Maui 44" x 88"

Maui 44" x 88"

In my last blog post, Maui (study) 12" x 21.5, I had just finished a much smaller painting of the story of Maui. After over a month of painting and patience I have finished the final piece.This painting is a depiction of one of the Myths of the demigod Maui.

Maui, was the rascal of his family. According to one legend Maui tricks his brothers while they go fishing. Using his special fishing hook called the Manaiakalani he grabs the ocean floor. Fooling his brothers he tells them that they have caught a giant fish. In order to catch it they must paddle as fast and as hard as they can. By tricking his bothers multiple times he is able to pull up the ocean floor and form the Hawaiian islands.

study

 In the final piece I added some elements to the story. To the left of Maui I added their canoe sail. The sail helps highlight the prospective in this piece and gave more movement to the sky. To the bottom left I also added one of Maui's brothers. He has his back turned to Maui but is paddling the canoe as hard as he can. The sail and his brother are helping in the effort to pull up the ocean floor.

Besides adding the canoe sail and Maui's brother I also changed the look and perspective of his face. In this piece he is looking strait down his fishing line with determination and focus.

Close-up of Maui's determination

Below are more detailed photos of this piece.

Maui's brother and canoe mast.

Manaiakalani pulling up the ocean floor