beautiful gardens.
     To keep the store going I often returned from traveling with my suitcase stuffed to capacity with tubes of paint and last minute items I found at yard sales. On one return trip my ongoing flight was cancelled so I checked into a hostel in Honolulu. I was given the last bed left in a room filled with drunken teenagers. When I swung my overloaded old suitcase onto the bunk it unfortunately burst open. Cake pans, talking Teletubbies, art supplies, size 14 loafers, a dozen Barbie dolls, 6X bras, men's underpants and handfuls of Happy Meal toys flew across the floor. I didn't have my own clothes with me, just the random stuff now laid out at the feet of some flabbergasted guys from Wisconsin on a bender in the islands. Their empty beer cans and ant covered pizza boxes didn't look quite so trashy anymore. We stared at each other in mute silence until the cake pans stopped rolling around. I felt like I just blurted out my most bizarre dream during a job interview. One guy recovered a little faster than the others offering, "Cool, can I buy you a beer?" Being peculiar was apparently an effective ice breaker with inebriated Midwestern teenagers.
      I've never intentionally repeated the technique, although in every culture there are ways to achieve similar results. Giving food in American Samoa is always appreciated, but it’s not cool to make a big deal about it. I never could pronounce the name of the village I lived in. Tafeta seems so easy, but there are stresses on the vowels I could never hear or repeat, but I would try at least five different ways before people laughed and gave up on me. My Mom never minded embarrassing herself, although she used to make me want to run and hide when I was a teenager and my sister refuses to be embarrassed, which is an asset while traveling, because it’s going to happen. I might have been amusing to my neighbors in American Samoa, like I was for the guys in the hostel, but I was warmly tolerated, often included and loved living there. These paintings were done in that spirit.
     Many of the originals are on display at Sadie's by the Sea. Reproductions on canvas are available from any of the paintings, produced by printthatimage.com, an exceptional fine art printer. Please write to me if you are interested at cb2c@yahoo.com.

90 paintings in 90 days, Day 26, Soap

2011-10-28T20:50:00.000-07:00

Homage to Soap

Soap has got tobe mankind’s finest social invention. Life in the tropics would not be the samewithout it. Living on Molokai would be impossible. In a matter of weekseveryone on the island would be the exact same color as red dirt. I washed thedogs today, the water swirling down the drain was oxide red and they live indoors. Some wouldargue that coat hangers are up there with soap, or we would all be buried ingarments, but soap makes social interaction so much more pleasant. On my listof things to appreciate I’m surprised it didn’t come up sooner. The puppy thatruns around out of control in this house chews on volcanic rocks, but won’t eatmilk bones and he bit into a bar of soap when I dropped it. I couldn’t stop himfast enough, but I’ll smile every time his surprised little face comes to mind. Gotta love soap.

90 paintings in 90 days, Day 25, Alternative Pumpkins

2011-10-27T21:09:00.000-07:00

Alternative Pumpkins

     Finding produce on Molokai isn't always a matter of going to the store, it gets better. Coconuts are available on the side of the road. The Saturday Market features fruit and vegetables grown in back yards and a trip to Kumu Farms near the airport yields fresh picked greens and more. The farm is surprising. Variegated rows of leafy plants in every shade of green against the red volcanic soil vanish toward the horizon. Papayas hang from trees by the thousands. Vegetables are laid out on tables, stacked in baskets or in the case of giant pumpkins, heaped on a pallet. Three odd pumpkins sat on a picnic table, glowing in the soft filtered light of a large banyan tree looking more like sculpture than food. I went to get one thing and left with a sack full. People clutched bags of lettuce like addicts. Manu showed me around, extending an invitation to paint, photograph the farm or just wander around. I could easily sit and stare at vegetables all day, but then I might have to explain myself. Happy pre-Halloween.

Kumu Farms
Emanuela Vinciquerra, Sales and Marketing Director
P.O. Box 223
Kualapu'u, Hawaii 96757
manu@KumuFarms.com

   The best web site with the most up to date information about visiting Molokai is:
www.visitmolokai.com and check out "Visit Molokai" on Facebook to see Jeff Jumper's latest photos or participate in a contest to win cool stuff. (thanks Jeff!)

90 paintings in 90 days, Day 24, Molokai Rainbows

2011-10-27T02:37:00.000-07:00

Molokai Rainbows

      The first time I saw these colorful birds I swerved the car. They are for real, with a little help from their owners and some harmless food dye. They stick together and come back where they are regularly fed so it's not a stretch to release them at events and expect them to return home. The birds don't seem to notice that they're more colorful than Gummi bears. When released they circle a few times to orient themselves in the direction of the roost before heading off to inspire first time witnesses to swerve.
   The flock numbers around one hundred and fifty, certainly more than the scope of this painting, but the entire spectrum of birds against Molokai's cobalt blue sky is nearly enough to cure manic depression.
contact:
       Fly the Rainbows
"For any reason or no reason"
   dcmolokai@hotmail.com

90 paintings in 90 days, Day 23, Polynesian Voyaging Canoes

2011-10-25T23:43:00.000-07:00

Polynesian Voyaging Canoes

Seven voyaging canoes, sailing across the Pacific as part of Te Mana o Te Moana, which translates “The Spirit of the Sea” visited Hawaii over the summer. The voyage of several years began in April 2011 in Aukland, New Zealand. After visiting the Big Island and Maui they sailed to Molokai in June. Bill Harris took the photograph I used for the painting from the beach on Molokai with the island of Lanai in the background. Follow their journey at: http://www.pacificvoyagers.org
Thanks Bill, I love the image, but if you call me Cathy I'll start calling you Uncle :).

90 paintings in 90 days, Day 22, Magenta Flowers

2011-10-24T22:51:00.000-07:00

Magenta Flowers

Inspired by Barbara Jackson's pomegranate painting, paintingwithpencil.blogspot.com. I agree with you that there probably isn't any more merit in painting faster, but it is an exercise in loosening up. Also, when I slow down and concentrate after rushing through a few they come out better somehow. There is always more to learn with painting, which is probably why it never gets boring.
These small flowers wilt shortly after they're picked so I sat outside in the wind next to the plant and developed all new respect for plein air painters. Dirt blew into the paint and the brisk wind kept the subject in motion. Flies and mosquitoes annoyed the crap out of me, then some weird winged thing drowned in the white paint. I had planned to paint landscapes as part of this project, but I may end up painting inside a tent to avoid watching bugs die horribly in the paint. After reading Barbara's blog I intended to paint faster today to see what would happen, but the true motivation to race through the painting came from wind and bugs.

90 paintings in 90 days, Day 21, Drink Umbrella

2011-10-24T00:48:00.000-07:00

Drink Umbrella

Friends came over so we practiced drawing party/drink umbrellas. Thanks Sherry and Noel, you made my day. Painting is usually a solitary endeavor so it was fun to have company. You're welcome anytime!

90 paintings in 90 days, Day 20, Papohaku Puka Shell Necklace

2011-10-23T00:31:00.000-07:00

Papohaku Puka Shell Necklace

made by Maria Watanabe, owner of Imports Gift Shop, Kaunakakai, Molokai

Back in the 70's puka shells were actually cool, briefly, before acquiring icon status verging on tacky like golf pants and patchouli oil. This necklace was made by a friend who finds the shells on a remote beach on Molokai. Some days only a few turn up, other times there are heaps. I've looked and never found any, but then I would need a chiropractor on retainer to stoop all day picking up shells. On Molokai puka shells are mismatched, varied in color and quite unusual, but together somehow they work. Pretty much like people, which is cool. Now say Papohaku puka three times fast.

90 paintings in 90 days, Day 19, Molokai Dirt Road

2011-10-21T23:22:00.000-07:00

Molokai Dirt Road

Molokai's red dirt roads crisscross the island. They wander into the back country, wind downhill to the best beaches and go nearly vertical up the mountain to the rain forest. Bumping down a dirt road in an old pick-up, music blaring, dogs barking in back, those are the best times on Molokai. The movie theater closed and there are only a handful of restaurants on the island so most days entertainment is pretty much watching coconuts fall. But there are so many places of exceptional beauty and rare moments of quiet, well, if you turn the radio off and leave the dogs home, but who would do that?

90 paintings in 90 days, Day 18, Humuhumunukunukuapua'a

2011-10-20T22:26:00.000-07:00

Humuhumunukunukuapua'a

This is the Hawaii State fish, but it does take a little practice to say it. I've heard the name means "one who grunts like a pig" and sure enough they do. I caught one and it is surprising how loud they are, but it's not exactly grunting. One who croaks like a pig is more like it. I threw it back, because I couldn't imagine eating a fish that is so entertaining. It's not hard to say if you break it down, humu humu nuku nuku apu ah ah, just grunt it out.

90 paintings in 90 days, Day 17, Fresco Shell

2011-10-19T19:24:00.000-07:00

Fresco Shell

I was telling my friend Chris, an amazing fine art printer (printthatimage.com), about other web sites that feature artists who paint every day. One artist claims to be the founder of the painting every day movement, although it isn't an original idea. Picasso for one did similar exercises with lithographs and it's well worth doing, I guarantee you'll find out where your strengths and weaknesses are. The exciting thing about painting is that there is always more to learn. The paintings don't always come out like I imagine, at some point they take on a life of their own. While I was thinking about cave painters, because they may well have painted every day too, this shell happened.

90 paintings in 90 days, Day 16, Hawaiian Lei

2011-10-19T02:14:00.000-07:00

Hawaiian Lei

Being given a lei is always special. Volumes can be written about the nuances of lei giving in Hawaii, it is that much a part of the culture. They are significant and elegant, friendship made visible and always worth keeping.

90 paintings in 90 days, Day 15, Croton Leaves

2011-10-18T00:02:00.000-07:00

Croton Leaves

The first time my sister visited Hawaii she collected handfuls of these wacky leaves and did a watercolor painting. I barely noticed them. It's like Canadians getting excited about geraniums, a plant nearly invisible to Californians. This morning my sister suggested I paint Croton leaves. I went to search the yard, not sure if there were any. They line the walkway to the house and I go by them everyday, only it took a Canadian in California to point them out. Thanks Mernie.


15 days, only 75 to go

90 paintings in 90 days, Day 14, Hanging Pots

2011-10-17T01:36:00.000-07:00

Hanging Pots

A string of clay pots hang in the potting shed at my friend's house where I paint. I spent many months in Mexico this year and miss friends and certainly the food. Every time I glance at the pots fond memories of Mexico come to mind. Now I get why people collect souvenirs. It took awhile before I put two and two together though. If there were a place on Molokai to get good tacos I would have been rushing to town like Pavlov's dog.

90 paintings in 90 days, Day 13, Horse Lei

2011-10-15T23:04:00.000-07:00

Horse Lei

Today my friends rode in the Aloha Week Parade in Kaunakakai, Molokai. I would like to paint portraits of all of them, but to finish the painting in a day I had to choose one small detail. Making leis for horses is a skill few people possess. Auntie Tika tied kukui and ti onto rolled burlap sacks with string, rolling the leaves as she went. The mountain of greenery gathered for the leis had to be moved in a horse trailer.
The animals know they are dressed up and act like the parade is all for them. They paw their feet, bow their heads and mug for the camera. Nothing like a beautiful family riding unabashed horses to make the parade special.


Kulia Keli'iku-Peters, 2011 Pa'u Queen and her family.

Horse leis are carefully made with non-toxic plants since some horses try to eat them.

90 painitngs in 90 days, Day 12, Monica's Smile

2011-10-14T21:41:00.000-07:00

Monica's Smile

There are four tedious, painstakingly accurate versions underneath this painting that really did need to be covered up. When I quickly slapped paint over yet another failed attempt I finally liked it. Imagine my surprise.

90 paintings in 90 days, Day 11, Spam Musubi

2011-10-13T18:11:00.000-07:00

Spam Musubi

Personally I think the best Spam musubi on Molokai is sold at the gas station. They keep it hot in a little oven. While Spam and rice wrapped in seaweed isn't for everyone (right, like Spam is), I guarantee that if you spend enough time in Hawaii you'll not only get over your initial disbelief, but will eventually learn to love it. One day you too will find yourself in line at the gas station just because you got hooked on hot Spam and seaweed for breakfast. Yum.

90 paintings in 90 days, Day 10, Flame Tree

2011-10-12T21:29:00.000-07:00

Flame Tree

This time of year Flame trees light up the landscape. There is almost no paint bright enough to duplicate the color. Standing under a huge canopy of blossoms on a carpet of petals is one of those unexpected moments in nature that take your breath away. The trees can be enormous, on a windy day in full bloom they actually look like they are going up in flames.

90 paintings in 90 days, Day 9, Java Sparrows

2011-10-12T01:20:00.000-07:00

Java Sparrows

Introduced in the late 1800's the sparrows have thrived in Hawaii, although they are becoming rare in Indonesia where they originated. They are given large bowls of seed twice a day where I'm staying, lining up on the wires that cross the yard half an hour before like music notes. Their insistent chirping now a familiar song marking the time twice daily as they are never, ever late. I can't even do that when I wear a watch.

90 paintings in 90 days, Day 8, Molokai Hoe

2011-10-10T21:25:00.000-07:00

Molokai Hoe

The outriggers headed out to sea early. It was exciting to witness the culmination of years of training, cooperation and effort behind the scenes to bring the race together. More than a thousand canoe paddlers along with their friends and family stood silently on the beach before the boats left, head's lowered in prayer for a safe passage. The race crosses 41 miles of open ocean from Molokai to Oahu. I painted the scene in a style I find difficult hoping to express the energy of the moment. The rolling waves and all those bodies in motion called for something beyond hard lines. I may revisit this one after the 90 day project is over and try again, it's not quite where I want it and don't know how to make it work, yet, there is always hope.

Molokai Hoe , Hale o Lono Harbor, 2011

90 paintings in 90 days, Day 7, Lilikoi

2011-10-09T23:00:00.000-07:00

Lilikoi

     This morning 160, 6-man canoes left Molokai with crews from all over the world. My friend Julie picked me up at dawn to see the race start. On the way back she asked if I wanted a few bags of lilikoi that she picks up in her yard. So that's what made the car smell so good. Thanks Julie, that stuff is like gold. Tomorrow I'll walk up the street and ask Auntie Ada how to make lilikoi butter. It only took four hours to paint them and two hours to cut them open and extract the juice from the gooey stuff inside. I have no idea how much I need, although I saved the seeds. There's enough to grow about 50,000 more.

The week in review:
      Each day I find something to appreciate that will also be challenging to paint. After the basics are organized I take a minute to clear my mind and ask for help. My first thought usually lacks confidence so I set it aside, then I get this inkling that maybe there is a universal source of inspiration or a brilliant muse ready to come out of hiding and I get a mental picture of cheesecake, or a smoldering cigarette or something else that I really want that has nothing to do with painting. So I give up thinking and just start. I keep going back to what every successful person who has pursued any creative venture says, you just have to keep doing it.
     There have been a few times when the brush did something unexpected. A few times I completely lost track of time and hours passed that seemed like minutes, although the first half hour really feels like a marathon. All those worthless thoughts that slow things down were not as frequent toward the end of the week and that is progress. I don't get why egos get in the way. You'd think egos everywhere would leap around with day-glow pom poms shrieking raucous cheers to support damned near anything that would make them feel better. I'm giving mine a whistle and a marching band, just for not giving up.

90 paintings in 90 days, Day 6, Saturday Market

2011-10-08T22:18:00.000-07:00

Saturday Market

Great produce on Molokai is found on the sidewalk in Kaunakakai on Saturday morning. Most of it is grown in back yards. Vendors set up tables to sell everything from red hot peppers to hand made baby blankets. Proportionally this pile of loot looks strange. Apple bananas are small, the grapefruit was enormous and tropical chili peppers are extra tiny, but should never be underestimated. In a recipe that calls for them you could substitute mace. In Samoa people plant the bushes outside their windows to discourage thieves and it works. I'm not sure what the long "bean" is. It tastes bitter raw and I'm not sure how to cook it, but I'll enjoy looking at it on the counter.

90 paintings in 90 days, Day 5, Slippahs

2011-10-07T20:15:00.000-07:00

Slippahs

Flip-flops (or slippahs in Hawaii) and maybe a pair of sneakers are all anyone needs on Molokai. Most people kick their shoes off outside the front door and a good party is a massive pile of slippahs on the porch. Like luggage, they tend to look alike and I walked off with my host's a few times on my last visit. This time I brought unmistakeable pink and orange slippahs. The beauty of this great weather is that the dog will probably chew them up long before I need them.

90 paintings in 90 days, Day 4, Lilikoi Butter

2011-10-06T20:35:00.000-07:00

Lilikoi Butter

Lilikoi butter is canned in small jars and handed out to friends. The dear Aunties of Molokai make it from a variety of passion fruit locally called lilikoi and nothing like it is found in stores. If it came in bigger jars I would drink it. The crackers are saloon pilots, made in Hawaii, but the package also claims "Original Hawaiian". I'm not totally up on the history of crackers, but I think these are quite similar to the hardtack the ancient mariner gnawed on. It's a sturdy, long lived cracker. I found a 5 gallon pail of them recently that had been stored for 10, maybe 20 years and they were just fine. So, the most exquisite, rare jam in the world on a nearly extinct cracker with a papaya, great breakfast.

90 paintings in 90 days, Day 3, Plumeria

2011-10-05T20:03:00.000-07:00

Plumeria

When plumeria flowers fall off the tree they pinwheel to the ground, landing face down. Often the back is brighter than the front. It's one of the few random things in nature that looks incredibly well planned. Flowers are never as amazing painted as they are in real life and plumeria smell heavenly. I told Dottie this morning it should be a scratch and sniff painting.