Which is Your Favorite Hawaiian Orchid Oil Painting?

Published December 19, 2016 | By Elizabeth Weintraub

Cattleya orchid oil painting from Hawaii #A

On the wall in my house in Hawaii, before I started fixing ceiling cracks from the earthquake, hung a Hawaiian orchid oil painting by a well known local artist. The artist has since left the islands, but he was a close friend of the tenants. They removed the painting when we commenced repair work on the house.

But during the time it hung here, I became very attached to it. I did not expect the tenants to sell it to me because it was a gift from the artist. Being internet savvy, I tracked down the artist and asked if he had any more similar to this painting. He sent me 5 images from the series he completed 5 or so years back. Said he was moving and would ship it to me.

It is not an inexpensive piece of art. By inexpensive, I mean $500 for a 3-foot by 4-foot original Hawaiian orchid oil painting. There is something incredibly special about this artist, like all artists you love. I can afford to buy only one. I had been hoping to buy at least 4 or 5, but that’s not going to happen.

Part of the problem is when you spend a lot of money on something like this, it tends to own you instead of you owning it. If somebody stole it or it was damaged in a fire, I’d be heartbroken. I can’t say I would feel that way about any material object I own. Everything could go up in smoke and it could be replaced. But not this. So I am torn.

I am also conflicted about choosing a Hawaiian orchid oil painting. The horizontal painting A up above is not in the running since my husband pointed out Rocket J. Squirrel. Like he said: “Once you see it, it can’t be unseen.” Look at it. You’ll see it. In fact, you can hear Rocky say, “and now for something you’ll really like.”

Among the choices below, which would you choose? Just tell me what you think, OK? Should it be B, C, D or E?