I sold my first oil painting in 1989 when I was 40. Uncle Walter bought “Garden at Moanalua” from the trunk of my car, and I was thrilled because he was a man of good taste. After he died I learned that my cousin Millie inherited it. I’m happy the painting is still in the family.
In 2011 another Native Hawaiian artist reminded me to reserve “one work per year” for a retrospective collection. The pieces I selected are either paintings I already decided to keep, what I have taken off the market for this purpose and like, or works in the private collections of people I felt comfortable enough to ask, “May I come to photograph the painting?” I’m still in the process of gathering the electronic images.
My most prolific period so far (35 original oils) was 1993-1994 when I devoted my time to recording Ka‘a‘awa town and the ‘ili of ‘Īoleka‘a on canvas. Most of the paintings from the one-person shows were purchased.
There was a 5-year hiatus from 1998-2002 when I concentrated my energy on developing the Hale Kū‘ai Cooperative that bought and sold Native Hawaiian made products. In 2003 I began to paint regularly in the landscape of Ho‘omaluhia Botanical Garden in the Luluku area of Kāne‘ohe.
In 2014 at 65 I was honored to deliver a commission that was a collaboration of visual ideas between me and the patron. Starting 2015 I began making collages with hand-dyed tissue paper. — Rebekah Luke
Gas Pumps in Paradise – 1993
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Anita’s Place | Kaiwikee | Edge of the Forest |
Unforgettable Iolekaa – 1994 triptych – Artist’s Collection
Yellow Plumeria – 1995 – Carol Takahashi Collection

Water Lilies in Paper – 2016 / 18″ x 24″ hand-dyed tissue paper on canvas panel — Susan Arnett Collection

A Lovely Afternoon — 2017 / 20″ x 16″ hand-dyed tissue paper collage on canvas — Rebecca L. Covert Collection
I think you will, Linda.
I really enjoyed looking at these and seeing your journey over more than twenty years. You inspire me to keep on painting. I want to be able to see all those colors and paint them.
What a surprise! I consider that a compliment. Thank you.
Rebekah there is something in your work that reminds me of Madge Tennent.
Good stuff.
Leilani Kama….formerly Cosmio
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