Description
Ka'anapali Beach Sunset, Maui by Margaret Simpson
watercolor
20 x 16 inches
Statement: Our family trip to Maui preceded the path of Category 5 Hurricane Lane, which downsized to "Tropical Cyclone Lane" in August of 2018. It hit off the coast of Maui and brought torrential rainfall of 17" and strong winds in the latter part of our trip. This image of a beautiful sunset on Ka'anapali Beach on the west coast was our 3rd or 4th day there. It stands in calm contrast to what was about to happen. All the resorts, shops and homeowners were boarding up and tying things down, preparing for Lane to hit. When we woke up on the 4th-day of the storm, we smelled smoke. A wildfire from a lightning strike and high winds had spread across the mountain to reach the Honoapiilani Highway NEXT TO our hotel. Driving to the airport on the last day, we were lucky to get through. Many roads were closed due to extreme flooding. Some perimeter roads were at sea level, just feet from the ocean. We saw the extent of the scorched earth from the wildfire, and how close we were to it. Though our trip was cut short, it was an amazing one. We didn't get to do everything we had planned, but we were relieved to be safe, enjoyed the tropical scenery, and spent time together as a family. The beach sunset depicted in the painting was just up the road from Lahaina, on the west coast of Maui. If you know the history of that town, in August of 2023, it had another, more devastating, fire. Thousands of people were displaced but had survived to rebuild. The huge 150-year-old banyan tree in the center of the town became a metaphor for their resilience. With conservation care, the historic tree is growing back and will survive as well.
Bio: Margaret is primarily a watercolorist of natural landscapes, portraits and historic places. She paints en plein air for regional historical societies, and also paints in acrylic or water-based oil on canvas. Margaret is an instructor in watercolor, and accepts commissions.
$299.00 *
Price subject to sales tax.
