"Close to Home"

Headed out with my big mug of coffee to sit by by the sea and set up my easel by 7 a.m. wanting to catch the early light on the neighbor's rustling palms. My reward for a good mornings work was waiting for me to finish... with the rising tide the tidal pool behind the house was filling up and looking more and more delicious. So, once I finished the painting, I threw on my suit and floated in the gentle waves.  It can't get "mo bettah" than this!

2015 Copyright Lynn Capell / plein air oils on wood panel /11" x 14"

"Coconut Water"

Headed back to a favorite spot by Puako Bay, so quiet and peaceful and I  imagined going sailing on this sweet sailboat as I painted it. After a couple of hours, a workman drove in and said he had to trim some trees, and "would I like a coconut?" He chopped off one end with his machete and I tell you, after painting in the heat for 2 hours, "there is heaven in a coconut!!!" Oh was it delicious!! While I was guzzling away, he climbed up into the branches of my shade tree and (with apologies) proceeded to trim it with a chainsaw!! Holy cow, there went my solitude....and 10 minutes later I left, too.
    2015  / plein air oils on wood panel/ 11" x 14" copyright Lynn Capell

"Paint by Numbers"

This piece was inspired by a photo I took last winter of the waves at Paniau, just down the street. As  I painted I kept trying for a "paint-by-numbers" flat feel, then my brushes  said "what the heck!" and loaded themselves up with paint and went crazy! Just felt like changing things up a bit...

2015 oils in wood panel /  12" x 24"  copyright Lynn Capell

"Morning by the Bay"

Just finished this piece and it's a big one! Last month's huge surf took down these two palms at Puako Bay that I had painted on location in the fall. Ah... such is the passage of time and nature's impermanence.  I used the small painting I did as reference to make this large piece, 40" x 50" Oils on wood panel. Copyright Lynn Capell 2015

"Mauna Kea Evening"

Painted on location looking eastward one evening toward Mauna Kea and Waimea. Some clouds came rolling in, and the sun made such a lovely golden glow on everything. I'm lucky to live in Hawaii.
 11" x 14" Oils on wood panel.
Copyright Lynn Capell 2015.

"Puako Beach Drive"

As I pull out my driveway heading into town, this is my view. Telephone wires and all, it daily makes me catch my breath at how beautiful is this place where I live. It's such a quiet peaceful street (it's a dead end near me) and there are often people strolling or bicycling or jogging by. Life is good!
Oils on wood panel / painted on location/ 16" x 12"
copyright Lynn Capell

Kawaihae Canoe

This canoe was a real beauty...handmade of wood (koa?)  and nestled in the shade of the banana palm, it was clearly begging me to paint her! This was a quick one, done in about 2 hours on location as the setting sun was busy changing all my colors. Enjoy!
Oils on wood panel  12" x 16"
copyright Lynn Capell 2015

"Hawaii Skies"

Started out clear and sunny today as I headed down to my sweet spot by the bay. It's a good feeling, beginning the New Year painting by the sea. Ahh... I am am so blessed and so grateful!
Oils on wood panel 12" x 16" copyright Lynn Capell 2015

"Two Boats"

Another one painted later the same day as "Boat with Red Tarp", down by the bay in Puako. Bit of a challenge painting two boats, I feel a tad out of practice but dove in anyway. Getting into the juicy paints here, yum!
Oils on wood panel / 9" x 12" / plein air
copyright Lynn Capell / December 2014

"Boat with a Red Tarp"

Painting by my favorite bay, standing on the lava beach down the road from house, I realized it's been quite a while since I painted a boat! This one had a morning sun reflection on the stern, as did the little dinghy tied behind it. Tried to capture that shine while keeping the boat in shadow. Enjoy!
Oils on wood panel / 9" x 12" / copyright Lynn Capell

"Kiawe by the Bay"

Well I had plenty of memories to take with me after this session. While painting this scene in Puako and trying to stay in my shady spot I accidentally backed up into a Kiawe tree and got stabbed in both legs by the thorns! So by the time I finished I had several dabs of paper towels stuck to my legs to stop the bleeding. Sheesh... what we artists must endure! (ha!)  But it was a lovely peaceful day, with the colorful bouys offshore complimenting the colors of the bay.
Oils on wood panel / 11" x 14" / Copyright Lynn Capell 2014

"The Goats"

My sister Susan and I were driving down the highway at sunset here in North Kohala when I saw this herd of wild goats up on the rocky lava hillside and we stopped to take their pictures. It was so stunning seeing their silhouettes against the setting sun. So this is what I painted... enjoy!
Oils on wood panel /  36" x 48" / Copyright Lynn Capell 2014

"Mauna Kea Afternoon"

       Some days are just so darn pretty here that I don't stray far from my  own backyard.
This one was painted looking though this little tree to Mauna Kea in the distance.  Maybe it's not quite the exact representation of the colors, or maybe it's just me expressing my happy mood!
Oils on wood panel. Plein air. 10" x 8" copyright Lynn Capell 2014

"Keepin Calm and Carryin On"...

(Note to self... next time bring a back up of mineral spirits!) No sooner did I get set up, ready to begin, (knowing it was a blustery, crazy-windy morning), then my can of mineral sprints blew right off my table and dumped all over the ground!! I stood looking at it for a moment (after some choice fun words) and I thought..."hmmm... I wonder if I could do the whole painting "dry"- using no spirits."  Sadly- (sigh)- I decided it was best to hike back out, get in my car, drive the 5 min home and grab another can. Drive back, hike back in, THEN putting it safely on the ground between some rocks, I began again. Had to hold onto the easel with one hand the whole day! Or -"thar she blows"!!
Oils on wood panel 12" x 16"  Plein Air
Copyright Lynn Capell 2014

"Mieux "

I was just heading out the door to go paint down the street, when there was my cat "Mieux" napping in the sun on my bed. I couldn't "not " paint her!
Oils on wood panel 12" x 16" Copyright Lynn Capell

Waialea Beach

    One of  those days when I picked my out a quiet shady spot under the twisted trees, got all set up real early, nice and serene, and boy! by the time I left four hours later there were SO many people everywhere! ! You wouldn't know it by this scene, but I had kids digging sand trenches by my feet,  a Russian group animatedly talking story (in Russian!) behind me, snorkelers, people picnicking, sunbathers...amazing that this little beach could hold so much activity! But this was the scene I started and my "magic brush" just wanted to paint a seascape! So there!

16" x 12"  oils on wood panel /Plein Air     Copyright Lynn Capell 2014

"Offroad"

I found a new road I never took before, makai near Hapuna Beach. I'm always curious, so I went exploring, and set up my easel in the meager shade of a kiawe tree to paint this scene. Got pretty darned sunburnt on my neck, because as the sun was settling behind me I was in "full-on paint jamming mod", and couldn't stop or take the time to cover up! It's looking east toward Waikoloa Village. Enjoy!
Oils on wood panel 11" x 14" plein air
Copyright Lynn Capell 2014

"Waimea Fence Line"

The view heading up Kawaihae Road to Waimea (the "big city!")  Lovely clouds this October and some  nice fall rains 'll  soon be turning things even more green. Still pretry warm weather though.
Enjoy!
9" x 12" oils on wood panel
Copyyright L.Capell 2014

"Couldn't Sleep..."

Every sunrise is another breathtaking show in my own backyard, and this one was no exception! I couldn't sleep, so I grabbed my paints and was ready to go by 6 a.m. as the sun rose from the east side of the island putting Mauna Kea mountain in shadow. Boy, you've gotta be fast as it looked totally different  half an hour later...
11" x 14"  Plein Air / Oils on wood panel
Copyright 2014  Lynn Capell

Sunday's Shade

A hot afternoon by the ocean in Puako, finding cool refuge in some shade while painting on the porch behind Cheri's house again. Endless inspiration around here for painting...as long as I can find some somewhere to get out of the sun. The wind came in strong after about the second hour... I'm finally getting the hang of painting and holding my easel down with the other hand!
Oils on wood panel, 12" x 16"
copyright Lynn Capell 2014

Ripening Mangos

Looking toward Mauna Kea mountain, (again from my backyard), there was a soft cloud of vog obscuring the distant landscape, bringing into focus the little mango tree to the right. The baby Haydens are just starting to grow plump! Mmm...  I can hardly wait, imagining eating them while I paint this scene. And daydreaming of Gauguin (something about these colors, I suppose ) Enjoy...

Oils on wood panel 9" x 12"
Plein air , Puako , Hawaii,
Copyright Lynn Capell 2014

Banana Palm

In the  early morning I see the first rays of the sun lighting the upper leaves of this huge banana tree in my yard.  Last week I couldn't sleep and so got up early (6 am) to paint it! The bananas are waaaay up there though..I'm still waiting for the yard man to chop 'em down. Enjoy...
Plein air
Oils on wood panel 11" x 16"
copyright Lynn Capell 2014

Gigi's Palm

This was the second of two paintings of this palm...the first I painted on location but when I got it home I felt the colors were "too cool". So rather than fiddle with it to try and make it right, I painted this second version using the first on as my guide. Playing in the paints again, enjoying the "juicy brushwork" that  spontaneity provides!

Copyright L.Capell 2014       Oils on wood panel, 9" x 12" 

Mauna Kea Sunrise

This is the view at 6 a.m. in the morning from my backyard. The sun is just peeking over from the east side of the island, creating a "slice of sunshine" on one side of the mountain, while the other side is still half asleep. I love this time of day, but I must say I am not usually wide awake enough to dive into my paints at such an early hour. It took some planning! Painted on location in Puako.

Copyright L.Capell 2014               Oils on wood panel 9" x 12"

"Beach 69"

Headed down the road in the Puako area seeking shade and found this scene at 69"s. Late afternoon sun and lots of changing colors as it began descending to the sea. I love these old bleached out trees by the water's edge. Wind picked up a bit, coming straight at me so it was a challenge to keep this little guy from flying off the easel!

Oils on wood panel 9" x 12"  copyright Lynn Capell 2014

"My Backyard"

On the weekends I stick close to home, as during the weekdays for the last  couple of months there are workmen renovating the place upstairs. All kinds of hammering and "loud men noises!" So on the weekends I get my sweet peace back, (ahhhhhh...) and look for excuses to hang around my yard. This was painted on my back porch patio, looking toward the neighbors yard. 

"My Backyard" 11" x 14" oils on wood panel 

Copyright 2014 Lynn Capell

Sandy Path in Puako

Ok I confess,,, Started this on the beach (plein air) but it was just too large to get it done that same day without getting fried to a crisp! And you know those cute little green beach chairs sitting in the sand (that I worked on over and over).... well,.. "poof!!"... all this artist has to do is wave my brush and they're gone!! Magic!! (Anyway they were a bit too sentimental for my liking.) I finished this one in my studio 2 days ago. Enjoy!

Oils on wood panel  22" x 30"

Copyright Lynn Capell 2014

Clouds over Kohala

I painted this one the same day as "Cheri's Place", working quickly on the beach cottage porch with my pallette knives (my "trowels"!) to try and capture the lovely afternoon clouds over Hualalai mountain. It was such a spectacular day and the mountain was simply "glowing".
Oils on wood panel 11" x 14"
copyright L.Capell 2014

Hussshhh..

Unusual,  such a windless day. I was painting at the north end of Puako and this was such a still, warm afternoon. Just a gentle "husshh, husshh" of the waves lapping on the shore as the sun was dropping lower in the sky.  Soft colors all around.

Oils on wood panel 12" x 16"

Copyright L.Capell 2014

Seagrape Shade

A friend's place on the makai side of Puako in the shade of a big seagrape tree behind their house. It was wonderful painting beneath luscious shade for 3 hours. Still not sure I did justice to the view, as I was trying to paint very quickly to be done by noon (when the shade would be gone!)


9" x 12"  Oil on wooden panel  /    Copyright Lynn Capell 2014

"Buff's Backyard"

My friend , Buff, lives in down the street in a cozy cottage by the ocean, with his "not too shabby view" of Kohala Mountain across the water. Figuring I'd stick close to home, I set up on on the beach behind his house and began to paint at 9 a.m. Some 2 hours later, holding down my easel with crazy "in my face wind" (causing  tears to flow streaming down my face and my nose was just one big drip!)... it was done. Whew. Time for a nap... (ya got a hammock handy, Buff?)   

9" x 12" Oils on wood panel. Copyright Lynn Capell 2014  

(tickled pink!)

Ohhh.. my  "Daughter of the Sea" won 1st place (President's Choice) in the Hawaii Museum of Contemporary Art Summer Art festival in Hilo.  I didn't make it to the reception, and only now got the good news recently. Wow....I'm honored and thrilled!!

"

WIND!

I may be the daughter of a sailor, but I'm not wild about the wind!! Especially when painting!! Got up this morning with the very vocal birds (ok, screaming Frankolins..call em what they are!)  intending to get an early start on a plein air piece after my walk. 

Started out with  a  nice little bit of wind, no big deal. Set up my easel on the beach in Puako and was painting the always lovely tidepools looking north toward Kohala mountain. Nice.

 An hour later, a little more wind..."ok...keep painting Lynn, it'll die down" I told myself. Another hour... HOWLING winds from the mauka side so that every few minutes I was grabbing my easel AND my palette (and yelling," No!" at the wind gods!) (yes- I've had THAT happen before!) 

Finally called it a day after painting as fast as I could...... Whew, I'm beat!! Enjoy..

16" x 20"  oils on canvas panel

Copyright 2014 Lynn Capell

PANIAU WINTER WAVES

Hot off the 'ole easel, This one was painted with a big palette knife and literally gobs and layers of paint!!  It chose it's own wild path.. as usual I was "but the brush" (and covered in just about as much paint..!)  I am dedicating this year to painting seascapes, and have spent  hours by the ocean to try and record those impressions in my mind  (kinda tough to do a big one like this on location!) Tomorrow I'm back to plein air, .. for now this one is "pau" (and so am I!!) Enjoy!
Oils on wood panel 36" x 48"

Copyright 2014  L.Capell

Duke's Place

A friend of mine rented a small studio on the makai side here in Puako, and this was his backyard! Just love it! So I set up my easel on his back porch and painted this one afternoon. Enjoy!
 copyright Lynn Capell 2014 .

Puako Plein Air

Deidre, I apologize!! After insisting that my student NOT work on her piece once she got home, I did exactly that the next day, "touching up" here and there and then wishing I hadn't!  "Sigh" ...Sometimes you just loose some of the freshness... but overall, a fun, hardworking day last Thursday at the beach!!

Waipio Valley Woodblock Print

I started this one last summer; at first it included a fisherman throwing a net. It began as a scene I photographed a year ago while in Waipio Valley. Struggled for a while with the fisherman... started out big, then slimmed him down....finally took him out all-together! (the print breathed a "sigh" of relief!)  Printed in watercolor paints with 4 carved blocks. Enjoy!
Copyright lcapell 2014

"Hau`oli Lā Hānau"

Happy birthday to me! And what a spectacular day! On Thursday I went down to the end of the street in Puako to paint by the ocean with my friend Mary, and I just could not get over how stunning the day was! The breaking waves were glowing, the sun was shining down and as people walked by our easels they often stopped to chat. And while we were painting the seascape there were humpback whales  offshore flinging themselves skyward in tremendous breeches, or tail lobbing with loud "thwacks!!" every so often.  Too beautiful for words.. or paint...

I am grateful.

"Lavender Quilt"

Just finished this puppy... It's a "redo"... it's a painting I did last year, but it just "wasn't right" yet.... I sanded it way down (scary but fun!) then painted a toned wash over the whole image so you just saw a "ghost" image, kind of "orangey".  Then, basically started over!!

 Changed the  colors, elongated the figure, and highlighted some of the sun burnished areas, faded out others,... Ta da! Now she's happy!!  (yes it is Natalia, my lovely and amazing daughter)
"Lavender Quilt"
Oils on Wood 48" x 60"
copyright Lynn Capell 2014

"Daughter of the Sea"

Sonnet XXXIV (You are the daughter of the sea)

"You are the daughter of the sea, oregano's first cousin.
Swimmer, your body is pure as the water;
cook, your blood is quick as the soil.
Everything you do is full of flowers, rich with the earth.

Your eyes go out toward the water, and the waves rise;
your hands go out to the earth and the seeds swell;
you know the deep essence of water and the earth,
conjoined in you like a formula for clay

Naiad: cut your body into turquoise pieces,
they will bloom resurrected in the kitchen.
This is how you become everything that lives.

And so at last, you sleep, in the circle of my arms
that push back the shadows so that you can rest--vegetables, seaweed, herbs: the foam of your dreams."

By Pablo Neruda

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My newest piece, finished this week. Painted in acrylics on a large copper panel framed in wood and glazed with epoxy resin 

Mahalos to  Pablo Neruda... and the sea.

Dimensions: 28" x 79" 

Copyright  L.Capell 2013  

image may not be used without permission of the artist .

Indian Springs Buddha Garden, Calistoga

This first image I painted in oils on a canvas panel on location at Indian Springs Resort, in the early morning hours, I was delighted  by the glimpses of orange hammocks as the sun rose above the hills in the background. In the second one I worked from a photo I took on location that same morning, working larger in oils on a wood panel.

Calistoga Summertime...

Calistoga Paintings!

a sandy stroll at dawn...

Getting used to heaven....

 Sea grapes barely rustle in the wind, and the ocean slaps lazily at the tidal pools worn into the lava shore.  Could I love this wild Hawaiian land more every day...  yes, indeed I do.

I painted this inspired by a small plein air piece I did on site last month, then "winged it" and painted from memory. It's 4' x 4'...ahhh.. it feels great to be workin large again!!

a sandy stroll...
4' x4'
Copyright Lynn Capell 2013

Donkey Mill Day

Here's one I painted last month on the grounds of the Donkey Mill. It was way too windy to head to the ocean (my favorite) , so I had my class paint up mauka.  I liked the upended wheelbarrow in the garden, with the sun just hitting a few of the leaves...

Plein air
Oils on canvas panel
8" x 16"
Copyright L.Capell 2013

O What a Day!!

Soo... you see that nice blue sky and delicate bit of purple horizon...and ahhh ..those golden clouds? Well THAT's how things looked when I arrived at my painting location today, just north of the Honokohau Harbor. Warm and pretty, a gentle breeze..calm waters. Ha!!  It all quickly changed to howling winds ( ok REALLY strong winds!) , grey, grey skies and COLD (yes, cold!!) Yipes! I ended up holding my easel down with one hand while painting with the other, but still my painting blew off twice and I was working as fast as I could  to finish the darn thing. Two hours later the day looked nothing like it had in the morning. One couple walked by (bundled up in sweaters) and said, "gee, how can you paint in this wind?"  (sigh...maybe I better notice those clouds more carefully next time!)