Orchid Painting In Progress

I've been working on this acrylic painting yesterday and this morning. When it is finished, I am planning to enter it into the "Orchid Fantasy" Art Show sponsored by the Kaua`i Orchid and Art Festival (March 27 & 28, 2009) at various locations in Hanapēpē. I will also be teaching a watercolor art class under the tents across the street from the Hanapepe Post Office. We will, of course, be painting...ORCHIDS! This class will be on Saturday, March 28, from 10am-1pm. All materials are included for a fee of $30. Class is limited to eight students.

Aloha and Have a Creative Day,
Marionette

Watercolor Class - Works in Progress

On the first and third Tuesday of the month, I teach a watercolor class at the beautiful Waimea Plantation Cottages from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Look at the lovely paintings these students have created of the cottages! It is always a fun class in a very peaceful, colorful environment! Many Mahalos to the staff at the Waimea Plantation Cottages for hosting my classes!!

Marionette's Art Class Schedule

The Hawaiian Monk Seal

After visiting the National Tropical Botanical Gardens in Lawai, my friend, Schar and I ate lunch at Brennecke's and decided to go for a walk on the beach and came across this gorgeous Hawaiian Monk Seal! I was just telling her how I have never been able to get a "good" picture of one. I am satisfied now!

So, what's the fuss all about? Well, Hawaiian Monk seals are one of the most endangered species of seals on the earth. They are currently listed as "critically endangered" and live mainly in the small atolls of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. However, a few find their way to Kauai every so often, and they are greeted with open arms! Because they are so endangered, a section of the beach is roped off with warning signs that tell not to touch or come to close to the seals. When a mother just gives birth to a pup, we must give them lots of room. If they are disturbed in any way, then the mother will abandon the pup, and the pup will most likely die from malnutrition. The mother is it's sole source of food until it gets big enough to feed on its own.

I just love them because they are so cute and fun to watch. Check out my video below to see him in action! Mahalo to Ray and Bucky for providing the music for the video!

Little Red Cottage

A few weeks ago I was looking for some great embellishments for my Valentine's Day Card Making Workshops (next one is on Saturday, Feb. 14 from 11am-1pm at my studio, Painting Paradise in Waimea, Kauai) and decided to go shopping on Etsy (my favorite place to purchase supplies and handmade goods). I came across this adorable store www.littleredcottage.etsy.com after visiting her blog www.mylittleredcottage.blogspot.com . The owner is Michele Reed and she had exactly what I needed! Hearts, of course, and lots of cool looking papers!

Well, last week Schar www.scharart.etsy.com and I made some really fun cards and coupon books for Valentine's Day using the supplies I bought from Michele. We had a blast!! She even featured some of our creations on her very own blog, http://mylittleredcottage.blogspot.com/2009/02/kauaiartistetsycoms-valentines-day.html. Thank you Michele for the wonderful article!!!

If you are looking for scrapbook embellishments, scrapbook paper, acrylic stamps, handmade mini albums, handmade cards, stamping art kits, buttons, ribbons, and more, please visit Michele's Etsy Shop at www.littleredcottage.etsy.com! She is such a joy and pleasure to do business with.

Here are a few more of our creations. The top one is a beautiful Valentine made by Schar and the bottom one is a book of "Love" Coupons made by yours truly! (Can't wait to give it to my sweetie pie!) ;-)

My First WWAO Exhibition!

WWAO (Worldwide Women Artists Online) is a wonderful group of women artists that I belong to! Once a month a fellow member hosts a "show" on their website or blog. This month Jean Hood is hosting the show with a theme of "flow". Please check out this amazing exhibit on Jean's website. She also featured my piece "Strolling Maha'ulepu" on her blog:

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Here is one of my favorite pieces from Jean, titled, "Echinacea in Pink". You can purchase it at her lovely Etsy shop, http://www.jeanhood.etsy.com/.

Echinacea in Pink by Jean Hood

A Big MAHALO to Jean for putting this beautiful exhibit together!

WWAO Exhibit

A Sneak Peak Into my Watercolor Class!

Yesterday I had such a wonderful group of ladies for my Friday watercolor class, that I wanted to share with you their creations in progress. I went around the room and captured these images as they were about half way done with their paintings. Many of them were absolute beginners!

Thank you ladies for letting me share your beautiful creations!

I teach watercolors every Wednesday from 9am-12pm and

Fridays from 11am-2pm.

You don't need to know how to draw and beginners are welcome!

Aloha,

Marionette

Art Class Schedule

Website

Etsy Shop

Love Will Keep Us Together (Part II of my Valentine's Day Post)

I had such a fun time with my Valentine's Day post, I decided to add a few more art pieces from my VAST teammates. I asked each of them to tell us, "What does Valentine's Day mean to you?"

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http://www.sojournquilts.etsy.com/

Janyce - "My BF and I have been together 11 years and Valentine's Day isn't a big deal for us. We make it a point to celebrate each other in small ways every day of the year...not just on holidays. I will probably get myself a box of chocolates, though! :0)"

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http://www.lilypang.etsy.com/

Lily - 1. What does Valentine's Day mean to you? "It makes me think about love more and really cherish what I have." 2. How do you plan to celebrate Valentine's Day? "I don't celebrate Valentine's Day with my husband usually. But I use this opportunity to connect to my friends via SMS or gathering." 3. Tell me about the love of your life. "First my family. Art is the second love of my life."

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http://www.juliebcreative.etsy.com/

Julie - "Valentine's Day to me, is really a day where you dedicate time to spend with the one you love. I don't think presents or gifts are necessary...just a day where you put everything else aside. My plan for Valentines Day? Some friends are having a belated Chinese New Years celebration, so we're going to spend it with friends! I met the love of my life 11 years ago, my freshman year at Roger Williams University. He lived 2 dorm rooms down from me and he made fun of the RA at the first hall-meeting...so I knew at that point, I would make him mine! We now live in Rhode Island with our doggie and everyday of my life, he makes me feel like it's that first day of college all over again."

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http://www.breadandcircuses.etsy.com/

Evie - "Valentine's Day reminds me that I only ever once sent a card when I was 16. It was a joyful feeling I got imagining how 'he' would react when he opened the card. It is one of the happiest celebrations in the year destined to make us all feel loved and treasured."

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http://www.greenislandstudios.etsy.com/

Jo - "To me Valentines day is a day to give (and receive) a homemade card and hand made gift to my husband of 10 years. We have a tradition of sitting down to a home cooked Italian meal, with fine Italian wine, candles, conversation and music, all in front of our roaring log fire in our Cornish seaside cottage. We like to push the boat out with a multi course meal Italian Style because we lived in Italy when we got decided to wed and we had our wedding in Tuscany with all of our Italian friends and our family flew in from the UK and Africa to join us."

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http://www.anitrabear.etsy.com/

Anitra - What does Valentine's Day mean to you? "Lot's and Lot's of Chocolate! When Two Hearts Blend Into One!"

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Aloha from Kauai and Have a Wonderful Valentine's Day!!!
Marionette
http://www.kauaiartist.etsy.com/
http://www.kauai-artist.net/