The island of Hawaii is home to a variety of animals who inhabit its mountains, shores, and waters.  Since it is one of the most isolated places in the world there are species of flora and fauna here that won’t be found anywhere else on Earth.  Most of these endemic animals are native birds and due to constant changes in their ecosystem many are endangered.

Polynesians from the Marquesas Islands were the first men to live in Hawaii and brought with them three domesticated animals: pigs, chickens, and dogs.  Before the introduction  of these three Polynesian food sources (yes they ate the doggies too) the Hoary Bat was the only land mammal that could be found on the island.  Since then Western colonizers have purposely and accidentally introduced a whole slew of new animal species to the shores of this beautiful tropical oasis.   

Jacob’s work focuses on the range of animals that can be found on Hawaii island. From the reef to the mountains, wether a rare endemic Hawaiian Crow, or a common domesticated house cat, collectively they all make up what we know Hawaii to be today.

  • El Sonido de una Sirena Enamorada

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    “El Sonido de una Sirena Enamorada” is an underwater love story where two sea creatures have found each other after being separated for ages by vast oceans.  Both have traveled the seven seas in search of the other guided only by the unique sound that their counterpart makes.

    Once they find each other they embrace in harmony and make the most beautiful music that resonates to the deepest depths of the ocean.

    $15.00$335.00

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  • Honu Ofrenda

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    This painting depicts a Honu with an ofrenda on it’s back. The ofrenda is an offering in Mexican culture and often includes food, flowers, and candles.  The ofrenda is very common in the Day of the Dead celebration and is used to invite your departed loved ones back for a night of earthly delights.  I chose to show the Honu with a Hawaiian style ofrenda that includes a tea leaf offering and native Hawaiian flowers.  Since the honu is endangered it carries the ofrenda for it’s lost brethren.

    This piece was painted with acrylic and enamel on birch panel and measures 16″x20″.  It comes in a custom wood frame that has been painted with a teal antique finish bringing the total size to 19.5″x24.5″.

    $15.00$1,500.00

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  • Hell or High Water

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    Hell or High Water is a painting that shows a Day of the Dead kraken attacking a skeleton pirate ship.  Skeleton pirates scramble to stay afloat by hugging barrels of rum, holding debris, and struggle to keep treasure from sinking.  Meanwhile the Kraken deploys her tentacles to crush their ship’s hull and snap its masts.  This unique tall tale enhanced by eerie fog is a great piece for any ocean enthusiast, one eyed pirate, peg leg polisher, or hardcore ocean art collector!

    $210.00$375.00

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  • He’e

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    In Hawai’i the word for octopus is “he’e” however islanders commonly refer to it by the Japanese name “tako”.  There is even a restaurant on the Big Island in Waimea called Tako Taco, but if you are like me you would never eat one because these he’e are pretty awesome!

    $15.00$335.00

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  • ‘I’iwi in Waiting

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    The ‘I’iwi also known as the scarlet Hawaiian honey creeper is one of Hawaii’s most recognizable birds.Unfortunately it is facing near extinction due to habitat loss and the spread of mosquito born diseases.However these birds can still be found in high elevations of the big islands of Hawaii and have been listed as threatened under The Endangered Species Act.

    This piece measures 5×7 inches and was painted with acrylic and enamel on a canvas panel.  The original work can be purchased at the Volcano Art Center in Hawaii’s Volcano National Park, or on their website here.

    $15.00$335.00

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  • Tombstone

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    The title “Tombstone” is a term used by surfers that refers to the predicament a surfer gets into after he wipes out and gets stuck underwater. When a surfer gets plunged really deep their leash pulls so taught that it causes the surfboard to stick out above the surface resembling a tombstone. The longer the tombstone is up, the greater the danger the surfer is in. This piece shows how real things can get below the surface.

    Tombstone is painted with acrylic, ink, and enamel on a birch panel.  The painting measures  11″ x 14″

    $15.00$750.00

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  • Return of the ‘Alalā

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    Return of the ‘Alalā depicts three native species from the Big Island of Hawai’i. The Hawaiian crow, or ‘alalā, the beautiful Koa tree, and the tree’s little foe the Koa Bug. Unfortunately the ‘alalā itself is extinct in the wild and there are only about 150 left in captivity. However, there is going to be a release of the ‘alalā back into their native habitat in 2016 coordinated by The Keauhou Bird Conservation Center. The area has been restored to the natural environment of the ‘alalā and is protected in an effort to help this beautiful bird thrive and once again repopulate the Big Island of Hawai’i.

    This piece is painted with acrylic and enamel on panel. The frame is custom made out of reclaimed Koa and is meant to reflect the native Koa tree represented in the painting.  The original is available for purchase at the Volcano Art Center located in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, or on their website here.

    $15.00$1,700.00

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  • Pig Hunter-Hunter

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    Kamapua’a is the shapeshifting boar god in Hawaiian mythology. This piece references to him while taking a twist on the cultural significance to pig hunting in Hawaii and combining it with a hint of Day of the Dead imagery.He is the hunter of hunters and he wears skulls as trophies around his neck of all who have attempted to serve him for a Luau.

    This work is painted on birch panel with acrylic and enamel and measures 10″x12″.  It comes in a reclaimed wood frame that is  decorated with beautifully carved designs bringing the total size to 15″x17″.

    $15.00$2,400.00

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  • Alala Crow

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    The Hawaiian Crow or ‘Alalā is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and is considered by natives to be a family god or ‘aumakua.  Unfortunately it is extinct in the wild and there are only about 150 left in captivity!

    This painting is 4″x6″ on wood with an acrylic underpainting and is enhanced with black enamel.  It comes in a custom built mango frame bringing the total size to 8″x 10″.  Although the original has sold canvas giclee and paper prints are still available.

     

    $15.00$335.00

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  • Warrior Kitty

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    Warrior Kitty is a painting of our cat Nargle who is an avid hunter and protector of our house.

    He is painted with acrylic and enamel on an 8″x10″ canvas with a custom made Zebra wood frame, measuring 11″x13″ in total. Zebra wood comes from a large tree that is native to Central America.

    $15.00$400.00

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  • Hoary Bat

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    The endangered Hoary Bat is the only native land mammal of the Hawaiian Islands.  It is a very elusive bat that roosts in trees among forests and the Hawaiian name is ‘Ope‘ape‘a.

    It is painted with acrylic and enamel on 5″x7″ canvas panel in a rustic wood frame, measuring 10″x12″ in total.

    $15.00$300.00

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