I'm Hank Taufaasau

Born in Hawaii, raised in Lanakila and moved to Manoa Valley at age 13 From Kalihi to Manoa made for an interesting transition. My interest in art was evident at an early age. "I grew up copying everything in the comics, Dick Tracy, Terry and the Pirates and Blondie. I thank my mother for the foresight of enrolling me in the Honolulu Academy of Arts instructional programs at age 11.

At Honolulu's St. Louis High School, I was usually the lone student of Brother Nicholas Waldech's lunchtime non-credit art classes. "He taught draftsmanship. I wanted to use paints and colors. He insisted that I learn to draw. Brother Nick painted using oils directly from the tube. I was at UH when the Art Dept consisted of Ed Stazak, and Jean Charlot. It wasn't until much later that I had an inkling of the effects of mixing and muting of colors, though some would contend that maybe I still haven't figured it out."

My art business has been designated as a "Trusted Art Seller" with The Art Storefronts Organization, which means you can shop with confidence, and know that I stand behind the quality and value of my products.

INSTINCTS AGAINST THE GRAIN, - a bold and often surprising sense of color, a daring sense of composition, and an occasional bit of enigma ...has also adopted a visual strategy thickening and darkening con-tours that give his work particular impact ... a sense of mystery." 

-Marcia Morse, Sunday Star Bulletin and Advertiser, 1/20/1985 

All floral/arboreal paintings are from my yard in Manoa Valley