Working with Wood
I love incorporating the natural grain of the wood into my work, whether it’s birds, Twigglings (tree people) or portraits. I am currently working on a series: Root Essence which is all about naturalizing art for those that have a harder time accepting their bodies and selves through seeing their reflections in tree form.
Hope Oil on plywood and wood burning “Against the cold, bleak chill of loss, may we stand strong, roots dug deep and hopes held high”.
Guardians Oil on plywood and wood burning “We are rooted deep in our ancestors. Their wisdom becomes our learning, their hopes, our dreams”.
Winds Oil on plywood and wood burning “Winds have their rhythm. We have roots to stay strong against the storms, supple branches to bend in the gales and leaves to enjoy the breezes ”.
Ember Alex Stitt: Oil on Koa wood, mixed media and ʻōhiʻai wood base Schaefer Portrait Challenge 2022 Maui Art & Cultural Center “We become one with what we create.”
Ember (Back) Alex Stitt: Oil on Koa wood, mixed media and ʻōhiʻai wood base
Ember (close-up) Alex Stitt: Oil on Koa wood, mixed media and ʻōhiʻai wood base
Kaliko 12'x36'
Kalikolehua Kanaele with portrait of Kaliko
Portrait of Patrick Sarsfield, sideview: oil on Koa wood, metal spring and wood burning
Portrait of Patrick Sarsfield: oil on Koa wood, metal spring and wood burning
Patrick Sarsfield and Adare along with his portrait
"I have alway adored Adare’s work. I have had their prints on my walls for years. Intoxicating, vibrant, walk-off-the-walls images. I stare at them and get lost in the wonder of it. But to have the privilege of working with them as a subject? I was so nervous, thinking I would be on display. It couldn’t have been more different. It was so comfortable, an instant partnership and conversation, a collaboration that just became more interesting and wild the longer it went on. We went to new and amazing places together, and the journey was just as precious and unique as the finished masterpiece that Adare created".
Sun Catcher ʻAmakihi (Hawaiian honeycreeper): Oil on Milo wood with fossilized wood, metallic pigment, wood burning and copper stand “This Honeycreeper feels the movement of the winds through her wings, the warmth of the sun on her back and the ʻāina under her sharp toes. She reminds us that we are more than just our feathers”.
Reaching for Sun Chinese Orchid (Bauhinia Variegata) Oil on Koa wood and copper stand “Be gentle with yourself”
Dayton ʻio (Baby Hawaiian Hawk): Oil on Koa wood “This little one has a kind ear for compassion.“
Lenard: oil on Koa wood
Leoni: oil on Koa wood
Merek: oil on Koa wood
Barnaby: oil on Koa wood
Beachcomber ʻElepaios (Monarch Flycatcher): Oil on Milo wood, mixed media, wood burning and copper stand “This little beachcomber helps find lost things and gathers what is needed".
Alala 5x2
Tomas: oil on Koa wood
Nourishing Moments Hawaiʻi ʻAkepa (Hawaiian honeycreeper): Oil on Milo wood, wood burning and copper stand “This ʻAkepa takes pause for nourishment, for substance and for self-preservation. Sometimes the best thing we can do is just take care of ourselves”.
Spencer (triplets): oil on Koa wood
My Stick ʻAlalā (Hawaiian Crow):mOil on Koa wood “The first ʻAlalā to use a stick for furthering their food adventures must have looked very strange to the other ʻAlalās, until that is that stick worked and they became well fed. How we do things isn't always the traditional or "normal" way and yet, when we strive for something new it often comes with great benefits . This proud ʻAlalā reminds you to be inventive.”
Max & Maurice Rosy-Faces Lovebirds: Oil on Koa wood “Hidden in the tall grass, Max and Maurice are always close by. They remind each other and us that we're all just a good chirp away, no matter the distance“.
Peekaboo Gold Dust Day Gecko: Oil on Koa wood “Let curiosity and wonder lead the way”.
Bennett: oil on Koa wood
Friendship Rosy-Faces Lovebird: Oil on Koa wood “No matter how close or far we are, this little fluffball reminds us that we are all under the same sun and we are a thought, and a chirp away".
Flufferton ʻio (Baby Hawaiian Hawk): Oil on Milo wood, mixed media, and copper stand “Quizzical, playful and cute...but watch the claws”.
Sun Blast ʻAmakihi (Hawaiian honeycreeper): Oil on Milo wood, mixed media, metal work and metallic pigment “Sometimes you need to make your own sun, your own energy, be your own force. This driven ʻAmakihi weaves those many different threads together”.
Oranges Taste like the Sun! Gold Dust Day Gecko: Oil on Koa wood “Enjoy life! Enjoy life! Enjoy life! And then have something yummy to eat, taste all the good things and lick them to make sure that you're actually tasting them! That's how you enjoy life by tasting it, cuz everything has a taste! So start tasting life”!
Beatrix ‘I‘iwi (Scarlet Honeycreeper): Oil on Koa wood with copper stand “She reminds us that even if we are tired, it's in our gardens and amongst nature that we can feel revived and nourished“.
Gertrude: oil on Koa wood
Wilber: oil on Koa wood
Percy (triplets): oil on Koa wood
Creating Universes
Honu's Rest (Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle): Oil on Koa wood “Listen to the silence, be still and breath the beauty that is around you”.
Sun Spiral ‘Amakihi (Hawaiian Honeycreeper): Oil on Milo wood with wood burning, copper wire, modeling acrylic, mica and Koa wood spiral “This lil honeycreeper feels the warmth on their beak and the breeze through their feathers. They pause in this perfect moment”.
Up Down Right Around, No Matter! ‘Apapane (Hawaiian honeycreeper): Oil on Milo wood and wood burning This piece of art can be turned any which way and the happy ‘Apapane won't be bothered in the slightest. “no matter, It's all good”.
Homelessness Hawaii amakihi: Oil on Koa wood, axe handle and lava rock for base
Reflections Chestnut Munia (Lonchura atricapilla) Introduced Oil on Milo wood and wood burning bowl turning by Aaron Hammer SALE $225 #5 Nesting Series “This lil Munia reminds us to see our true self through the murkiness of situations.”
Nesting 'Elepaio (Chasiempis sandwichensis) Endemic Oil on Milo wood and wood burning bowl turning by Aaron Hammer SALE $225 #3 Nesting Series “The lil 'Elepaio contemplates their dreams, hatching the future.”
Contemplation Yellow-billed Cardinal (Paroaria capitata) Introduced Oil on Milo wood and wood burning bowl turning by Aaron Hammer SALE $225 #4 Nesting Series “Sometimes the best thing to do is to sit and contemplate your dreams. Keep them warm and give them attention until they hatch.”
All Heart ʻElepaio (Chasiempis sandwichensis) Endemic Oil on Milo wood and wood burning bowl turning by Aaron Hammer Photo by Francis Joy SALE $340 #2 Nesting Series “The lil ʻElepaio Feels the warmth of the sun on their feathers and a chirp in their heart.”
Slow Steps Chestnut Munia (Lonchura atricapilla) Introduced Oil on Milo wood and wood burning bowl turning by Aaron Hammer $275 $225 #5 Nesting Series “This lil Munia reminds us to see our true self through the murkiness of situations.”
Doorway to the Mysteries 'Elepaio (Chasiempis sandwichensis) Endemic Oil on ___wood, wood burning and mixed media Photo by Francis Joy SALE $275 #5 Doorway Series “This cautious 'Elepaio whispers for us to look for the large (and not so large) mysteries behind every door.”
Joyful ʻAlalā; The Hawaiian Crow (Corvus Hawaiiensis) Endemic Oil on Koa wood and wood burning SALE $850 #46 Feathered Friends “With the universe in their feathers and a radiant glow surrounding them, this happy ʻAlalā reminds us to cherish every flower and bloom that blossoms on your tree.”
How Are You? ‘Io; baby Hawaiian Hawk (Buteo solitarius) Endemic Oil on Milo wood Photo by Bob Nims SALE $550 #43 Feathered Friends “This baby 'Io is just checking in on you, letting you know you're not alone and the sun will always find a way to shine.”
Journeying Onward Saffron Finch (Sicalis flaveola) The Hawaiian red ginger plant (Alpinia purpurata) Introduced Oil on Koa wood and wood burning SALE $245 for each #48 Feathered Friends “This lil one chirps for us to see the bigger forrest from the trees.” Looking Forward 'I'iwi; Hawaiian Honeycreeper (Vestiaria coccinea) māmane(Sophora chrysophylla) Endemic Oil on Koa wood and wood burning Photo by Francis Joy SALE $245 for each #49 Feathered Friends “This lil 'I'iwi Is always looking forward, seeing the beauty all around them.”
Doorway to Many Journeys ʻElepaio (Chasiempis sandwichensis) Endemic Oil on ___wood, wood burning and mixed media Photo by Francis Joy SALE $275 #4 Doorway Series “This lil 'Elepaio loves to travel and has collected many stories along the way; they give you the gift of flight through this door.”
My Shiny ʻAlalā; The Hawaiian Crow (Corvus Hawaiiensis) Endemic Oil on Koa wood and wood burning with with Amethyst SALE $225 #44 Feathered Friends “This Colorful ʻAlalā; reminds us to protect what is precious within us and be our brilliant, vibrant self.”
Universal Nesting Hawaiian ‘Amakihi; Hawaiian Honeycreeper (Chlorodrepanis virens) Endemic Oil on _____ wood and wood burning Photo by Bob Nims SALE $750 #47 Feathered Friends “These contented ‘Amakihi have nestled down into the flow of the universe, sending out ripples of connection.”
Doorway to the Self 'I'iwi; Hawaiian Honeycreeper (Vestiaria coccinea) Endemic Oil on ___wood, wood burning and mixed media Photo by Francis Joy SALE $275 #2 Doorway Series “This wise I''iwi opens the door to the self knowledge and steadfast determination.”
Doorway to Clarity 'Apapane (Himatione sanguinea) Endemic Oil on ___wood, wood burning and mixed media Photo by Francis Joy SALE $275 #1 Doorway Series This lil 'Apapane opens the door to balanced caution and optimism with the joy of reflection.”
YES! House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) Introduced Oil on Koa wood and wood burning SALE $190 #45 Feathered Friends “This sure footed sparrow has you stepping into your future fully and proudly.”