A perfect day under full skies finds two men bringing their outrigger canoe on shore while a pair of ladies work the task of preparing the fishing nets on a white sand Hawaiian beach. We strongly believe this to be the eastern shore of Oahu, and the Mokolii point. Carl Brandien visited Hawaii in 1930 and again for a longer spell in 1937-38 and found, as almost all do, that he loved the islands. His art radiates the grandeur to the tall palms and the burst of colorful flowers at their base and in the women’s hair.

The aesthetic style of Brandien’s art proved to have many admirers, and he received commissions and jobs as an illustrator. Carrying his large pack of art supplies everywhere he went, it is easy to picture him in this scene, keeping a respectful distance as an observer to the people about their work.

The sense of peaceful work, beautiful flora and bright, ever-present sunshine set this as a universally appealing painting. Brandien took pride in crossing cultures and boundaries to communicate the shared experience of our lives with his art. This is a striking original composition of Oahu from a time well past, sought after by collectors of Hawaiiana the world over.

Inscribed Verso with Title, Artist Name and Title “The Vagabond Artist” 1938.