Paia Town, Maui

I arrived on Maui in 1985 and felt quickly at home in the historic plantation town of Paia. I saw in it an endless source of inspiration. What exactly that inspiration is, can be seen in all of my paintings. It is a reflection of who I am. In other words, every painting is, in a way, a self portrait.

It was the perfect time for Maui. My style of working from life, on the sidewalks in town, drew quick attention. The people of Maui responded with enthusiasm. People commented. They watched with interest as I sat working along the roadsides, day in day out documenting their way of life. At the time, Maui artists focused on the beach, the whales, the palm trees, etc. I was drawn to everyday life and to the people. Before long they were showing up as subjects in my paintings and their interest grew. They were relieved to see someone finally capturing the OLD MAUI. They referred to me as a historian, preserving a passing moment in time.

I worked my way around the island, focusing largely on Paia, Makawao, and Upcountry. The Maui community proved to be extremely supportive. So I made it my home.