The Secrets of Nāpali

What this painting is about

The Secrets of Nāpali is a rectangular abstract painting created with enamel paints. The dramatic resemblance to mountains above water wasn’t a deliberate one instead was a result of positioning the canvas on a slight incline as it dried. in fact is began its journey as a series of straight lines.

So here we find a predominantly green and blue color palette with accents of gold, silver, white and black to compliment. Aside from the spectacular forms the paint blending is really quite extraordinary. You can see this to great effect where the silver meets the white as it rises from the blue ocean-like levels.

And just when you think you’ve seen it all  you look a little closer and find more and more details and paint nuances where you least expect them. The role of the metallic gold is key too as it forms itself around small peninsulas of paint and seems to flow around all the peaks and troughs in the painting.

What about the name?

For the keen movie goers among you the name may ring a bell. Nāpali is a coastal region on the Hawaiian island of Kauai and was used as the fictitious Isla Nublar in the 1994 film Jurassic Park.

In particular the opening approach shots in the helicopter and the landing sequences were all filmed on the Nāpali coast and is a place extraordinary natural beauty. Razor sharp cliffs rise to pierce the sky while surrounded in the rich blue ocean of the Pacific. The film also features the Manawaiopuna Falls in Hanapepe Valley.