Here is “Hawaiian Jungle.”
On a warm afternoon on the island of Kauai in 2024, I went hiking along a narrow trail winding through the dense jungle. It was just after a torrential downpour of rain. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth, and the soft sound of rustling filled the space between birdsong.
As the sun filtered through the thick canopy, shafts of golden light flickered across branches, creating an ever-shifting pattern of glow and shadow.
That hike became the inspiration for this painting — a wide, panoramic piece stretching four feet across. The painting captures the peaceful feeling of that day, where time seemed to slow down and every moment felt suspended in the soft shimmer of light.
The color palette is built around muted blues and gentle greens, depicting the lush landscape without overwhelming the senses. I wanted the painting to feel as soft as the air itself, with delicate mist hanging in the distance.
Layers of translucent paint blend into each other, creating the sensation of depth — branches crossing over one another, each fading into the next.
This painting is really about light — how it transforms the forest into something ethereal, flickering through gaps in the branches, and leaving everything touched by a quiet glow.
As I worked on this piece, I wanted to create a sense of calm — the kind of peace that comes when you’re deep in nature, surrounded by something ancient and alive.
The painting invites you to linger, to trace the lines of the tree trunks and let your eyes follow the way the light glimmers along the edges.
It’s a memory of that perfect afternoon, but more than that, it’s a feeling — one of stillness, warmth, and quiet wonder. My hope is that when you look at this painting, you can step into that jungle with me, taking a slow breath and feeling the sunlight on your face through the cool mist.
This piece is a reminder that even in the densest, wildest places, light always finds its way through. The original painting and prints are available.