Manulele | Manu (Bird | Aves)

Jon Apisa. Manulele | Manu (Bird | Aves). 2025. graphite on paper, 5" x 3.5" (12.7cm x 8.89cm).

Artist Notes:

Līhuʻe, Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi September 28, 2025

A few days ago I saw two of these birds. They looked like a finch but I do not know enough to identify them. I drew this freehand in my sketchbook to share with everyone. The size of the beak is too large and other proportions are off. This happens to me when the reference and artwork are not fixed and stabil.

I am however learning to accept and appreciate such errors because they make the composition or in this case the subject unique from the reference and the even the actual bird.

Much of my graphite drawings in this sketchbook have been to practice on technical skill either to help train my eye and/or help to with improving skills in drawing itself.

The errors of freehand drawing this bird allows the reference to become an inspiration to learn more with the process of creating rather than the basis to be duplicated.

- Jon Apisa

I chose to title the artwork “Manulele | Manu” (ird | Aves) in Gagana Sāmoa (Sāmoan language) and ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiʻian language).

I choose to title artwork in both languages because of my Sāmoan family heritage, also because I was raised in Hawaiʻi and lived in Hawaiʻi when I created the artwork.

“Manulele | Manu” (Bird | Aves) drawing by Jon Apisa.

This was drawn with graphite on paper, 5" x 3.5" (12.7cm x 8.89cm).

Bird (Bird) is: