Figurative Paintings

Promises and Secrets Within

This mystery woman peers out from within us, quiet and confident in her wisdom. She is delighted with the many promises and secrets she holds for us. They are all there for us to find — if we will look with our heart instead of our eyes.
Find her within you. Chase her, run with her, play with her, and you will discover all the delights the world has to offer you.

Image Size: 22"Hx30"W

Unframed Price: $2,100.

Framed Price: $2,400.

Pinching Pennies

Pinching Pennies, we have all heard this phrase. Now you can see it for yourself. One hand appears to be providing a penny, ready to give it to another. The other hand holds on tight, not willing to let go. Let us remember that when we give, we also receive.

Framed in Solid Koa: SOLD

Me, Me, Pick Me!

For those of us who long to be SEEN as the wonderful person we are inside.

Image Size: 30"Hx11"W

Not for Sale, Fine-art Giclées and Laser Prints are available. Please check the shop for more information.

Spirit of the Land

This painting is part of my Oracle Series. Oracles were once sought out as a source of wisdom and advice. All of my paintings teach me something about myself and about life in general. It is my hope that they will also inspire you to learn something more about yourself and your life.

My initial intention for this painting was one of giving thanks, but as often happens, the painting had greater ideas. Spirit of the Land came forth with a calm intensity all her own. Some have called her Pele as they watched her hair flow into the creation of the land. No matter who she represents, she has had a mind of her own in this painting process. For this, and for so much more, let us give thanks.

Image Size: 22.5"Hx30"W

Price: Unframed $3,300; Framed in Solid Koa $3,600

Available as Open-edition matted Laser Prints: 8"x10"=$20; 11"x14"=$34; 16"x20"=$60

Available as Hand-enhanced, Limited-edition Giclée: 19"x15.5" for $295; 26.5x34 for $495

How to Squeeze Blood from a Turnip

You have probably heard the phrase “…like squeezing blood from a turnip”. Did you ever stop to think about what it might look like to squeeze blood from a turnip? Or how silly the thought of doing so really is?

The idea of being frugal is quite in vogue these days. Hopefully my image of this American colloquialism will bring a smile to your face. It certainly was a fun image/idea to paint!

We live in a melting pot of cultures. This is especially true in Hawai‘i; and as the world continues to shrink, it is increasingly true everywhere else. Therefore it’s fun to think about the images our words can create, and to choose our words accordingly...or at least to think about the word pictures our words are creating!

Image Size: 15"Hx22"W

Rockin' Shaka

The “shaka” sign is a common greeting gesture, often associated with Hawai‘i. It consists of extending the thumb and smallest finger while keeping the three middle fingers curled, and raising the hand as in salutation with the back of the hand facing the person that is being greeted; sometimes the hand is rotated back and forth to emphasize the sign.

Hawaiian locals use the shaka for various meanings, like “all right”, “cool”, “smooth”, etc. In California, the symbol itself is more commonly called the “hang loose” sign. The Shaka sign is also used to convey what locals in Hawai‘i call the “Aloha Spirit”, a gesture of friendship and understanding between the various ethnic cultures that reside within Hawai‘i.

The shaka sign resembles the American Sign Language for the letter “Y”, where a fist is also made with only the thumb and smallest finger extended.

The sign is often followed by waving as a greeting or acknowledgement. It can be used when driving as a signal of thanks to other drivers (for example, it is given to someone who stopped to let another driver onto the road from a driveway or in merge situations).
—From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This shaka is moving; rocking back and forth to further prove its heartfelt sentiment. “Right on!” “Way to go!” “You rock!”

Image Size: 11"Hx15"W; Framed Size: 16"Hx20"W

Framed in solid Koa: 16"Hx20"W; $695

Tree Diva

The trees in Hawai‘i are so very sculptural, I often see figures in their trunks and branches. Even as a child I envisioned the trees as people, in fact I painted one in high school. She didn’t look anything like this. This is my first watercolor tree diva (spirit). The movement of the wind in her branches is matched by the twisting of her torso as she stretches out. Feel her spirit move and allow her to stay with you throughout the day…for inspiration…for stability…for movement…for growth. You choose.

Original has been SOLD. Image is available as 20"x8" matted laser print for $34

Available as 34"x16" Hand-enhanced, Limited-edition Giclée print (image is 30"x13" with a white border) $295

Enveloping the Sun

This tree spirit is enveloping the sun within her branches. Perhaps she is honoring it, certainly she is loving and appreciating it. Perhaps she can bring the sun to you on days when it feels absent. Feel her spirit move and allow her to stay in your thoughts throughout the day.

Image size: 22.5"x15"

Original Watercolor has been SOLD.

Available as an Open-edition laser print: 8x10=$20; 11x14=$34; 16x20=$60

Available as a 26.5"x19" Hand-enhanced, Limited-edition Giclée on watercolor paper for $295; on gallery-wrapped canvas for $525

Reaching for the Moon

This painting is part of my Oracle Series. Oracles were once sought out as a source of wisdom and advice. All of my paintings teach me something about life. It is my hope that they will also inspire you in your life. The trees in Hawai‘i are so very sculptural, I often see figures in their trunks and branches. Even as a child I envisioned the trees as people.

Night is falling and the branches of this tree spirit are reaching for the moon; the energy of the moon can be very powerful. This image celebrates the power of both the moon and of the trees. Perhaps tonight would be a good time for you to spend time with a favorite tree and with the moon. Go outside, sit near your special tree, gaze quietly at the moon, and listen for your own personal message.

Image Size: 30"Hx9.75"W

Original Watercolor has been SOLD.

Available as Open-edition Matted Laser Print: 20"x8" $34

Available as Limited-edition Giclée Print: 33"Hx13"W $295

The Earth is My Body, My Head is in the Stars

This impetus for this tree spirit, and its title, comes from one of my favorite movies, Harold and Maude. The wonderful actress, Ruth Gordon, spoke this line while planting a tree in the forest. Her character, both on- and off-screen, is an inspiration to me, reminding me to plant myself firmly on the ground while looking above and beyond myself for inspiration. May you find inspiration within her branches.

Image Size: 22.5"Hx15"W

Original Watercolor Available: unframed $2,100; framed in solid Koa $2,500.

Available as an Open-edition laser print: 8x10=$20; 11x14=$34; 16x20=$60

Available as a 26.5"x19" Hand-enhanced, Limited-edition Giclée on watercolor paper for $295

Tree of Life: Embrace

The trees in Hawai‘i are so sculptural, I often see figures in their trunks as I drive down the streets or walk through the parks. Seeing figures in trees is not new to me, painting them is. This is the first time I have painted the spirit of a couple in the tree. May their form remind you of the love in your life and bring it to the forefront for both of you.
Painting Size: 30"Hx22"W

Original Watercolor Available: unframed $3,000; framed in solid Koa $3,600.

Available as an Open-edition laser print: 8x10=$20; 11x14=$34; 16x20=$60

Available as a 32"x24" Hand-enhanced, Limited-edition Giclée for $495

Spirit of the Dance

This painting is part of my Oracle Series. Oracles were once sought out as a source of wisdom and advice. All of my paintings teach me something about myself and my life. It is my hope that they will also lead you to learning something about yourself and your life.

Ancient Hula, known as Kahiko Hula, is the style that was performed before Western encounters with Hawai‘i. It is accompanied by chant and traditional instruments. This is the hula performed by the oracle in this painting. Filled with the Spirit of the Dance, her movement is fluid, her energy palpable. Feel her sway to her own inner rhythm. If you are willing to move along with her, she can transport you to a place of inner peace.

Image Size: 22.5"Hx30"W

Original is SOLD

Available as Open-edition matted Laser Prints: 8"x10"=$20; 11"x14"=$34; 16"x20"=$60

Available as Hand-enhanced, Limited-edition Giclée: 19"x15.5" for $295; 26.5x34 for $495

Grounded Yet Growing

The trees in Hawai‘i are so sculptural, I imagine seeing figures in their trunks and branches. This tree spirt is reaching for the sky while staying firmly planted in the ground. Grounded Yet Growing; one needs a strong foundation in order to reach out and continue to grow though life.

Feel her grounded spirit move and allow her to stay with you throughout the day…for inspiration…for stability…for movement…for growth.

Original Watercolor has been SOLD.

Laser Prints available, Mat sizes: 8x10=$20; 11x14=$34; 16x20=$60

Attitude — You've Got to Have it!

The trees in Hawai‘i are so sculptural, I often imagine seeing figures in their trunks and branches. This tree spirit is patterned after the Royal Poinciana Trees lining the streets of Honolulu. She is so sure of herself she appears to be pushing back the Ko‘olau Mountains. No one, not even a mountain range, is going to tell her how to live her life!

Sometimes life feels easy. Other times, it can be a whirl of decisions, one right after another. When life begins to get you down, reach inside for a little more inner attitude. Remember that you have all of the answers you are seeking inside yourself. Then remember to frame your questions in a new way. Sometimes asking a question of wonder will change the answer you receive. For example: “What would happen if…” can be a great beginning to your quest.
Image size: 15"Hx11"W

Original Watercolor Available: unframed $725; framed in solid Koa $850. To purchase, send an email: Patrice@artofaloha.com

Available as an Open-edition laser print: 8x10=$20; 11x14=$34; 16x20=$60

Pono

Ancient Hula, known as Kahiko Hula, is the style that was performed before Western encounters with Hawai‘i. It is accompanied by chant and traditional instruments. This is the hula performed by the oracle in this painting.

Pono means a lot of things in the Hawaiian language: goodness, uprightness, morality, excellence, true condition or true nature.... Here we see the true nature of calm stillness amidst the movement of the dance, the movement of life. Let us all remember to nurture that place of inner peace and calm that is always within us — even on the days filled with movement and chaos.
Original Watercolor: 22"Hx30"W; framed in solid Koa $3,600.

Available as an Open-edition laser print: 8x10=$20; 11x14=$34; 16x20=$60

Available as hand-enhanced, Limited-edition giclée prints, 15x22 = $295; 22x30 = $495.

I Dreamed I Found a Garden in My Hair

The tree in this piece is a Tulip tree I pass on my way to the studio at least three times a week. For months I had wanted to paint her, but couldn’t quite come up with the right form. Finally one day as I approached her, a title popped into my head: “I Found a Garden in My Hair”. Later, when I sketched her out, I felt a figure was needed at her base and the title changed to incorporate her as well.

Now this piece is about dreaming and making our dreams a reality. What are you dreams today? What were they yesterday? Are you in the process of making them reality? They can be. Dreams sustain us and it is up to us to assist in making them our reality. Dream on…and then create the life you want to live.

Original Watercolor: 30"Hx15"W has been SOLD.

Available as an Open-edition laser print: 8x20=$35; Available as Hand-enhanced, Limited-edition Giclée print on watercolor paper = $295.