Active volcanoes erupting on the Island of Hawaii and love of Hawaiiana inspired the commission of the C. Tolpo portrait shown here, a portrait to special memory adventures. This four-paneled painting was designed specifically for a grand entrance wall spanning over fifteen feet, peaked at second-floor levels in the living room. In addition to actual experiences, the title “Pele and Namaka” honors Hawaiian legends about Pele (Hawaiian goddess of fire) and her older sister, Namakaokaha (goddess of sea and water), and their encounters. The tales recognize their dualism despite friction and resulting birth of the island chain:

Since her birth Pele and her sister Namaka were always in conflict, because fire and water cannot mix. Pele dreamed of escape to distant lands. Legend has it that she passed on each Hawaiian island until she came to Haleakala, volcano of Maui. Here there ensued a violent battle, and Pele’s fires were extinguished. Although her body was dead, Pele’s spirit was not, and she became more powerful than ever! She settled permanently in the big deep volcano of Kilauea on the Island of Hawaii, safe from the destructive powers of her sister, Namaka.(Honolulu News)

• Do you have special memory adventures perfect for portrait-making?  Meaningful subjects have meaningful potentials.