Hawaii Artist Shirley Pu Wills

SELECTED WORKS

Nine Fantail Koi Fishes Swimming Upstream This artwork is an auspicious piece and a good fortune Feng Sui orientation for one’s home. The pronunciation for number nine in Chinese is the same word for everlasting, and fishes denote wealth. There are many aspects of wealth: not only monetary, but health, wisdom, having the riches of many friends and happiness. Carps swimming upstream are likened to a man who overcomes all obstacles to reach his goals (usually wealth and success). When a fish comes upon a waterfall, he flies above it and twists to become a dragon; hence, he becomes a millionaire!
Orange, Red and Blue Koi Fish The middle fish is modeled after a Sanke Koi, which in Japan are considered the most desirable breed of Koi Fish. In koi contests (like dog shows, but for fish), connoisseurs look for a symmetrical red spot on the head, which should be large, with a white lustrous base and Sume-e-like or black spotting throughout. Such fish are highly prized, and can sell for thousands of dollars. Blue Koi fish, like the one on the right, feed on the Japanese seaweed enagi, which enhance their their fine blue color.
Volcano Cymbidium Orchids I live on the west side of the the Big Island in Captain Cook, named after the discoverer who anchored his ship in Kealakakua Bay just 1200 ft. below me. The Big Island has great biodiversity and climatic differences due to its different elevations and the flow of trade winds affecting precipitation. There is an active volcano called Mauna Loa, that at high elevations create fernlike prehistoric forest environment that nurtures these beautiful cymbidiums which I bought at a shop in an area called Volcano. In the package were four colors of sprigs of Cymbidium: chartreuse, a purple magenta, light pink magenta and a chrome yellow orange one. They have elongated leaves which rise and twist as they turn downwards due to gravity. As soon as I returned home, I began to paint with watercolors on white silk adhered to rice paper that was specially prepared and created, inspired by these lovely flowers.
Wandering Roses This three paneled painting of wandering roses is more of an atmospheric or mood painting. It is sold as a triptych, however each piece can also be purchased individually, as well.
Lotusing Lotus leaves are large and round ,towering about the pond. This is more of an abstract or atmospheric piece with subtle coloring and using the side of the traditional Chinese Brush, leaving memories of the strokes behind. It is one of my favorite pieces.
Lotus - Calm Within The Storm The floral petals of the lotus remain placid and calm, while the wind swept pond water and the leaves are moving madly within a storm. The blossoms are
likened to the eye of a hurricane, in much the same way that peace and tranquility can exist in our lives in the midst of crises. This is an emotional piece for me, and states the nature our lives.
A'kiopola'au and the Jaaranda Tree The 'akiapola'au bird is only found on the Big Island of Hawaii. It lives at elevations above 3,000 feet in the 'ohi'a and koa forests on the slopes of our tall volcanoes. This is another of the endangered birds that I've included in my art, not only for its beauty, but to draw attention to the plight of these rare creatures. In Hawaii, spring is ushered in by the blooming of the brilliant lavender Jacaranda trees. In late March and April, the jacarandas fill with purple blooms. The tree's canopy can turn all purple, so that the landscape is enlivened by masses of lavender. The purple petals fall to the ground, creating a colorful ground cover. When the Jacarandas are by the side of the road, it can look like you are driving across a lavender plain. This painting was done in a spontaneous style, with ink and chinese watercolors on prepared champagne silk.
I'wi Bird on Banana Tree The apple banana tree at the center of this painting grew outside my window in Captain Cook. Apple bananas are the best tasting kind ever, and you won't find them in supermarkets. They are sweet and mildly tart, and slightly smaller than regular bananas. Mine started as a small potted plant that looked so feeble that I feared it wouldn't survive. It quickly became a banana grove, though, and I harvested many bunches from those trees. I included the I'iwi bird because it is an endangered species of indigenous bird on our island. At one time, this bird was found at all altitudes, even in coastal areas. The native Hawaiians used to capture them and use their treasured feathers for capes, headgear, and other ornaments. Contact with the outside world introduced viruses and competing species that decimated the native birds, except at higher elevations. Today, the I'iwi birds only survive in our forests above 2,000 feet.
Bamboo Leaves With Setting Sun There are multitude of bamboo species found on this island and many who ritualize the setting of the sun. The graceful leaves of the bamboo plant frame the sun as it sinks for the night in this classic subject.
Sanke Koi and Lotus Sanke Koi Fishes are prized Koi fishes amongst Koi connoisseurs for the red markings on the head, white lustrous scales and Sumi-e or black markings. Lotus is a Buddhist metaphor of ones’ inner spiritual growth. The blossom symbolize enlightenment or Nirvana.
Butterfly Koi Fish of Wealth and Abundance When I was first painting these Butterfly Koi Fish with Chinese watercolors on champagne gold silk, the flow and mood I was in was graceful and experimental, playing with the curves of the lines in their white fins. I favor this particular species of Koi, whose fins have long wings like scarves, and thus they are named Butterfly Koi Fishes. This is another auspicious painting, because in the Asian culture, the symbol for wealth is a fish, and the number three is a model amount of gifts to present someone in Japan. Notice all the gold coins in the base of the pond. My painting Koi Fishes on gold silk was originally inspired by a visit to my friend Marta's Koi pond. The first day I visited Marta's house, there was a walkway leading to the entrance of her home, and below were graceful Fantailed Koi Fish swaying about in hues of yellow, orange, black and white. It was a marvelously welcome sight with flowing waterfalls, lily pads and lotuses.
Nine Ribbon Dancing Butterfly Koi Fish I painted this because the pronunciation for nine in Chinese also means everlasting. The symbolism of fish denotes wealth in Chinese culture, so this is an auspicious painting. So its everlasting wealth in health, wisdom, luck and the riches of having many friends. I had a personal experience by a Koi fish pond, when I touched the water with my index fingers and as a result, a multitude of Koi Fishes approached me, thinking they were being fed. They climbed one upon another and this image was inspired by that experience. I prefer a special species of Koi called Butterfly Koi because of their long scarf like fins that flow gracefully like a Chinese Ribbon dancer's long silk scarves. This painting has a dynamic effect upon the viewer, as it has crescendo and multiplicity, much like a great symphony. It's a remarkable piece to own.
Koi and White Hibiscus Hibiscus waimeae is a small, gray-barked tree up to 30 feet tall. The upper surface of the leaves is light green while the lower surface is covered with velvety hairs which make it appear grayish. The single flowers last only one day. They are white when they open in the morning and they fade to pink in the afternoon. The flowers occur towards the ends of the branches and have a strong, sweet fragrance. Butterfly koi are similar to traditional Koi, but are equipped with long and flowing decorative fins. The first Koi fishes were developed in Japan during the 19th century, but the Butterfly Koi has a history no longer than a few decades. Due to its hybrid origin, Butterfly Koi is seldom appreciated at traditional Koi shows. It does however have a strong fan club and many people love these fish regardless of genetics. Butterfly Koi come in many different color patterns, just like the traditional Koi. White, orange, yellow or combinations of all three colors are common.
Bougainvillea of Passion This piece is a sprig of Bougainvillea which flourishes all about us. It is a mood or atmospheric wonder.
Roses in a Glass Vase I love roses and am glad to see them thriving here in the tropics. These pink, orange and yellow roses have been arranged within a glass vase with water and are a delight for everyone.
Bougainvillea of Paradise Bougainvillea are native to South America from Brazil west to Peru and south to southern Argentina. The plant was classified by Philibert Commercon, a French botanist accompanying French Navy admiral and explorer Louis Antoine de Bougainville in 1768. The actual flower of the plant is small and generally white, surrounded by bracts with bright colors of pink, magenta, purple, red, orange, white or yellow. Bougainvillea glabra is referred to as “paper flower” because the bracts are thin and papery.
Peony in a Glass Vase Peonies symbolize happiness and prosperity in China, and if two peonies are presented next to each other, it means double happiness. In this painting, there are more than two, so it must suggest many, many happinesses!
Two Cranes Cranes symbolize longevity, along with the pine tree. This painting is about tranquility, calm, peacefulness and respect for the elderly.
Two Playful Butterfly Koi Fish As I am watching from above the water, I see down below two languid, gracefully swimming Koi fishes. I feel relaxed, blissful and peaceful. When I am painting, I am in that state, and I impart some of my own innocence and serenity in their representation. These Koi fishes are beautifully colored. I've rendered each scale with much detail. I've had lovers gift this piece to the other, as they identified these two Koi as themselves, one lovingly touching the other in a gentle kiss, gliding gracefully, and playfully new to each other as a pair.
Ipu Ipu is a Hawaiian gourd. Historically, they have been carved while still green and then dyed after drying. They were used for many purposes, including as a drum for Hula. I love the plant as they grow amongst leaves and their vines.
Fragrance of Peonies This is one of my favorite Peony pieces, which symbolize prosperity and happiness. It is high quality artwork and is one of my treasures.

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