A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer; it sings because it has a song. (Maya Angelou)
God has given me a song – a song sung in color and emotion. I am a visual artist and being brought up in a land rich in vibrant, beautiful color to a race of emotionally driven people…creating art seemed to be the most natural course that my life could’ve taken. My heart soars when I witness God’s majesty in His fiery sunsets and sunrises, in His beautiful creatures, in His stunning floral displays, in His people…the list goes on and on. I know that I will never be able to capture the beauty that He has created, but I am compelled to try and He has given me that ability. Whatever I paint, I paint to His Glory.
I was born in Wailuku, a tiny town on the island of Maui, state of Hawaii. Both of my parents were able to trace their lineage back to the royal lines of Hawaii, which really does not account for much in this day and age; however, it is this heritage that I draw on for the subject of many of my paintings. As with most artists, my interest in art started as a child. Then high school freshman drawing class where I discovered it was something that I did well. Despite the fact that there was no motivation, I continued to draw, did some oils and acrylics throughout my life. On retirement I stumbled on a beginning oil painting class and decided to enroll. I continued those classes and learned techniques in oil painting that have enabled me to hone my artistic abilities. Other than this oil painting techniques class, I have not had formal art training. There are no degrees from prestigious universities or notable art schools to list here. Thus, I call my work The Heart of Art.
Lokelani Forrest is a member of 1 on 1: The Fine Art of Portraiture , For The Love Of Jesus , Impressionist Art, Oil Painting, Painted Florals! , Painters In Modern Times - TWO PER DAY and Reaching Out : A Christian Mission .