Jack in the Box

Lately I have been motivated to paint. I went quite a while without putting brush to canvas, but now it's a different story. I just signed my latest, which I have entitled "Jack in the Box." Why that title? Let me post the painting here, then I'll explain.

Jack in the Box

This is Jackson, my grandson. This picture was taken many years ago and I've saved it with the thought of painting it one day. Jackson is soon to be 19 years old and I'm sure this was taken when he was three or four. So cute!!! BTW,the box really did say "First Class Travel for Children." He is now a freshman at MTSU in Murfreesboro taking music classes. He is following in his father's footsteps in the music business. He aspires to be a recording artist. He has written many songs and, with dad's help and expertise, has released a few of his original songs. You can follow him on facebook under Jackson Forrest. I am so very proud of him.
     
Although I signed it,it is not completed to my satisfaction, but to be honest I got tired of fighting to hide the grid lines. I didn't think about that while doing the drawing so had to deal with. I will work on it some more.

I do have another project that I will be working on. I'm anxious to get started on it. It is a portrait of a very special couple, people who have done so much to help me. I wanted to repay their kindnesses, so we agreed on a "commission" of a portrait. I hope and pray I can do them justice.

Well, that's all for now. See you next time.

I'm Back

I guess you've noticed that I've been MIA for a little over a month. This past month has been filled with so many other things that needed to be done. The month of November started out with a presentation for the Women's Ministry of my church - which I am told was a success. Then the holidays were upon us; Thanksgiving, then Christmas. Have you ever thought about the fact that we celebrate three holidays in a short period of time - starting with Halloween at the end of October. Busy, busy time.

To make matters worse, I was not operating at 100% ability. Let me explain. I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Disease (commonly referred to as Rheumatoid Arthritis) in late 2011 and have been under doctor's care ever since. It can be a debilitating disease and there are days that doing anything at all - physically or mentally - can be almost impossible to handle. I still paint, but it takes me longer to finish a work. Sometimes when I'm hurting I just push through and other times painting has also proven to be cathartic in the sense that it takes me out of the pain.

Here's a painting I just finished today.

Mauna Kea at Sunset

Commissioned by a friend back in November. They requested a painting of this mountain - the tallest point in the islands - in the world - when you consider it from its base deep in the ocean. Mt. Everest stands at 29,035 feet above sea level, and undeniably the "highest altitude" in the world, but the highest mountain is Mauna Kea. The catch: it's a dormant volcano which is about 19,700 feet below the Pacific Ocean, in other words, more than half of it is submerged. When you add everything together, Mauna Kea is over 10,000 meters tall or way taller than the 8,850 meters of Mt. Everest - making it the "worlds tallest mountain." The location is near ideal because of its dark skies from lack of light pollution, good astronomical seeing, low humidity, high elevation of 4,205 meters (13,796 ft), position above most of the water vapor in the atmosphere, clean air, good weather and low latitude location. 

 At present there is a lot of controversy surrounding this mountain. Because of the ideal conditions stated above, there are already observatories on top of the mountain, but the scientists/ astrologist want to build more and larger observatories to house larger telescopes. The governor has approved that build, but the local people are in arms about that because they consider the mountain sacred. They have been fighting against the construction for several months. The activists have been literally living on the summit of the mountain for months in an attempt to keep construction from starting.

Normally it wouldn't have taken me this long to finish, however, there were a couple of weeks that I could not bring myself to paint. Now that's done, I'm ready to take on another project.

What Can I Say - Late Again!!

Guess I'm always going to be late posting to this blog. Just can't seem to stay on top of it as I would like.

Saturday, week before last I displayed some artwork and bore my testimony at a Women's Ministry Brunch for my church. I must admit that I was very apprehensive about it - I think it was more the anticipation of doing it because once I got started it went very well. Better than I expected. The whole event was very well received and I breathed a sigh of relief.

As a result of that show, with the help of my son I rearranged the paintings in my studio/home. (I tell people, when necessary, "I live in my studio."). My son provided the muscle for hanging them. Luckily we did this when we did, because someone asked if he could bring his wife over to see my paintings. She missed the brunch. Here's my two primary walls that I hang my work on.

Notice the completed bassist from last time's post. 

Guess that's all for this time. Need to get started on another project.

It's Been a Month

What can I say - it's been a month since I last posted. I'm trying, but try as I might, two weeks between posts has been difficult to keep up. I have all kinds of excuses, but not gonna go there, just sorry!

A bonus though, I've almost done with The Players - Bassist. I wanted to finish him because next month, November 2nd, Saturday to be exact, I will be hanging some of my pieces at a church function put on by the Women's Ministry of my church and I wanted to finish him before that time. Here he is:

  

I thought the painting of the first in this series was a challenge, I found that this one was a challenge as well - I thought it was going to be easy. The standup bass was the real challenge. For one, the wood had such a variation of color and grain - that I finally went with what seemed right. I did really enjoy doing this piece. Just needs a few more tweaks. For sure it will not be exactly like the picture.

Talk about the picture, I will post it below so that you can compare. I tried to put them side-by-side but couldn't do it.

Thank you for visiting. I will post the finished painting shortly.



2nd in The Players series

I did not mention it in my last blog post, but I've started a new series which I call "The Players." God has given each of us a special talent and since I enjoy painting people doing what they do, this series will be of people who exercise their God-given talent by playing music. The players are those men and women who are in the background, who are so essential to "seasoning" what the lead people are doing. Music is a universal language and very much a part of our lives. I can't imagine what this world would be without music and the part the players play in bringing us the music.

I'm going to do something I normally don't. I am going to post here the beginning of the current painting I will be working on - probably for the next month or so. I'm working from a photograph that I took of the bassist in a band called "Horseshoes and Hand Grenades." I know, I also thought, what kind of name is that, but guess they had a reason for picking that name. Anyway they were performing at the Ryman Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee during the Ryman's Bluegrass segment when I saw them. This player intrigued me - as I mentioned to my friend, "he looks like he's tripping, but he is really good."  That's when I decided to do this series, starting with the piece I did of my son in performance. Not sure how far I will take it.

18x24 oil on stretched canvas

I think I'm going to enjoy doing this one. I will post as I progress on this piece.

FINISHED - FINALLY!!

Hi All:

It has been a little over two weeks since I last blogged (actually 21 days). Have been trying to be more consistent about posting every two weeks, but having difficulty doing that. This time it was due to the fact that I wanted to finish this painting, then post it.

This painting was taken from a photo taken by a fan of my son, Kimo Forrest, in performance. Kimo plays lead guitar and sings harmony with the mega-star band Alabama. He also has his own band - Cash Creek - that he fronts, sings harmony and lead vocals, and plays lead guitar and sometimes keyboards. He is quite proficient on all instruments.

Anyway, the fan posted the photo on Facebook and it popped up on my feed (I think I posted it here on July 2nd. -  I'll post it again so that you can have a comparison.) I was so impressed by the photo that I decided to challenge myself and paint it. Here it is:

"The Player" - Oil on 30x24 stretched canvas

 



I started the charcoal sketch on May 29th and here it is August 9 and finally finished.

  

Here's the photo I took it from. Considered putting the stripes from his shirt in, but realized that it would've probably proved too stressful.

 

 

I'm thinking that maybe this will be the start of a series of musicians in performance ... hmm, good idea - I think. That's it for now. Talk to you next time, hopefully in two weeks.



I'm Back

My last post was July 2nd. It is now July 20th. A little more than two weeks, but not much considering the fact that I have been under the weather for the past week - actually side effects from a new medication my doc wanted to put me on.

Anyhow, thought I would post this triptych I did for an art competition back in 2010. The competition was sponsored by the First Baptist Church of Nashville. It won the "Purchase Award" which was worth $250. That was a surprise as I didn't expect to win anything. The prize money, to me, was not as rewarding as the fact that the painting was recognized. The painting had to reflect the theme - The Return of the Prodigal.  I don't remember the exact size, but it was pretty large after all the pieces were put together. Here's that piece.

The Return of the Prodigal

I tried to be as authentic to the time as I could. I know the actual story tells of how the father went way beyond the protocols of behavior by hiking up his "skirts" and running down the road to meet his once lost son. Composition-wise this was the only way I could show all three main characters - had to include the disgruntled older son.

Well, that's all I have for now. Hopefully I'll be able to work on my current WIP (work in progress) and post it for you in a couple of weeks.

Messed Up Already!!

Hi Y'all. Well my commitment to post every two weeks has already gone awry! My last posting was in May - at least it was this year. I won't make excuses, I messed up.  However, I do want to get back on the bandwagon and try to do better.

I do have a painting on my easel which I started on May 29th. My son, who is a professional musician plays lead guitar with the mega-popular country music band Alabama. He was in performance when a fan snapped the photo I'm about to post. I found it on Facebook and was so impressed with the impact the photo made, that I decided that I would challenge myself and paint it. It's the largest I've ever done - 30x24. I think it was the way the light fell on him that made the photo so impactful. Anyway, below is that photo.



 

I have done quite a bit on the painting, but it has a ways to go to be considered finished. It definitely has been a challenge, but it has been "fun" to do. I'm not going to post WIP photos, will finish it before I post.

 

So, so long until next time!

BYGONE DAYS!!!

 

As I said in my last posting to this blog, I was going to try to post something every couple of weeks. It may not be a painting, but initially, I stated that I would also post on my culture as well. I am what is referred to in the Islands as "hapa." Meaning half white. My father was 100%  Hawaiian, while my mother had very little Hawaiian - about 16%  or even less (I think).

 

Anyway, today I was browsing through photographs for something to paint and came across this - forgotten all about -  picture. That's me second from left. I don't know what age I was at this time, but I'm going to guess about 14-15. I was sooo surprised to find this that I  just had to share. These were the young people who were part of the LDS church group; MIA (Mutual Improvement Assoc.). I was raised Mormon and had fun as a teenager growing up in the church, The church provided its young people with a lot of fun activities.

 

I'm guessing (because we're in hula garb) that we were doing a fundraiser for the church's building fund. Such memories.

 

 I'll identify each one beginning front, left to right: Cornell Canto, Me - Lokelani, brother Kaiwa, MaileAnn Enos, Alvin Kaleihuawehi, Maualei Long, Rodney Rodrigues. Back row: L-R sister Leina'ala, cousin Kanani, Viola Johnson, "Fatso" Johnson and Puanani Mahi.

No Excuses!!

Hi All:

Whoa!! Can't believe that my last post to this blog was August, 2018. The only excuse I have is that I have not been painting. My original intent for this blog was to, besides posting any paintings, I would also post "this and that" about my cultural background. I'm going to try to be more on top of it all, no promises, but will try.

Anyway, here's my latest:

Dave Kalni Forrest

My oldest son, Dave Kalani. He has been gone for a number of years now, and I had never thought to paint his portrait until recently. Maybe the delay was because it would've been painful - I don't know. Although I had moments of deep sadness during the painting process, I was able to complete it (I think it needs a few tweaks) and I feel good about doing it. He was such a sweet young man - handsome, talented both artistically and musically. He did some fine artwork, which now hangs in my home.  Kalani you are so missed!

 

I will try to post something at least once every two weeks.  Mahalo for visiting and God bless.

I'M BACK

Hi ya'll:

Omigosh, it has been a long, long time since I posted here. When last I posted it was May 22, 2017 and here it is August 12, 2018. One reason is because I haven't been doing much painting. In fact, I had two WIP (works in progress) at the time.  I finished the one of my nephew and his son. It has been shipped and I understand is now hanging in the spot he reserved for it. Have a look here.

It is a rather large piece (I don't remember the exact dimensions) and it was quite a feat to finish it.

The other WIP was a painting of my granddaughter working at the easel when she was about 4 years old. I have just (I think) finished it. It may need a few tweaks, but I think it's about time I called it finished. It was just one of those paintings that took so much time and effort that I needed a break from it - that break went for quite a while. I'll post it as I originally intended then what it evolved into.





This is it finished!!

 

I think I like it better. I am so glad it is DONE!! What do you think?

Snuck This One In!

     If you saw my last post, I showed you a couple of paintings that were in progress. Those are still in progress, but snuck this on in for my church's auction. Just finished today so thought I'd post it here today. I am pleased with it.

     

Dueling Bluebirds - 16x20 stretched canvas

 

WORKS IN PROGRESS!!

My last post was December 26, 2016 - I cannot believe I have been so neglectful about keeping up with this blog AND with my painting. It seems like I'm always apologizing for my lateness - but sorry. For some unknown reason I have been in a "funk" lately.

Last entry I posted working on two paintings. I'm going to post here one of those that I have lots to do on yet, but with the detail work required, I just had to put it aside. It is a painting of my grand-daughter at the easel when she was about 3-1/2 years old.

24x18 oil on stretched canvas - "The Painter" - unfinished

 

The other painting I've started is a commission from my nephew. It is of he and his little son walking on the beach in the evening. Lots more work needed on this one.

24x36 oil on stretched canvas - untitled - in a very rough state





Now all I need is the enthusiasm to work on these paintings. I know both will be good pieces when they are done.

BACK AT THE EASEL - YAY!

Yes, I'm back to doing what I should have been doing all along - painting. God gave me this ability and I'm ashamed to say I have not been glorifying Him by doing anything with that ability.

I had one project in mind that I just had to finish. A few years back, I did a competition piece for the First Baptist Church in Nashville, TN and their annual art competition. The piece was titled "Take This Cup." I didn't think it would do anything but it won the purchase award where the church purchased the painting for their gallery. I really did want it for myself so thought I would do another for myself, which I finally did this year - 2016. There was so much wrong with it, but finally, after many months I put it back on my easel to finish. It still needs some tweaking, but here it is. Even unfinished, it hung in a prominent place in my home.

Take This Cup II - 15x30

 Then I have a brand new second project I am going to attempt to do. This is my granddaughter at about 3-1/2 years old. I stumbled on this picture when I posted a more recent one of her painting.
I love this photo and hope I can do it. The most problem I had with the sketch was getting the angles and proportions on the easel right. Here's hoping I can do it. I'm always up for the challenge. Sorry, having trouble lining up the photos.


Sketch - 18x24





My sweet Ellie.

What Have I Been Doing?

This posting is mainly to let my followers know that I am still alive and kicking in middle Tennessee.

Relating to the title of this post - I have been doing everything but painting. I had to correct the "Take This Cup II" painting of my last posting.  But have I done that yet? No, and I am very disappointed in myself for not being motivated to do that. I have, however, been involved in "scrapbooking" our Book of James study and creating Christmas cards for sale at my church. The monies are earmarked for missions, which we have contributed to for the past two years.

But, back to my painting. I have a painting that I did quite some time back that I would like to repost. It is special to me and was created for a family reunion in 2010. It has deep spiritual meaning for me. I titled it "Love Beyond Measure."

Here's the symbolism behind this painting:

God the Father is the White Rose,
The first pink rose symbolizes Jesus Christ. Your freedom from sin came from the Father through the Son. Therefore, the butterfly, which I see as symbolic of freedom, alights on the Christ Jesus. The Father's tear is self-explanatory. The bottom pink rose symbolizes the Holy Spirit and the roses laying on the table symbolize fallen man. The Koa wood vase and weathered Lauhala mat covering the wall represents the Hawaiian people and their culture and the fern represents the interweaving of ohana (family) with the roses.

Thank you for visiting me here. May God's choicest blessings be upon you and yours!!
    

Running Wild

Back in February I posted a couple of paintings that I was working on. One was a "commission" from my granddaughter. What she requested was a painting of five horses running free. I called it finished about a week ago. It was certainly a challenge and the end result was not exactly what I had hoped for. She loved it though and that's what's important.  She titled it "Running Wild."  I don't expect to be doing horses any time in the near future. 

Now I have to finish the other painting, which I am having problems with - "Take This Cup II." Just can't seem to get the anatomy right. I've taken out what is wrong, but now I have to put it back in - that's the problem. Oh well, it's not as though I was doing it for someone. I'm doing this painting for myself - however, do want to get it right.

Thanks for visiting.

What I'm Doing Now ...

Hard to believe, I know, my last posting was January 11th - here it is February 1st and I'm here again. I just wanted to show you how far I've gotten on the painting I spoke about last time. However, not only have I been working on "Take This Cup II," I've also accepted a "commission." I've italicized commission because it isn't a real commission. Let me explain - my granddaughter recently decided to redecorate her room in a western theme and asked me to paint her a picture with five horses running in a field. My first thought was - "Good grief that is quite a challenge - I don't do animals, much less horses." Anyway, because it would be a challenge, I told her I would do it, so wanted to show how far I've gotten into that one.

Two paintings going on at one time is not something I usually do, but it has been interesting. Still have a little more to do on "Take This Cup" and a lot more on the horses. That painting is proving to be a real challenge.  Here are both paintings:

Take This Cup II

Running Horses

 Please give me some feedback as to what you think about these paintings. Thanks for visiting.

For A More Creative 2016

Hello out there - I am still alive and kicking. What can I say except sorry for my terribly sporadic postings to this blog. Not only have I not been posting regularly, I have not been painting. That is a crying shame. I post my paintings to my computer's hard-drive by year, so I went back over those and was ashamed to find that in 2015 I did only two paintings. 2014 was not much better with three, and 2013 looks like I did only two. 2009 was my most creative year - I painted 28 paintings (I must've been on fire then). No wonder I have felt like I've been missing something. That's the reason for the title - I want (not a resolution) to be more creative this year - 2016.

This year I already have a couple of ideas in the works. I've already sketched one of them and am excited about doing it. In 2009 I did a painting for a local art competition and sale. I titled it "Take This Cup." It won the Purchase Award  and is hanging in the gallery at the Baptist church that ran the competition. (I didn't think it would receive recognition, much less be purchased) This is it ....

Take This Cup - 15x30 oil on stretched canvas

Anyway,  the painting became so meaningful to me as I was painting it that unconsciously I really didn't want it to sell, but it did. I decided someday to do another - something I don't ordinarily do. After six years, I finally am where I believe I can do it. Here is a very rough sketch. It will be a little different colorwise and a few other differences, but the overall remains the same - hopefully better.

Stay tuned for the progress.

The Cove

My post this time is a little different. Last week I had the privilege of participating in a women's retreat entitled Women Anointed, Redeemed. You will notice the bold letters spell out WAR ... we are in fact at war, a spiritual war that we are all facing. Our "war cry" was "I am a child of God, I am a woman of faith, I am a soldier of Christ." The retreat was held at the Billy Graham Education Center - better known as The Cove - in Ashville, NC. An amazingly spiritually uplifting place where you find yourself close to nature, thereby close to God. 

I took pictures and want to share some of them with you.

                                          

Immediately on getting off the interstate, there it is.

The Chapel at the Cove

A few of us inside the chapel

Singing inside the chapel - Perfect acoustics

Just an example of the meals - Understand they are gourmet cooks.

View of the dining room. It was like this three meals a day. They fed us well.

It was an amazing time. A time to reflect on your life, your beliefs, and to have your spirit lifted.

SURPRISE!!

Joyce and Clyde Bell

Knowing I needed to practice my "realism" skills I immediately remembered that I had saved a picture on my computer hard-drive of some very sweet people. My friends Joyce and Clyde Bell. The process went so smoothly that I just felt as though this painting was meant to be done. I told them I had done a seascape (knowing that Joyce loved sea scenes) and wanted to bring it by. 


I am rather pleased with how it turned out and the biggest reward for my efforts was their reaction to the surprise. Here's a photo of the unveiling. 

Thanks guys for being such good friends.