Thursday, January 24, 2013

The Birth of Hawaii

How`s that for a grandiose title? I haven`t even been there yet! This is a test run of a new watercolor block I will take on my trip, a long narrow shape.
I`ve been researching paintings of Hawaii online and most are, in a word, garish. I`m curious if this is an accurate depiction of the color or the exuberance of the artist? Probably both. Usually I don`t paint when I travel because it`s so time consuming but I`m taking my stuff this trip.
watermedia on paper 6"x18"

7 comments:

Celeste Bergin said...

haha...the title is good and I must agree about paintings from Hawaii..they are usually a bit much! I'll be tuned in to see if you can "tone it down" or not! I've been to Hawaii twice, but I didn't paint then. Love Hawaii... you will too!

Maureen said...

Your comment about the title makes me laugh.

Whatever you bring home will not, I think it's safe to say, be garish. Intense, perhaps.

Jo Reimer said...

I've seen the same thing... lots of clear color. But then the flowers of Hawaii are bright, clear colors, as is the sun. I've noticed the same thing in other climates where the skies are sunny and the temp is high. Mexico, south Texas, Fiji.. clear, bright, hot.. with overall feeling of strong visuals without much gray anywhere.
Find a gallery there where you can sell future hot paintings!

Gary L. Everest said...

Hi Randall,
I have to agree with you about most of the Hawaii paintings I've seen. Garish is the nicest thing one can say about them.
It haunts me, 'cause we're only 43-days away from the arrival of the movers to collect the few items we're taking there.
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little scared that living there might turn me into a tourist hawking crap painter.
I guess if I keep working with portraiture, I may avoid the trap.
Time will tell.
Sincerely,
Gary.

RH Carpenter said...

Oh, yes, good title! You will enjoy the colors, the shapes, the smells, the moisture in the air, the road trips. I'll look forward to seeing your take on the landscape. It is bright, warm, sunny, colorful, and a bit overwhelming (perhaps why paintings are a bit garish - you need time to acclimate and see). Have a wonderful trip!

Sarah Bachhuber Peroutka said...

I'm curious to find out what you think about painting while traveling.

kate said...

Well ALOHA to you! I love the bright colors. It's just part of the spirit of Hawaii. Let it take you up up and away. Sometimes garish is just joy on a support. I also love the music although before I spent much time there I didn't get it at all.