In 1939 Georgia O'Keeffe spent three months in Hawaii on assignment to paint pineapples for Dole. While she never got around to the pineapples she was inspired by the beauty of the islands.
“If my painting is what I have to give back to the world for what the world gives to me, I may say that these paintings are what I have to give at present for what three months in Hawai‘i gave to me.”
An American Place exhibition statement 1940
It is possible to have an O'Keeffe inspiration each time we drive from Lanikai to Honolulu on the Pali Highway. The mountains in O'Keefee's Papaya Tree - Iao Valley are very similar to the green cliffs of the Koolau range.
O'Keeffe continued her exploration of flowers in Hawaii. While in New Mexico she painted many versions of the White Trumpet Flower.
Her close focus on the reproductive parts could be called flower pornography.
Her work has inspired many artists. I have used the macro feature of my new camera to focus details of our Hawaiian landscape.
Kathleen spotted a small light blue koali awa behind our house. I took a close up photograph and created a digital watercolor image.
Click on the kaoli awa for a larger view.
An American Place exhibition statement 1940
It is possible to have an O'Keeffe inspiration each time we drive from Lanikai to Honolulu on the Pali Highway. The mountains in O'Keefee's Papaya Tree - Iao Valley are very similar to the green cliffs of the Koolau range.
O'Keeffe continued her exploration of flowers in Hawaii. While in New Mexico she painted many versions of the White Trumpet Flower.
Her close focus on the reproductive parts could be called flower pornography.
Her work has inspired many artists. I have used the macro feature of my new camera to focus details of our Hawaiian landscape.
Kathleen spotted a small light blue koali awa behind our house. I took a close up photograph and created a digital watercolor image.
Click on the kaoli awa for a larger view.
We worked together to adjust the image so that the light and reflected light pull your eye into the depth of the flower.
Kaoli awa is a native Hawaiian morning glory that has been used for medicinal purposes.
Kaoli awa is a native Hawaiian morning glory that has been used for medicinal purposes.
