Aloha!

Hello Bloggy gang. I had such a wonderful time on Kauai. How could one not? It was so lovely, colorful, floral and lush. Everything you hear about it...Is true. Loved it. The Mandala workshop was also fantastic and I am so happy that I went with my mom. She blew me away with her FIRST paintings in her life! See them there? The Buddha and the blue mandala she did while at the retreat. The other picture is some folks from the group wearing three D glasses out teacher gave us to look at each others paintings with. It's a total hoot. They really do look trippy. I recommend it. The painting above is my second painting. I had a good time with it. It's about 40 inches tall.
These retreats are good for me to go to so I am forced to slow down and to really invest in a project. As a mixed media type I am always trying to rush through everything and sort of explode. Having to take the time to do something in onc medium is a good practice for me and I think If I paint more it would be very rewarding. Hawaii also anchored a core belief I've had about my life and it's direction. I simply need to live near the ocean. The tropical, colorful ones. I am buying my Costa Rica trip I have been dreaming about as soon as I return. My goal will be to see if I want to live there. I am ready to sink my teeth into a new country and take my son to a new world. Why not?! (Don't answer that) Getting off the plane and looking around was so sad. Everything looks so grey and so colorless. Even the people here (including me) look so crusty and lifeless after being in the sun and the sea. I want a life where I wake up to roosters and water the garden and paint on the terrace. I'm readdy for that.
But in the meantime I am off to San Francisco in the morning for the Trade Show again. I think it will be a good place to be after coming home. A nice lively city to balance things out. Love to you! See you next week!

Comments

[Kala]

Welcome back, sounds like you had such a good time, I am very jealous!! Your painting as always is gorgeous as are your mum's. Good luck with the trade show!

[suesue]

all i can say is WOW!what a gorgeous picture.

[esquise]

Is sooo good find blogs like yours! Your paintings are great! I'll come back to see more and news:)

[pam]

welcome home! we've missed you. lovely paintings! another week? ok, safe travels and take lots of photos. xoxo

[ArtsyMama]

I don't think you could ever look crusty and lifeless, my dear!! Glad you had a great trip. Your art totally blew me away. I'm sitting here in COLD GRAY Minnesota with pneumonia and your flowers brought a smile to may face. Gorgeous!!!!!!

[kelly]

Oh wow...oh wow oh wow. The colors are luscious...love the depth too.
Your Mom's paintings are amazing!! I can't believe that they're the first that she ever did-amazing.
She should paint more often ;)

[Laura Z]

Your painting is totally awesome!!! What medium did you paint with? Your mom did a fabulous job on her first paintings..beautiful!!

[Lisa]

Welcome back-- oops she's gone again. I've been looking forward to seeing what your painting break would bring! Very cool.
And thank you for the link over there on the left. I know it's brought some visitors to my site.

Hope its going swell in SF...

[gina armfield]

great painting! My mother in law live sin Kauai so we go there all the time - lucky us in fact we are going in April - just love the island it is my favorite - such a spiritual and soothing place. glad you had such an inspiring trip.

[Catalina]

Beauuuuuuuuuuuuuutiful! I love the flowers! and the Mandla is just great!

[Ro Bruhn]

Love your painting. The colour and design are fabulous.

[Marcy]

i love that painting!

keep us up to date on your move to costa rica.... go for it!

[Gypsy Purple--Chamara]

Stunning painting...very very good

Chamara

[Sandy]

I am a Calif girl but lived in Hawaii for a year when I was 20. I absolutely loved it, except for the cost of living of course.

There is just a feeling in the air all the time that I can't explain. (maybe heat & tradewinds, not sure) I am a tropics gal myself & that is where I would LOVE to live as well. Lots of open windows, friendly people, birds flying in & sitting on your table at breakfast, fresh mangoes & papaya! Turquoise clean water. Beautiful fish. I could go on ...

[Marilyn]

I think all of the pieces shown look amazing!

[Vanessa]

Hello, it has been such a long time. You know, you were the inspiration for me jumping into this world. And, I am so glad I did. You with your wonderful words!!! Thank you!

[sharon]

Beautiful!

[*Terramia*]

Oh là là... C'est magnifique!
Your blog is such a delight... (:

[melanie]

wow. seriously i am in love with your painting and all its gorgeous colors. and your mother's paintings as well. her first attempts?! wow, i am indeed impressed. they are marvelous. it is so wonderful you give yourself time to retreat, recharge and take in some beautiful scenery.