Inertia might give you the impression I have been idle.
Far from it! But it has been too
long since I last wrote, and SO much has happened since then, that it is hard to know where to begin and where to end. So I will take a page out of the "Nike handbook" and
Just Do It!
What has been happening? Well, Keanu and I were married in a lovely ceremony on a beautiful October day on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan, surrounded by family and good friends. You can see a photo of the two of us on my blog.
I recently finished a series of commissioned paintings for different clients. I will show some of them to you here, but the rest shall remain a secret for little while longer.
The first, a paddler painting, was a challenge because of the shape, the size, and the fact that I had never painted the subject matter before.
I do love a good challenge.
The painting was meant to hang above a door, between two koa paddles.
Originally, the painting was to be horizontal, but after doing a few sketches, it became clear to all parties that it would show best if it were vertical.
Painting a commission is very different from painting whatever is in my heart. It can be interesting, fun, scary, an adventure, and often a real opportunity for growth.
With my Hide-N-Seek method of painting, part of the challenge is for the person requesting the painting to trust that what starts out as the initial wash, will end up looking like something they want to own.
The four florals below were commissioned by a couple who wanted something special for their family room.
Above you see what the client saw as their first peak at the paintings.
Above are the final paintings (currently being framed). You might have noticed the bird of paradise changed significantly. I wasn't satisfied with the first rendition and started fresh. This bird fits the color scheme and flow much better. The color shifts on screen have more to do with the camera than the actual color of the paintings.
I have been working on another new floral (left) of heliconia, and am looking for a title for it. Please let me know if a title comes to mind for this piece.
What does it say to you?
in Manoa (in Honolulu). We all started two paintings, one of which was a honu (turtle). Below is the beginning of the painting.
I have been working on it a bit since class time.
Although it's not quite finished, If you look closely you can see a few small fish keeping the turtle company, and the skin & shell becoming more distinct.
Painting is a journey, both inward and out. So often we want to rush the process. We want to see the finished painting NOW.
Our paintings serve us better, and we serve them better, when we take our time. It pays to put them aside for a day or two to let them rest. We see more when our eyes are fresh and our hands are rested.
How about you? What have you been up to lately? Where in your life do you feel inertia trying to take hold? Where do you feel the need to move some energy?
More importantly, what do you want to do about it?
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Yippee! FREE SHIPPING NOVEMBER is almost here! During the month of November, ALL orders placed through www.artofaloha.com Ship for FREE as my Thanksgiving Gift to YOU.
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The images above are from the Hawai`i Watercolor Society 2012 Commemorative Calendar. 2012 marks the 50th anniversary of HWS. To celebrate we have created an historical calendar filled with award-winning watercolor paintings from our past. These calendars showcase great works by great Hawaiian artists,
and make fabulous gifts! Order yours here.
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My next art fair takes place on Friday, November 11th at the Waldorf School in Honolulu. Please email me for details.
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My Alma Mater, The University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Art seeks a candidate for the following tenure-track position:
Assistant Professor - Ceramics
For the full job announcement and the application procedures see:
They will be accepting applications until January 6, 2012.
This position will start on August 27, 2012.
This university and department are both top notch, as is the city itself. If you are qualified and interested, please check out this opportunity. And by all means, feel free to email any questions you have about living in Madison, WI to me. I highly, highly recommend it!
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Mahalo for taking the time to read this Art of Aloha eZine. If you have a moment, I hope you will share it with a friend either by forwarding it, or by clicking on the Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn buttons at the top.
A Hui Hou,
PS You can find my official page on facebook fan page HERE . Become my online fan by pressing the Like button. "Your time is limited, so don't waste it living some else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma--which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your intuition." ~Steve Jobs
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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