Oil on canvas, framed in a solid 5 pc. Hawaiian koa wood frame

18 1/2”  (h) x 24 1/2” (w), Outside framed dimension: 28 1/4” (h) x 34 1/8” (w)

I was housesitting by the ocean, taking daily sunrise walks and collecting fallen plumeria when I first imagined that I would paint my 6-year-old cousin Tehana sitting with beautiful blossoms, her long hair down, stringing a lei. She modeled for me one morning on a bluff in Napili overlooking Moloka'i and I brought as many plumeria as I could find. Our other cousin Tiana was a professional hula dancer and she provided the dress. Tehana was a wonderful model, and a month later when she saw the canvas in progress on my easel, she was rather spell bound. 

- Julia Allisson Cost