Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Mastering The Medium Of Acrylics On Canvas

    Studying the Acrylic on canvas, with having the ability of using my watercolor techniques, the acrylic medium is so much a joy now.
    Long hours of reading and studying the medium I feel I have accomplished this medium very well as to what I want to convey on canvas.
    This piece was painted on three canvases of 10 X30 each to form one painting of the Hana coast in Maui.  I have hiked the Hana Mountains and have so much enjoyed every part of this destination for travel.  I would have to say, that this is my most favorite place on the Hawaiian Islands from an artist point of view.


"Coastal Rain on the Hana Coast"
"Contemporary Art"

Maui’s Hana coast is the tropical side of the island with spectacular waterfalls, tropical
rain forests, and isolated beaches. As with the saying “Life is a journey, not a
destination”, so too is Hana as much of the scenery lies along the long and winding road
in. Hana is the rainy side of the island with over 100 inches of rain a year. While spending
time there I found this generally a pleasant rain and had more than enough sunny days
to spend along the coastal beaches.

Green, tropical Hana is a destination all its own, a small coastal village that's probably what you came to Maui in search of. Here you'll find a rainforest dotted with cascading waterfalls and sparkling blue pools, skirted by red- and black-sand beaches. Beautiful Hana enjoys more than 100 inches of rain a year -- more than enough to keep the scenery lush. Banyans, bamboo, breadfruit trees -- everything seems larger than life in this small town, especially the flowers, such as wild ginger and plumeria. Several roadside stands offer exotic blooms for $1 a bunch. Just "put money in box." It's the Hana honor system.

The Hana coast is rich in Hawaiian history and the scene of many turning points in Hawaiian culture. The ancient chants tell of rulers like the 15th-century Piilani, who united the island of Maui and built fish ponds, irrigation fields, paved roads, and the massive Piilanihale Heiau, which still stands today. It was Piilani's sons and grandson who finished the heiau and built the first road to Hana from West Maui, not only along the coast, but also up the Kaupo Gap and through the Haleakala Crater.