Hawaiian Suite

Na Pali Ascending private collection, Santa Fe
2.4' w. by 2.4' h.

Pelee's Respite collection of the artist
2.4' w. by 2.4' h.

Hamakua Reverie private collection, Dallas
2.4' w. by 2.4' h.

The Hawaiian Suite evolved from photographs and pencil sketches done during a visit to the islands of Hawaii and Kauai. Hawaii’s natural beauty and immediacy contrasted starkly with both my architectural commission work . These experiences inspired a rediscovery of earlier autonomous directions.

Na Pali Ascending

A surreal New Years Eve day trek along the Na Pali Coast yielded opposing views of poly-green peaks and valleys on one side and a not-so-Pacific Ocean to the west. Our unacclimated mainland eyes were incredulous. The verdant, frond-enframed, and fantastic glimpses of Kauai’s blue-green Na Pali Peaks which hover above the trail are echoed in this stained glass panel. Prevalent poinsettias (unanimously declared the Official Flora of the Expedition) also made their way into Na Pali Ascending.

Pelee’s Respite

After beginning our trip on Kauai, the oldest of the major Hawaiian Islands, the youngest island of Hawaii provided dramatic contrast visible as soon as we began our New Years Day descent into Ke-Ahole Airport. During two weeks of traveling around the Big Island, its gradual and not so gradual volcanic emergence from the Pacific was unmistakable. After the requisite extended helicopter tour of the island we spent three days (and nights) hiking through Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kalapana and its black beaches; pushed the ole rental car to 9000 feet on Mauna Kea’s south slope before it overheated; and tramped and drove over and around countless geologic artifacts the goddess herself had left behind. I couldn’t help but feel Pelee’s presence beneath Puu O’o as we overflew the relatively quiescent (at the time) cinder cone. As awesome as the incandescent windows and cracks on the caldera floor appeared, I still can’t fully imagine Pelee when she’s fully awake.

Hamakua Reverie

I spent five days on the Hamakua Coast with my wife and the Brasels of Kailua Kona. We stayed in a house that looked westward over Waimanu Valley to the lighthouse on Upolu Point and across Alenuihaha Channel to Maui. The constant serenade of hidden waterfalls weaving down through a range of greens – the surprising and vibrant flashes of color – the moment-to-moment atmospheric progression through days, sunsets, nights, stars, and sunrises – even an emerging taro frond that struggled, but never broke free next to our screened porch – all are remembered in Hamakua Reverie.

Materials: German mouthblown glass, lead and solder.

Autonomous

Autonomous

Hawaiian Suite