Mosaic artwork I designed for a book cover that I made. It is based on Paul Gauguin’s “Vahine no te vi (Woman of the Mango), 1892. Much of my childhood was spent in Hawaii, which is where a great deal of my inspiration comes from. I wrote a poem titled “Wahine”, which means ‘woman’ in Hawaiian.
“Wahine”
Black flowing hair like lava, Swaying like palm tree fronds. Cascading down the arch and small of her back, Like the Akaka Falls; rhythmic and floating. Hovering over the curves of her shoulders. Wafting Pacific Ocean air through the strands of her hair. Her muumuu adorned with yellow plumeria flowers. Barefeet carry her on cool asphalt recently baptized from the island rain. Gazing brown eyes adore the Waianae mountains. The taste of Li Hing Mui and sweet mango on the edge of her lips. Skin the color of a ripened kukui nut. Her voice melodic, reminiscent of her ancestors, embracing Hawaii for eternity (No Kau a Kau).
A drawing of me in pencil done by Walter Saffold, my father – an unsung artist.
Written Passages 
