Express Yourself! Heading back to the beginning...

A couple of days ago I was cleaning out my closet and found some blank canvas's and my box of oil pastels... it has been sooooo long since I put any time into my art and I decided to dedicate a few days to creating something that I felt embodied Keala Legacy... and here it is!

Mother Earth, Poly Style!

I believe this pretty much sums up the design style of my jewelry and the impact I want to make on people... Keala Legacy is about taking what is traditional and adding a new twist!  All about utilizing the natural style and culture of the islands and adding a bit of character... a splash of color... a touch of uniqueness that can be found only in what I design.

I realize now that what I create doesnt cater to fashionistas... and Im totally okay with that!  Because the people who do purchase my designs LOVE them... and if I can share the way I see Hawaii by selling one piece at a time, I am doing exactly what I set out to do.

So be bold and express yourself and your view of the world!  Me ke aloha pumehana... ~*~ Keala ~*~

*Original canvas will be available for sale shortly... just needs to finish drying and get a few coats of varnish!  Medium is pastels and oil paint.

New Tattoo!!!

FINALLY!!!

So, this past Saturday I drove out to Hau'ula and met with Miss Laura with Polynesian Tattoo Factory. She is a fantastic artist as well as a tattoo artist and her work is all one of a kind original. I chose to go to Laura after seeing some of her work on flickr and it all just fit.

I arrived at 3:00pm, ink started at 3:30pm and we finished at 10:30pm. Yes... it took 7 hours! I could have done it in 2 sessions, but I figured what the hell... just go for it. I would have been really irritated with myself for not having it completed and I am happy I decided to go on!

She created exactly what I was looking for! And here it is!



The 3 hibiscus flowers represent my children, they also represent my family. My great grand uncle bred hibiscus plants and actually came up with many hybrid species! He named one after my great grandmother Charlotte Keala.

I also have my children's names added, which of course was the most important aspect of my tattoo. They are the reason for this tattoo. I got the ink done on the left side of my ribs so that my children will always be close to my heart and under my arm for love and protection.

And the last part of this tattoo is the Polynesian design. I am of Hawaiian descent and wanted something to represent that. There is weaved Lauhala, Sharks Teeth, and a freehand tribal.

My artist Laura did a fantastic job and the only thing she stenciled on was my kids names. Everything else she freehand sketched on my body. You can see that the design flows with the curve of my body, which makes it look fantastic!

I am just so happy with how it came out!! It was worth every moment of pain and I would do it again this instant... if I had the money!!!