Mahalo!This truly is the season for giving thanks, and while the title of this painting is
Spirit of the Land, it feels appropriate to use this image when giving thanks.
My original intention for this painting was to use it for a card of thanksgiving. But while I was painting this piece, the image took on an even greater meaning.
As you know, I often paint at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. While painting this piece, several of the bellmen stopped to chat with me. More than one commented on the energy and spirit of this painting; one called the feeling he got from looking at it "almost Biblical".
Soon the intended purpose for this piece had been overshadowed by the piece itself, and she became known as
Spirit of the Land. This painting truly celebrates the creation of life and of the land itself.
Currently
Spirit of the Land is available as laser and giclée prints. By the end of November, she will also be available as a card, sold in packages of six. For the next month, all card packages are available for $13.
AND because I am so thankful for all of you, I am offering
FREE shipping on all orders through December 4, 2009.
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A very special Mahalo goes out to
Carol L. in PA, Robin S. in CA, Deb M. in OR, Janet D. in OH, Loretta F in WI, Laurel S in NH, and
Tracy H. in UT, for all of the wonderful leaves you sent to me! I have begun to incorporate some of them into my latest painting. Even though the painting is still in progress, you might enjoy watching its evolution.
First, take a look at some of the amazing trees we have in the islands.
Look closely. Both of these photos were taken from different perspectives of the same tree. Once you see the man sitting on the tree roots of the lower photo, you will begin to understand the scale of the sculptural trees we have here in Hawai'i! Is it any wonder my
imagination goes wild?
Watch as the
idea of this sculptural tree is transformed into the painting below.
As you can see in this first image, there isn't much to see when the process begins. If you look very carefully, you will find a few Gingko, Maple, and Japanese Maple leaves scattered throughout the canopy of the tree.
Each painting begins with an idea and perhaps an image in my mind's eye. Once begun, that idea is often "hidden", obscured by the leaves, crepe paper, jute, and other materials layered on the paper before the paint is laid down. Then it is up to me to "seek" out the image and make it visible once more. That is how my process came to be called,
Hide & Seek.
At this stage, I have been working on this painting for several sessions and the figures in the tree trunk are coming into focus.
This photo shows the current state of the painting, it's about two-thirds done. Since it is not yet completed, nor is it titled, this is the perfect time for you to offer your ideas. Please
email me to share your ideas and thoughts for a title. Next month you will see the completed painting along with its title.
The painting is available for advance purchase, and I am taking orders for laser (8"x10", 11"x14", and 16"x20") and giclée prints (15"x22" and 22"x30") that will be filled in early December. To place your order,
click here.
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But wait, there's more! I recently worked with
Steve Katz of Act One Video and his editor Ashley Iaea, to produce my newest video. It was great to work with Steve and I highly recommend him for any video work you want done in the islands. You can see my short video on
YouTube. After you watch it, please comment on it, and share it with all of your friends. Go ahead, tweet it too!
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Once more, Mahalo to each of you, for reading my eZine, for sending in the leaves (I have plenty for now thank you), and for spreading the aloha by sharing this eZine with your friends.
A Hui Hou,
Born in Port Washington, WI and educated at the University of Wisconsin/Madison, Patrice Federspiel first visited Hawai'i in January 2000. Within five months she had found a way to quit her job, sell her home, and move to Hawai'i to paint. 
Patrice Federspiel