We've all heard of the beautiful island of Hawaii. Mark Twain is quoted as describing Hawaii as "the loveliest fleet of islands that lies anchored in any ocean." It is still, in the modern age, depicted as a beautiful place as close to true Paradise as any living human can get. Sadly, though, Hawaii had made headlines in 2023 for the devastating wildfires in Maui in August of that year. The damage was, and still is as of writing this, truly heartbreaking.
Due to the wildfires, practically everyone and their grandmother was talking about and watching videos of Hawaii. Aside from the fact that they were literally on fire and should be on everyone's minds at the time, I couldn't help thinking that most Americans only talk about Hawaii despite there being 47 (apparently Taiwan is being "disputed" as it's own island nation, probably because of China, but I say it counts! 😂) other island nations. After some searching and digging on good old Google, I chose to make a portrait of a Tuvaluan Warrior from the island nation of Tuvalu.
Learning about this beautiful and unique island nation was REALLY COOL! I, like so many other Americans sadly, had never even heard of these people or their beautiful country. In my research I found that there are so many different species of, of course aquatic creatures, but also birds, mammals and reptiles. One absolutely adorable little lizard, named the Tuvalu forest gecko, is apparently the only known to live on Tuvalu. Here's what these cute little guys look like (VVV):
Isn't he just adorable?! Sadly, they're classified as Critically Endangered as of 2021, due to the ongoing threat of sea levels rising because of climate change! 😠Poor little guys are going to drown because of dumb humans! Where's Noah when you need him? 😂 But, honestly, you can't help but expect an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean not to just be bursting with beautiful flowers and life of all shapes and sizes! I actually made two portraits based on Tuvalu, this one of a Tuvaluan Warrior and another, Sail over the Sun, which is of a Sun Fish which can be found in the waters surrounding Tuvalu.
But, enough backstory, time for the main attraction! May I present to YOU, my Tuvalu.
This 6X6 portrait was scary, tricky and stressful! 😂 So many things were new for me to try: the background is an acrylic paint pour, which I was very new at trying. The head crown and necklace are a mixture of Posca paint markers and a modeling paste-acrylic paint mixture to give it depth and a 3D texture. The flower was sculpted from Sculpey polymer clay and painted with acrylic paint and crushed pastels. And, finally, the handsome face is a mix of acrylic paints and blended Posca paint markers.
This is one of the few works I've ever made that has me captivated and taken aback when I remember that it was made by ME. 😂 I loved figuring out how to add the elements I wanted in a fun and unique way. And, if you didn't know, I have a personal challenge to use up my hoard of art supplies before they all go bad 😂 so trying to figure out what mediums to add to each work and have them look good is an added challenge that gets my creative juices flowing! That's why I enjoy mixed media art the most - it's challenging to make things look good while adding so many different art mediums in one project.
The Posca markers were another challenging tool because, from my research, so many claimed that you couldn't blend or even mix the markers on paper or canvas. Well, the proof is in the pudding as they say, and my pudding proved positive! (What did I just say? 😂 ) I was able to blend the Posca's beautifully with and on the wet and dry acrylic paints. Which, honestly, shouldn't be surprising considering Posca are acrylic paint makers 😂 so they should be blendable/mixable with no issues. They were tricky, of course, but no more tricky (for me) than blending regular acrylic paint. Maybe the trick is in the tools to blend with, and of course skill 😂 , because I used blending makeup brushes to softly and gently brush the colors around the way I wanted them. It of course was touch and go for certain spots, I wont lie! Many parts (I wont point them out 😂 )wanted to fight me and refused to listen. But, I am as stubborn as I am long winded, so I didn't back down and eventually won the war! Hazzah! 😂
This piece, and the Sail over the Sun, were submissions for the Ohio Art Leagues 2023 Thumbox exposition and were on display at the RAW Gallery in Columbus, Ohio. It was a treat and a fun exposition truly! Seeing my works alongside so many other intricate and detailed works was fun and honoring. The only restrictions for qualifying were that the pieces had to be 6X6, which at first seemed WAY too small! 😂 But, after fussing with my rough drafts, I eventually settled into things. Thankfully it wasn't something smaller like 3X3 or 2X2 😱 😂 . I don't think I couldn't handled something that small. Not with my fat fingers and clumsy-ox ways!
I hope you enjoyed
Tuvalu and got more than a little curious to both try out these different mediums, but to also do some reading on the beautiful nation of Tuvalu! But, should you get inspired by their beautiful islands, be sure to make something equally beautiful and tag me on social media so I can see YOUR creations! And please feel free to let me know YOUR thoughts on this piece/medium. If you would like to
challenge me, please check out my
Contact Me page, or, if you'd like to purchase one of my works or a work of your own design, check out my
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