Imagine turquoise water, balmy sea breezes and a picturesque beach with sand as fine as sugar...and you can feel what it is like to stand on the shores of the famed Lanikai Beach. Lanikai is a beautiful area, and one I remember fondly from my childhood when my grandparents had a house overlooking the iconic Mokulua Islands. Because of my affinity for this place, when I was asked to paint a Lanikai beach scene I was excited to begin.
It is always interesting to work within the bounds of what a client requests. I find it a particular challenge to incorporate specific plants/flowers and landmarks in a way the looks realistic, yet fits my style and works within the "flowy" design layouts that I favor. I had a fair amount of flexibility with this one, although the clients specifically wanted Spider Lilies, Naupaka plants (with the little white flowers) and a sunrise color scheme.
Below you can see some inspirational reference photos I used, and check out some steps along the way of creating this piece. Once I was finished I decided that I liked the image enough to publish it. So I am pleased to say that I am offering giclee reproductions and aluminum prints of this image. Matted prints and phone cases are coming soon....so you can carry a little bit of Lanikai with you wherever you go! I hope you find that this piece reminds you of your own personal Lanikai memories, or the dream to one day visit this little piece of paradise.
Aloha for now!
Colleen
View of the Mokulua Islands from a hike above Lanikai with Nalu and Honey Girl
The abundant Naupaka plant found along Hawaii's beaches and Spider Lilies
A close-up of of beginning to add paint after sketching the layout in pencil
A couple layers of acrylic paint now in as I begin to develop the color scheme
After outlining with my paint pens, I always go in and add more color/ detail
Several coats of varnish later, I have officially completed "Lanikai Sunrise,"
an acrylic on canvas 24"x30" original piece. With a high resolution scan from
the printer we are able to offer a limited edition of 50 Giclee Reproductions
& 10 Artist Proofs. Also available are sleek, modern, Aluminum Prints of
different sizes! Check back soon for matted prints and phone cases.
Hi Trudy! I just sent you an email…sorry it took so long. Thanks so much for your comment and yes feel free to ask me any questions :) Aloha!
Hi Colleen (or Aloha)
I am 60 years old and finally living my dream to study art. I love you vibrant work and was bowled over to learn where you live and of your recent work.
in February I was sitting on Lanikai beach as a whale breached. Amazing!
I live in England but plan on returning to Ohau this yesr. I’m not rich (£$) but have made good friends who live 1 minute walk from ‘that beach’. They have invited me back to visit
On my course I have to chose an artist to study and do a small interpretation of their work plus an interview if possible.
Please may I use you, ask a few questions about how you work and try a small sample from your work.
Warmest regards from wet England
Trudy.