JoAnn Stepien - I'Iwi Birds

Watercolor painting by JoAnn Stepien from the Hawaii Watercolor Society.

Artist Statement: Hawai'i is home to exquisite and rare flora and fauna, making it ideal for the watercolor medium. A diminishing 'Ohi'a Lehua forest, home to the threatened I'iwi bird, inspired the use of the Chinese 3-line composition, Lian Quan Zhen’s “give life to your animals,” and layered color for value.