Love Beyond Measure

A little over a week ago I received a request from a member of my Macomber Ohana (family). Her name is Shaula her request was if I could assist her with artwork for a brochure she was putting together. Below is Shaula’s explanation of her vision.

The name of the facility is Life Care Center of Kona, it is a short/long term nursing facility. My grandmother, Rose Alapai was the first patient on their "Butterflies Are Free" program at this specific facility. The aim of the center is to provide tranquility and hope for those leaving this world. In honor of my grandmother I wrote a proposal, to the Life care center of Kona if they would call their palliative care, "Pulelehua, Butterflies are Free.” My grandmother passed away on Oct. 22, 2009 and since her passing, the children of Holualoa Elementary School, where she attended school and myself (home school liaison at this school) have made over 200 Pulelehua (butterfly) magnets. The magnets are placed on doors of patients going through this palliative care program. It has been a very successful partnership with the school. I am now in conversation with the center and we are planning the making of a brochure to share with families. It's very humbling to know we've impacted the lives of so many by softening the approaching deaths of their loved ones. I feel so honored to be such a vital part of such a wonderful ministry that we are called to do, to honor our kupuna (grandparent, ancestor).

In conversation with Shaula and getting her vision of what the painting should depict, I was able to create “Love Beyond Measure.”



This is how our conversation through Facebook messaging kinda went.

I'm really glad you think that the primary rose can be white because in thinking The Holy Trinity I could not get past the thought that the primary rose, God the Father, at the head should be white. The other thought I had was to have the pulelehua on the secondary rose which depicts God the Son, Jesus Christ. To me the pulelehua should be on Christ because, your "freedom" from sin came from the Father through the Son. Lastly, the bottom rose represents the Holy Spirit. Another thought was to lay 2-3 rose buds at the base of the vase to represent fallen mankind.

While in the process, I was strongly impressed upon to have a tear falling from the white rose (The Father) to the first pink rose (The Son)…which is self explanatory. The Koa Wood vase and the wall of “weathered” lauhala represents the Hawaiian people and their culture. The Palapalai fern on the right represents the interweaving of the ohana with the roses, giving greater significance for the ohana.

My own grandmother Mary Kahula’okalei’opu’u Rose came to mind while painting this and as I write, my mother Pauline Kaohunani comes to mind as well. I miss them so much that for me, “Love Beyond Measure” has also become my tribute to both of them.

Omigoodness - It's Been Awhile

These two commissioned paintings is why I haven't posted for a while. My granddaughter is the little ballerina and her cousin. The pose of my granddaughter has been so endearing to family members that her uncle asked that I do one for him. He was very specific about the background color.

Now it is on to other things. Thanks so much for visiting.

The Prodigal - Completed

I've signed all three paintings...YAY!!! Just have to frame them...which I will have to build myself or maybe get my son to do it, then it will be ready for the show. I didn't think I would be able to do it as I envisioned, but I am pleased with the finished product. I wish I could've gotten a better photo.

Progress on The Prodigal II

My last progress posting was on June 22nd, so I think I am overdue for another post. I've been working every available moment on this piece and I'm seeing substantial progress...I feel good about that. I do; however, have a long list of what has to be done and then some.



If you have any comments, don't hesitate to voice them. I can always use constructive criticism.

Thanks so much for coming by.

Lokelani

Progress on The Prodigal

A quick post to show my progress on this piece. To get the history of this piece, go here. Because of the time factor and work involved, I'm first concentrating on "The Prodigal Son" and "The Patient Father" panels so that if something happens and I can't finish the last piece of this triptych, "The Pouting Brother" I will still have these two to present. I messed up the tree so am working to correct that right now, but needed a break from painting so thought I would update you.

BTW...the father is still in underpainting. Will be adding color shortly, I hope.



More to come later. Thanks for visiting and if you have any critiques...I'm open to that.

Thanks again.

The Prodigal

Oh my goodness, it has been quite a while since I’ve posted here…my apologies. It has been so busy that I can barely keep up with daily goings on. I was reminded to blog as a result of the fact that I am embarking (have already) on a project, which to me is huge.

I have been invited to again participate in the annual Art Exhibition and Sale of the Nashville First Baptist Church (that’s Tennessee). Last year I participated with my entry of “Take This Cup” in the amateur division. For this piece I was awarded a Purchase Award, which included a cash award. This is that piece.



The theme this year is “The Return of the Prodigal.” There are three categories. Firstly is “The Prodigal,” then “The Patient Father,” and lastly “The Pouting Brother.” Entrants were invited to submit in individual or all categories. Since receiving the invitation, my first thought was a triptych, but because of the work required I tried to come up with something else. However, nothing else would come to mind. So it looks like I will be submitting to all three by doing a triptych. Ambitious? I would say so, but I think inspired because of the fact that I could not think of any other composition. It seemed as though, I needed to visually portray the entire story. The other evening I was looking hard at what I’ve created so far and the thought came to mind…”this is the story Jesus told.” That thought in itself was inspiring.

Because they didn’t know who or what The Prodigal Son was all about, my grandchildren asked about my sketches. So using my sketches, I told them the story that Jesus told as tax collectors, sinners, Pharisees and teachers of the law were gathering around him to hear what he was saying. How awesome is that? Here is the unfinished pencil sketch on canvas that I will be submitting…



The plan was to create each segment of the story to stand alone, but together, the entire story is told. I hope what I have done thus far, accomplishes that. Sorry about the quality of the photo. The size of the side canvases is 15x30, while the center canvas is 22x30. I’m sure you can tell by looking, who is who. The only canvas ready for paint is “The Patient Father” Thank goodness the deadline is August, because I have a long, long way to go.

Although I am intimidated by this project and the fact that I have to submit as a professional this year, it will happen.

I will post my progress periodically. Thanks so much for visiting.

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Cheekwood

Along with a group of friends, I visited the Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art in Nashville, Tennessee. The day was perfect for walking through gardens and the displays were magnificent. In celebration of their 50th anniversary, the museum had on exhibit 40 paintings and four sculptures works from The American Impressionists in the Garden, works of art from Faberge’ (housed in a special room with a guard on duty), and the focus of the tour - magnificent pieces of art by the world famous glass artist Dale Chihuly. Chihuly’s pieces were also installed within the nature landscapes and the blending was amazing - man-made work intertwined in nature.

























These are just a few of the glass sculptures. I would’ve loved to take photos of the paintings; however, the museum only allowed photographing of Chihuly’s pieces.

All in all, it was a wonderful day and seeing the art up close and personal was great.