Bonkers on the Big Island

December 31, 2023June 1, 2025 | Susan

When we go to Hilo, we don’t care if the weather’s wet because the view from our friend Suzanne’s house is incredible and we’re happy to just watch the surfers all day long. This trip, I was obsessed with capturing it.

Sure, we went snorkeling (which was fantastic) and even watched manta rays devour plankton (more on this later) but my focus was, and has continued to be, capturing the magic of Honoli’i. I wanted to create and blow up patterns and textures.

I started three paintings plein air and finished them using the photo above as reference.

I started another one very much like it, which I brought home and proceeded to work on further.

The first two are very similar and I didn’t achieve what I wanted so I continued pushing a more stylized version.

Honoli’i the third. 14″x11″ I overdid the clouds, I think.

But I still wasn’t totally happy with the results. I decided to further simplify in an ink drawing, adding aquarelle pencils.

Honoli’i the fourth. 10″x8″ I’m the body boarder next to the building.

This piece is much smaller than the rest and I endeavored to further push the stylization. I’m still learning how I want to paint scenes like this. Each situation is different and even though I’m having fun, it can be uncomfortable. Actually, it’s frustrating. The good news is that the opportunities are infinite.

I wasn’t as obsessed with the smaller paintings I created at Richardson Beach Park, where we watched a turtle nibble on seaweed for a half hour. The snorkeling was pretty great there too.

I painted two plein air pieces. It’s much easier and quicker to paint on a small piece of paper.

I spent a lot of time thinking about how to paint water and used acrylic white on the above test. But finally realized that my stye isn’t photo realistic anyway so I can do it however I want to. It would still be good to know some techniques but for now, I’m okay with messing around.

One day, we enjoyed the sublime beauty of Hapuna Wailea for snorkeling and sunset.

The critters in the water were splendiferous.

There were a bunch of these urchins, which I call Rusty Pencil uni.

And the sunset was brilliant.

After the beach, we drove to Keauhou, south of Kona, for a night snorkel with manta rays. The tour operators motor a short way into the harbor, set out long, thin rafts outfitted with lights shining down into the water and handles on the perimeter. Participants swim out and hang onto handles in the Super Hero Pose (with a noodle under our feet) to stay flat. Since the plankton is attracted to lights, the rays glided RIGHT UNDER US, like inches away (rather startling). They eat 20 pounds of plankton a day.

They reminded me of whales–they’re so HUGE

They came at us with these cavernous maws. There were around ten of the creatures, some of which were 12′ tip to tip. Yeah, it was exciting and unnerving.

The trip back over the saddle road was a kick, as we were fortunate to find this radio show on KHPR1, Blues from the Basement, which kept us rockin’ for the challenging drive. Thanks Jon Alan!

Just a few more doodles.

And mahalo Suzanne, Gabriella, Alex and Keaton for a sublime, sweet visit. A hui hou! Seia tatou toe feiloai!

The Yosemite Landscape

December 5, 2023June 1, 2025 | Susan

Last June, I learned a new style of capturing landscapes in Yosemite Valley (what better place?). My teacher was the fabulous Oregon painter, Lindsey Fox who was teaching the week-long retreat.

Every day was jam packed with lessons as we trekked to different locations in the Valley. While I was learning new techniques, my family was gallivanting in the same natural playground. I’d scored a camping permit so we could all enjoy the majesty that is Yosemite.

After the record breaking rains of 2022-2023 Winter, the Merced was raging. We could hear the river’s roar by day and feel the vibration when we lay in our sleeping bags at night.

We woke up at 4 am to make it to Tunnel View for sunrise. It was COLD but worth it.

Half Dome at sunset. Colored Pencil drawing

Needless to say, I get jazzed just thinking about Yosemite and I am at my happiest making art there.

At home in the islands…

February 1, 2022June 1, 2025 | Susan

My previous post was from the first couple days of our six week sojourn in Hawaii. Here are more photos and sketches. Our first stop: the Big Island.

Hawai’i

We stayed on the Hilo side of the Island. One night, thunder boomed and the rain came down in buckets. Otherwise, we were blessed with fine weather.

I was determined to body board at Honoli’i but terrified at the same time. After a couple of days, I became more comfortable there and caught some sweet rides.

The walk around Honoli’i
included waterfalls, bridges and some beautiful flowers.

So happy to be with my dear friend Suzanne

We drove up to Volcanoes to see the latest lava flow. This included a short hike with chairs and a picnic at sunset. There was a bit of a crowd but it wasn’t hard to see the fountaining lava.

I don’t know exactly how I managed it, but I lost a slipper/flip flop, fin sock and water shoe all within one 24 hour period.

It’s a talent, I know.

Suzanne hosted a holiday party and invited her hui of kids and parents from their school in Hilo.

Bananagrams were a big hit!

Our last Big Island day, we lolled around in the tide pools near South Point, waves pounding the rocky shore. We had such a nice time there, we stayed a bit too long and had to board our plane without the luxury of showering beforehand.

Plein air sketch of Mitch and Suzanne lounging in the tide pools of Kawa,

Oahu

View of Lanikai, the Mokuluas and Waimanalo from pillbox hike

We spent the next month in Kailua and Waikiki. I had thought that December and January would be cool and rainy. To my surprise and delight, this year it was neither (with the exception of a few days around New Year’s). We were more social than we’d been for the last two years; catching up with old friends, hiking, mostly enjoying meals together outdoors.

Lanikai pillbox hike with Pager and Grodens

Here we are on the Pillbox hike. Kailua and Koolaus in the background

I discovered a SWEET, flat walkway about a block from our Home Exchange. The Kawainui Marsh trail goes along the wetlands and provides an unobstructed view of the Koolaus, Olomana and the hills between Kailua and Kaneohe.

Kawainui Marsh and the mountains, from the marsh walkway

On a previous trip to Oahu, parked at a trailhead, our rental car was broken into, the window smashed and our gear in the trunk stolen. I didn’t want to risk that again so we parked in easier access/less obvious spots. I had no argument paying $10 to park at a golf course to get access to the Old Pali Road trail.

Between the raindrops near the Pali lookout

We spent New Year’s Eve in Wahiawa with our friends the Osorios. The pouring rain didn’t put a damper on the fireworks, which we watched from their covered lanai.

For the first time in years, we stayed up until midnight!

The Pu’uma’eli’eli hike isn’t difficult, it’s just a steep, gunky, muddy trail which made it hard after all.

The view at the top is worth it, though. We hit the peak on a glassy day.

Kaneohe Bay and Mokoli’i (Chinaman’s Hat)

Waikiki has changed radically in the last 20 years from an Asian flavored honky tonk city to a mini Rodeo Drive, with stores like Louis Vuitton and Harry Winston.

I prefer the Kapiolani Park side for its proximity to restaurants and markets on Kapahulu, the less crowded beaches, little waves at the wall and even some snorkeling. Mitch saw an octopus right there where everyone was walking all over the reef.

Diamond Head: majestic and golden in the late afternoon light from Kapiolani Park

What to do after a day at the beach? sketch the scene from our condo. I loved our (obstructed) view of Diamond Head and Kaimuki, especially in the late afternoon sunlight.

The northwest end of Oahu is Ka’ena Point. You can get there by hiking from the West/Makaha side of the Island or from the North Shore.

As we drove up toward the coast, I could clearly see waves breaking from miles away–they were humongous that day. We met our friends Azeema and Kuhio at the northern trailhead. It was clear and we started out at 7:30 am to beat the heat. By the time we reached the tip, the sun had risen above the mountains and it was HOT. We had our lunches in the shade of some rocks. The hike out was kind of brutal but worth it!

That’s the pointed tip where north and west meet.

Kaua’i

Our last week was what we’d dubbed the “wild card” because we hadn’t made any reservations for that time. I had been hesitant to commit to Kaua’i because it’s always so wet in the winter.

But not this time.

We stayed with our friend Tracey in Wailua and enjoyed a week of sweet visits with good friends and spectacular weather!

At Waimea Canyon lookout. Mitch, Susan, Tracey and Louise

One day, we tripped up to Koke’e. I can’t remember the last time that I was there in the bright sunshine. Wow!

When I lived on Kaua’i, I would hike to Kalalau whenever I had a three day weekend. I came to know the place and the trail well and I still love and dream of it (though I haven’t been down there for ~15 years). It was such a pleasure to hike the rim and get fantastic views of the valley.

A quick stop at Anahola Granola headquarters in Hanapepe. This photo sent as an Aloha to the founder, our friend Becky who is healing from a badly broken leg.

Louise said that her halau’s weekly get-togethers kept her sane over the last two years of Covid. We were honored to join them for some songs. Mitch played along with his guitar. I sketched.

Our last day was also glorious. We snorkeled at Anini Beach with my old friend Robin, who runs Reef Guardians.

And we ended up at Hanalei Bay, which never ceases to astound me with its expansive glory.

This photo is just a shadow of the beauty of Hanalei. It was dark and the light wasn’t right. But you get the idea.

Aloha, Hawai’i. A hui hou!

Big Island magic

December 17, 2021June 1, 2025 | Susan

I don’t really know the Big Island. My experience is with Kaua’i and Oahu but here we are on this beautiful rock and it is enchanting. There are areas that bring me back to the feelings of exploration and wonder that I had when I first arrived in Hawaii back in 1982.

We’re staying with our dear friend Suzanne in Hilo and can’t believe our luck—her home sits on a bluff overlooking a kick ass surf spot that has me constantly itching to get out and hit the waves. I feel so blessed to be here!

Yosemite during the Pandemic

November 10, 2020June 1, 2025 | Susan

November 1, 2020. We gained an hour last night.

We’re here for our 18th Anniversary. Got here Thursday at dinner time. It’s beautiful and it’s different. We usually come to camp in late May or mid-September. Since it’s late in the season, we’re staying at the Lodge, right across from Yosemite Falls, which is completely dry. It’s only a teeny bit smoky. Many of the concessions are closed and those that are open require masks and are only doing takeout meals, to be eaten inside or out.

The mornings are really chilly (40’s). Friday, we ride our bikes to Mirror lake in the hand-freezing morning. I’m wearing gloves but Mitch has to suffer through it, so we switch to ride on the sunny side of the valley, which makes a big difference. Mirror Lake is a bed of dry sand. Many years ago, they used that to sand the roads in the Winter.

After Mirror Lake, we ride to our favorite spot, the stone bridge with the deep swimming hole. Mitch goes in for a dip, polar bear that he is.

It’s Halloween and we see several people wearing costumes. I wonder if there was a party somewhere but am told that people just want to dress up for the holiday—there isn’t anything “going on.”

Sunday, we leave the lodge at 9:30 and park at Curry Village to hike up Vernal Falls. I forgot that it’s the same loop we did eight years ago. I think it’s the most popular trail in Yosemite and is usually wet from the intense waterfall. This time of year, it’s not wet nor crowded.

It’s still a groaner getting up that steep flight of stairs. For the hike down, we opt to take the John Muir Trail, which is sublime in its own way. Some time, I’d like to go all the way to the top of Nevada Falls and check out Little Yosemite Valley which leads to the backside of Half Dome, where the final climb up that incredible rock begins. We meet some backpackers who came down from there. It sounds lovely and there’s a campsite. I am probably kidding myself that I’ll go but it’s nice to dream. 🙂

And being here in Yosemite has been overshadowed by the anxiety of the election. I put my phone on DND because I’ve been receiving a multitude of texts, emails and calls exhorting me to make calls and give more money. It’s a messed up time out there in the World. We are all nervous about the election and Covid seems to be here for the foreseeable future.

So we try to stay present and be with the serenity of the park. It is enough.

Trip to Gualala on the Mendocino Coast

October 28, 2020June 1, 2025 | Susan

Through the fires of this year, we’ve occasionally considered moving from the Golden State. However, our trip to the coast reminded me how incredibly beautiful it is here in California.

Fish Rock Watch Tower at the Mendocino Stone Zone, Gualala, CA.

The weather was glorious and clear. We saw whale spouts out in the water, shooting stars in the clear night sky and ate fabulous food.

Pencil drawing of the Fish Rock Watch Tower

We were treated to a tour of the Mendocino Stone Zone, a place where host Peter Mullins brings in stonemasons from Scotland, Ireland, France and New England to create art within his property in the hills. Peter is a font of knowledge about stone and informed us of a seam of basalt in Windsor, not far from where we live.

Who knew that there were basalt columns in Windsor?

We stayed at Roseman Creek Ranch, which provided a fantastic, huge kitchen. We paid a little extra for the big wood oven to be fired up so we could make pizza and other yummies. What a treat it all was!

We stayed at the beautiful Roseman Creek Ranch.

Lee and Judy made a delicious dinner in the wood fired oven

So many implements in the kitchen. Fresh flowers from the greenhouse as well.

Big Island 2020

March 21, 2020June 1, 2025 | Susan

The incredibly beautiful, serene Waipio Valley

Waipio Valley coastline. Looks like good surf. Heck, yeah!

Plenty of these big ass tree ferns in Volcano

Chillin’ in Kea’au. It was dark and I could barely see the paper while drawing/painting.

All these guys sunning on the South Side.

Pau hana at the Seafood Tiki Bar. These guys just off from work. Celebrating aloha Friday. Had no supplies on me. Used the back of my Long’s receipt and the busboy’s pen.

Lassen National Park

December 8, 2019June 1, 2025 | Susan

I went to Lassen last Summer with my friends Liz and Jenna (sisters) and about 80 Oregonians, as part of a group called the Chemeketans. I was leery of vacationing with such a large number of people but Liz assured me that it was a great way to go. At a very reasonable price, with communal participation in setting up and breaking down camp, kitchen, meal and shower tents, the group provided the food, drink and facilities for an easy camping experience.

A cook and some helpers are paid and the rest of the jobs are done by campers. I was required to sign up for a few tasks during the week—I requested dish washing.

Liz was right—it was a luxury to wake up to a hot meal and return from a long day of hiking to find dinner all ready and waiting! Yowzah!

Fishing at Hat Creek, the campground where we stayed

Lassen is the least visited of the US National Parks. It’s an active volcano with “steaming fumaroles,” bubbling mud and sulfur pools. Hot stuff! As you can see from my paintings, in many areas, there are gorgeous creeks, lakes and meadows. I was struck by the beauty of the place.

Mount Lassen is 10,457 feet and in late July we had to pick our way over snow-covered trails at one of the trailheads. Luckily, we were an alert group of hikers and found markers on the trees. Trail crews were at work, a ways down, for the first time that season. We passed three pristine lakes and gorgeous wildflowers as we reached lower levels.

There were hundreds of these miniature froggies

The elevation was tough for us lowlanders. So we continued down the mountain and hitchhiked back to our car. We had no problem getting a ride—nobody was worried about picking up middle aged women with backpacks!

I’d heard, through friends, that monarch butterflies were numerous at Lassen peak at that time of year and I really wanted to see them. We got lucky at another lake where tortoiseshell butterflies virtually covered the path. They differ from monarchs in that the underside of their wings is a dull brown and yellow but the tops are bright orange with black, much like the monarchs.

At the end of each day, all the Chemeketans would bring their folding chairs into a circle (around what would have been a fire if it weren’t Summer in California) and talk about the day’s hikes.

So many hikes, so little time 🙂

NY/NJ (and Milwaukee)

October 20, 2018June 1, 2025 | Susan

Yep, I went to my high school reunion in Summit, NJ, which was fantastic! I saw people who I knew from nursery school. And some of us have memories from way back then (even though we can’t remember what we had for lunch yesterday).

Didn’t do any drawings from the reunion itself but I have a few from the trip. Here are my doodles and sketches.

Had a wonderful dinner at Judy and Jeff’s house in Maplewood. This was the pre-dinner wine and cheese.

And a business trip to Milwaukee. I’d never been there before and it’s a beautiful city, though it was cold and windy. Lots of cool older buildings with ornate rooftops. This was an old Chamber of Commerce building that I could see from my hotel.