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'i'iwi (Drepanis coccinea) in Haleakala Sandalwood (Santalum haleakalae var. haleakalae)

'i'iwi (Drepanis coccinea) in Haleakala Sandalwood (Santalum haleakalae var. haleakalae) , Botany
'i'iwi (Drepanis coccinea) in Haleakala Sandalwood (Santalum haleakalae var. haleakalae)
A common story I hear from people in Hawaii is how the islands used to be covered in sandalwood forests. The meaning of their narrative is that the forest is gone because of people, things used to be better, we screwed up...

Haleakala Sandalwood or 'iliahi is found only on the island of Maui and while this variety is considered endangered and only found above 6,000 feet elevation it is still easily seen along the roadside on the way to the summit. The forest that 'iliahi is a part of is scattered and remnant but still there. Hawaiian honeycreepers are an endemic family of birds which has lost most of its species in the last hundreds years due to human interactions. 'i'iwi is a beautiful member of that family still found high on Haleakala and other places in Hawaii but has disappeared in the lowlands and on several islands. It could be lost as well if we aren't careful.

Knowing that these things still exist is important for their conservation. I hope with my art to inspire others about these species and places. Nathan Belmont and I have spent a large part of our lives on the island of Maui and never fail to recognize that we live in a very special place. Our chosen medium is flameworked glass and we feel blessed to have a way to express ourselves and hopefully inspire others.

We made made several trips to an area where it's possible if not always easy for the public to see an 'i'iwi feed from a Haleakala Sandalwood. We were very lucky to see a scene very much like the one we planned and ended up creating. After choosing our subject Nathan used his hollow sculptural ability to create the 'i'iwi while used my botanical knowledge to create the Sandalwood. Many different color tests had to be tried before settling on the variety of color layer combinations. The leaves are made from five different colors in five different combinations with at least three layers of color on each for example. With our years of practice and new colors available in the borosilicate color palette we can breathe life into our sculpture and give these species the beauty they deserve.

Mahalo & Aloha

Jupiter Nielsen
&
Nathan Belmont
  Just please check the spelling! Everyone gets Nielsen wrong
Botany    8 x 13 x 11    $4,000.00   
Bio
Jupiter Nielsen's love of the natural world started as a child, catching bugs in the garden and playing in the tide pools where he grew up in the Puget Sound of Washington state. While living on a tropical island in the middle of the pacific ocean he found Flameworked glass, a medium that has given him a creative outlet for his passion.

"Flameworking glass became part of My life within the first month after moving to Maui in 1996. I gained a wealth of knowledge about Hawaii’s native plants through countless hours hiking, taking photographs and volunteering with many conservation groups. As my botanical knowledge increased so did my skill at working with glass. Each piece is a puzzle that takes time, energy and skill to solve. Glass presents a wonderful challenge I thoroughly enjoy, never working the same way twice".

Over Jupiter's 24 years working with glass he has been lucky enough to give demonstrations overseas, assist teaching at world renowned craft schools including Penland School of Craft, The Corning Museum of Glass and the Pilchuck Glass School as well as work with and teach other amazing artists. He creates his borosilicate sculpture for private collections, galleries and a growing Instagram community of collectors.

"Through glass sculpture, I endeavor to inspire others by sharing the love and passion I have for the natural world" ­ - Jupiter Nielsen