Naia Nakai has been a painter since 1985 and has a degree in art from California State University, Chico. Her name has Greek origins meaning "water nymph". She is incredibly inspired by Maui’s natural beauty on land and underwater and loves to share it with others.
In between painting sessions she captains her boat into the deep blue to be with whales, dolphins, turtles and all varieties of reef fish. These experiences have become a catalyst for expressing the joy and peace that emanates from her work.
After spending most of her adult life painting in oils, she became enchanted with the luminescent beauty of painting with permanent dyes on luxurious silk. Silk painting lends itself beautifully to express the fluid nature of island life.
Meaningful art has a way of evoking a feeling in its viewer. Naia’s art brings a sense of peace and joy to those who take it in. There is a special feeling that Hawaii brings with its warm soft air, the sound of water lapping on the shore and immense beauty. This feeling moves through her and onto the silk so you can enjoy a sense of well-being each time you take in one of her works of art.