Mango Fandango
INSPIRATION
Mangoes are always special.
Fancy. Soft. Sweet. Round.
Celebratory and luxurious.
So this is what I infused in the figures, tones, and shapes.
It feels warm and sweet and happy.
I learned so much about mangoes doing this painting.
Eg.
🥭The paisley pattern on bandanas originates from mangoes.
🥭The leaves from a mango tree are believed to repel negative energy and attract prosperity and fertility in India where the mango is believed to originate.
ARTWORK
The starting point was the heads of the women, which followed an exact formation of mangoes hanging on a tree. Everything went from this point.
I used the colours of mangoes: orange, yellow, red, green, coral, purple. Tropical, sweet and glowy.
I used the curvy shapes of oval mangoes, long pointy leaves, and delicate long red stems laden with pale yellow tiny mango flowers.
Metallic colours of gold and copper added luxe and celebration.
This is the story of Mango Fandango.
(I used fandango in the sense of fun, party and dance).
Me Time
This painting is about trying to capture the individual experience of looking inside for clarity and truth and looking outside for strength or inspiration.
I painted it as I was learning to meditate.
An unlikely sources of artistic inspiration in this depiction of a Samoan woman is mosque architecture.
Memory of Flight
Musing on the paradox of permanence. What lasts? Bone? Or a butterfly’s brief beauty?
“Butterfly and Bone”
Only $10 USD (approx currency conversion).
My Time
The image that comes to mind is a figure inside an hourglass with most of her body in the lower half and just a head and arm reaching through to the top half.
I decided on the most simplistic abstract form following the style of Matisse.
It seemed to make the image more universal.
Everyone knows the feeling of time running out but not giving up.
Natural Woman
Craving nature, feeling anti-technology, craving authenticity, resenting clocks and calendars and dresscodes, imagining living off the land, channeling ancestors, craving trees and fruit, and fresh air.
Pacific Blue Madonna
The original painting was exhibited and sold at the Regenerating Oceania Exhibition at the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture in Honolulu 6-16 June 2024.
This print is a deep statement about motherhood and the crucial role mothers have in sustaining society in Oceania.
Pisupo Pacific
This print features a favourite food in Samoa: Corned Beef or Pisupo.
Like artists for centuries, I teach myself about painting by doing my own versions of the great masters and modern icons.
Personally, I’ve never been attracted to the artwork by American artist Andy Warhol (1928-1987), but corned beef cans gave me the perfect opportunity to explore his work. Step into the experience of studying the minutiae of mundane objects and products.
It was interesting and it gave me a new appreciation.
Popouli
Popouli is a painting that uses the life stages of a coconut to represent the optimal timing for regrowth and regeneration.
Pretty Crabby
This print by Lalovai Peseta features his signature style of tatau patterns and the monochromatic palette he does so well.
Samoa Coloring Pages – Halu Bongo!
Bring your favorite Samoan dog Bongo to life with FOURTEEN printable coloring pages from the original HALU BONGO storybook for kids. Simply download, then print on your home printer with settings on \’Fill page\’, grab some bright crayons, and your child has everything they need for a fun activity. Pair with the the ebook of HALU BONGO, read the story out loud together in Samoan and English, and help reinforce your child\’s confident learning of Gagana Samoa. These bold coloring pages are all familiar scenes straight from home here in Beautiful Samoa. Only $3.50 USD (approx currency conversion).
Original paintings by Nikki Mariner. Adapted for coloring pages format by Bella Young.
Samoan Alphabet Poster
Learn the Samoan Alphabet! A Fun, Educational Poster for Kids & Toddlers (Digital Download).
Includes a high resolution PDF file to be printed!
Part of a set
Samoan Colors Poster
Learn your Samoan colors! A Fun, Educational Poster for Kids & Toddlers (Digital Download).
Includes a high resolution PDF file to be printed.
Apart of a 3 set.













