Tropical Inspiration for you from the Big Island

Very happy to be on the Big island of Hawaii again and very happy to report that life is still better at the beach.

It’s still 83F, sunny with cloudy periods,possible showers, an earthquake or two and the possibility of a tsunami. The lava is still flowing but, last I read, all is well. With 8 different ecosystems, mother nature is always up to something here!

For us, as a family, it is time to recharge and get inspired after the winter season in the mountains.

I love discovering new shapes, colours and textures over here. The flora and fauna is so unique and special to the Big Island.I am amazed to still be discovering new buds,seeds and pods after all of my years visiting here.

Always thankful for my big straw hat that spends more time carrying my finds,than on my head. I find it hard to go for a walk or run without picking something up.

Some tropical foliage for your drawing inspiration. Tropical is trending right now. Pineapples, flamingos and large-scale tropical leaves are everywhere.

I have a love on for large tropical leaves. I love any kind of leaf, seed or pod but the more unusual and the bigger, the better.

Sharing some of my favs with you all the way from the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

Beach time sketching..

ONE of these things I will not be using for drawing inspiration. Centipedes, ants and the occasional flying cockroach seem to go hand in hand with the tropics.

Sending some Aloha your way!

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Seeds,pods and a succulent or two

Bringing a little Aloha to you.

Most believe Aloha is just a greeting, but the word is a way of life for most living here on the islands. Here, Aloha is an attitude, guidance towards living  a certain way of life ~ the Aloha spirit.

A, ala, watchful, alertness
L, lokahi, working with unity
O, oia’i’o, truthful honesty
H, ha’aha’a, humility
A, ahonui, patient perseverance

I have written many times about the Big Island of Hawaii. It is one of my favorite places~ a place not too far from home  that has come to be my home away from home.Hawaii makes me feel alive –  a place that feeds the senses and the soul.

Sweeping coastlines, fields of black lava interspersed with green grasses and wonderful flowering trees, sand and sea. Lots of delicious fruit from the tree. The sound of birds.. at all hours of the day and night.Coconut M&M’s.

Island life is good!

One of my favorite pastimes here is early morning runs, camera in hand.These runs are sporadic with many stops along the way  to take a picture or pick up a pod..or two. I often arrive home my hands and  hat full of goodness.
I don’t usually get a lot of creative time here, as life is busy with family and friends, so sometimes a little floral arranging has to be sufficient to feed my fix.

Mother nature has a very humorous side to her on the island. She is quirky and fun-loving. She has created the oddest assortment of seeds and pods to date.

I havent a clue what half of these are called, but you will be happy to know that I finally have a book. Unfortunately, I haven’t had time to open it. Next time…

I have yet to figure out the “seasons’ here, but there is definitely lots of changes in between my visits. While one tree is flowering the next is on its way to hibernation.

This island is so diverse with all of its different ecosystems. I am slowly learning more about it everyday. It’s just so mysterious I keep wanting to come back for more!

Beautiful colors, shapes and textures.Actually, thinking out loud here, I should do a post on all the textures and patterns in nature found here.

Succulents grow very well on the Big island and are in nice contrast to flowering blooms.


I really do love my little bounty. I wish I could bring it all home and share with you…

Signing off with a sunset.Wish you were here!

Finding inspiration in the spirit of aloha

Very happy to be spending time in one of my favorite places, the Big Island of Hawaii.The moment my feet hit the ground here I feel a sense of coming home.

Lush tropical flora and fauna,dark streaks of lava rock, sun, sand, a warm breeze and the neverending sound of birds and crashing waves all come together to feed  the senses and the soul. The Big Island is charged with tradition and culture that reaches deep. This island holds a very special place in our hearts.

I always love to do a post or two from Hawaii. Its a lovely place to share. Lots of inspiration and color.

Mother nature also has a very good sense of humour here. The shapes, color and texture of the flora and fauna are so unusual.I am constantly in awe of some of the crazy things I find.

My goal for this trip ~ lots of computer free time. Time spent observing, drawing and feeling present.

My sense of urgency to do it all ~ designing, blogging #365 patterns ~ slowly takes a back seat to simply living life.

I  will admit I find it very difficult to switch off and it takes more than a few days. I continue to feel like I am missing out on something, but with time I come to my senses and realize that everything I need is right here ~ family, friends, love and life.

Most believe Aloha is just a greeting, but the word is a way of life for most living here on the islands. Here, Aloha is an attitude, guidance towards living  a certain way of life ~ the Aloha spirit.

A, ala, watchful, alertness
L, lokahi, working with unity
O, oia’i’o, truthful honesty
H, ha’aha’a, humility
A, ahonui, patient perseverance

Inspired by…the refresh button

I have just returned from my sunny little world deep down in the Pacific Ocean. I absolutely adore my happy place ~ the Big Island of Hawaii. It is always very bittersweet to leave.
I miss the color, the warm breeze and  the sound of early morning life on the island. I miss all of the unusual flora and fauna, the lava rock and coral. I miss the quality time spent with my friends and family.

I am already counting down the days until I am back there again.

I do love returning home though with fresh eyes and an armful of photos to keep me inspired throughout the long,cold winter months.The snow is starting to fall and I am inspired to make my home my sanctuary for the upcoming winter months. I think lots of color is the answer!

Funny, but here I find myself sitting in my studio paralyzed. I am excited to draw, paint, collage and get my hands dirty, but, for whatever reason, I am feeling a bit overwhelmed. The list of things I want to accomplish is long . I know this feeling – it’s a good feeling, but a state of mind where little really gets accomplished as I busily hop from project to project.

I have come to learn to recognize this feeling and I know exactly what to do…

Just start!

Grab journal paper,paint, markers, crayons~ anything and just get started. No pressure to do anything of any importance but just get the creative juices flowing. Make marks, create texture, play with colors.

Just throw some paint around~ feels so good to get messy.

Lessons learned with every mark.

It’s Art Everyday month ~ Hop on over to Leahs blog for more info on Art Everyday.

See you in a few days!

Inspired by…a hit of sunshine

Relaxed. Refreshed. Rejuvenated.

The Big Island of Hawaii is very much alive. Snow capped mountains, volcanic deserts, waterfalls, black sand beaches and fields of black lava. All of this  interspersed with big, bold colorful flowers and pockets of white sandy beaches and tourquoise water.

A sensory overload. A vast canvas waiting to be explored.

Beautiful, soft shades of green, blue and gray mingle together

Texture. Sand, lava rock, coral, old weathered wood, bamboo

Big, beautiful, bold organic shapes and colors

Fresh, juicy fruit off the tree. Mangoes,Papaya,Starfruit. The unbelievable taste of butter avocado.

The never-ending song of the surf.

I wish I could bottle up all of this goodness for the long winter months ahead.