This was my first time painting the Hanalei Bridge in oils. As the afternoon turned toward evening, the light grew increasingly seductive, washing the scene in warm pink light. I was nervous to paint beside the road, but everyone who passed seemed delighted to see me there, and hollered encouragement as they drove across. Fabulous to receive so much love as I pursue my passion for painting outdoors.
The unmistakable view of Anini Beach—ocean colors glowing above the reef, seen through the trees—came alive under rare, steady afternoon sun. This piece carries a clear influence from Corot’s picturesque landscapes, which continue to shape my approach.
It was one of those rare island days when the light felt alive—and just as miraculous, I found a parking place! Painting on location there often demands simplicity, nature dictates the pace. The brushwork embraces an unforced plein air approach—descriptive enough to evoke place, yet soft enough to let the moment breathe. In that looseness, space opens for the viewer’s own memory and imagination, making the piece as much about personal feeling as landscape.
This piece captures one of Hanalei’s familiar wonders—the passing light rain that sweeps across Laʻau Ridge, trailing rainbows over the bay. Below, the pier is sunlit and alive with people, while the sails of a few boats catch the glitter of afternoon light dancing on the water. Painted from life over multiple visits to the location and later refined in the studio, the work carries both immediacy and contemplation. It is a celebration of shifting weather, island rhythm, and the eternal magic of Hanalei Bay.
Soft and atmospheric, this painting looks out from the cliffs of Princeville across Hanalei Bay toward the dramatic ridges of Makana. Gentle layers of light and color evoke a dreamlike view of the ocean above Hideaways Beach and Pali Ke Kua. A soothing moment held within the trades and rolling surf.
Bask in the warmth of a sunny Kauai day with a print of this original oil painting of Tunnels Beach, where vivid turquoise water meets the striking, sculptural ridge of Makana. The composition captures the interplay of light and shadow across the mountain’s dramatic architecture, inviting a sense of both serenity and awe. A celebration of natural beauty and painterly detail, this piece brings the essence of the North Shore into your home.
A luminous study of Anini Beach, where pearlescent pinks and blues reflect passing showers. The trees along the shore are captured with loose, expressive brushwork, emphasizing their gnarled structure and natural rhythm. It’s a place I return to often—whether to hang a towel or watch my child climb.
The unmistakable Hanalei Pier—seen from the grassy field on the left—soaks in warm sunshine as it reaches into the calm ocean. Sailboats rest peacefully on the water, reflecting the sky’s soft blues, while the iconic profile of Makana (Bali Hai) rises across the bay. A timeless scene of sun light and breezy Hanalei charm.
Painted on location at sunny Secrets Beach, this piece captures cloud shadows drifting over warm sand and steep, sunlit cliffs. Brilliant turquoise water shimmers beneath the rocks, with the Kilauea lighthouse shining at the point. Tide pools glint among come-and-go stones, grounding the scene in the wild, alive beauty of the North Shore.
From the dappled shade of the Kamani trees lining Anini’s shore, this painting captures the serene shallows in sunlit greens and brilliant blues. A bright day unfolds over this favorite snorkeling haven, with peaceful views stretching toward Kilauea.
THIS ARTWORK
This particular work was the culmination of approximately ten visits to the location. Many smaller studies were executed and used as reference for the final image which was worked and reworked en plein air before being finally refined in the studio. I really love the sense of enormous scale and distance that the tropical atmosphere creates. Each visit to this incredible mountain revealed different conditions that themselves deserved to be captured in a painting. I’m already looking forward to painting this mountain again, what an incredible subject!
THE PRINTS
We take excellent care to ensure that the Fine Art Prints of my artworks are accurate and vivid representations of the originals. We print them ourselves using premium, archival inks and papers to ensure they look great and the quality lasts.
Beside the Grand Hyatt in Poipu is a massive lithified sandstone cliff, a favorite subject of mine and a famously tempting place to jump into the sea. On this day, I swam out beneath it, looking back at the warm rock glittering off the water. The cliff reminds me of the old master plein air landscapes of Roman countryside, monumental and sun-worn. I was especially drawn to the distinct turquoise of the water that day, a striking foil to the cobalt blue of the sky.