I love where I live. What about you? Do you love your home? Your surroundings? Your place in your community? Your place matters because it is in your place that you really live. It’s where you share experiences with others, enjoy the unique character of your surroundings, and live your one best life.
I’ve been writing a series of blogs on all the reasons I love living in the beautiful community of Hawaii Kai. To a large degree, my love for this place has a lot to do with the people who reside here. Special people. Friendly people. Talented people.
Artist Toni Parras finds comfort and inspiration in nature (c) Toni Parras, Hibiscus Studio
Today, I’d like to spotlight a very special person – an artist – who resides in our community. Toni Parras does great work and her mission is even greater – to bring joy, wonderment, comfort and connection to people through the power of art. I love her passion, her art, and her vision. Toni truly wants people to take time out of their busy lives to appreciate the world around them through art and nature. She also wants us to realize the innate artist within ourselves.
Now, I’m no artist, but I do appreciate talent and Toni is talented. She’s also very philosophical. Her studio is called Hibiscus Studio because hibiscus only live for one day before closing up—never to reopen. What a reminder to savor the beauty in life and to treasure the present. The name of Toni’s studio is fitting and perhaps a wake-up call to savor the simple moments in life. Moments.That.Matter.
Dusky Hibiscus, hand-painted black-and-white photography (c) Toni Parras, Hibiscus Studio
Toni’s art showcases the beauty of Hawaii and beyond. I particularly like her flowers, but you’ll find landscapes and contemporary art, too. Toni’s images are original and her signature style combines black-and-white photography (she’s an award-winning photographer) with hand-painted artistry. Simple subjects are transformed into vibrant expressions of wonder. Each piece begins as a black-and-white image, then comes alive through Toni’s meticulous hand-painting process, which includes the use of oils, chalks, pastels, watercolors, dyes and pencils.
Fallen Tree, hand-painted black-and-white photography (c) Toni Parras, Hibiscus Studio
Beached Canoe, hand-painted black-and-white photography (c) Toni Parras, Hibiscus Studio
Toni’s painstaking process and efforts are evident in her work and so are her love and passion for nature and beauty. Her intimate portraits of hibiscus flowers and island landscapes invite you to pause, reflect and reconnect with the natural world that surrounds us.
Rainbow Hibiscus, hand-painted black-and-white photography (c) Toni Parras, Hibiscus Studio
Toni’s art sparks a sense of wonder and connection and reminds us of our vital relationship with the natural world. The fact that Toni lives and works in Hawaii Kai gives her plenty of enticing subjects, and her presence, her art, and her contribution to our community give us a reason to pause, reflect and to be grateful for her and for this place we call home.
Barbara fremineur
May 21, 2025
Absolute purely beautiful. What size are these ?
Toni Parras
May 22, 2025
> Aloha Barbara, thanks for the comment! The pieces range in size from 8×10 inches all the way up to 30×40 inches or even larger, depending on the particular artwork. They all come ready to hang, either matted and framed, canvas or metal. Custom orders also available. Please visit my website for more info and artworks. HibiscusStudio.Art. Mahalo! Toni