Sanctuary

A humpback whale lifts its massive fluke from the luminous waters off Lahaina, cascading water catching the light as Maui’s mountains rise beyond. Layers of blue, turquoise, violet, and reflected sky give the scene a quiet sense of depth and movement.

Origin & Inspiration

I painted Sanctuary years before I would eventually make Hawaiʻi my home. At the time, Maui lived strongly in my imagination. From a young age, I dreamed of someday moving to the islands and opening an art gallery on Front Street in Lahaina—then one of Hawaiʻi’s most celebrated art destinations.

This painting was created from that dream.

I have always felt a deep fascination with the creatures of the ocean and with the enormous world that exists beneath its surface. There is something humbling about sharing this planet with animals whose lives unfold largely beyond our view. Through my art, I find myself continually reaching toward that connection—wanting to know the ocean more deeply, to feel a relationship with the life within it, and to become a better steward of the natural world wherever I can.

Years after Sanctuary was painted, the devastating Lahaina fire changed the meaning of this piece for me in a way I could never have anticipated. What began as a painting inspired by a place I longed to be part of now also carries a memory of Lahaina as I knew and imagined it then.

For me, Sanctuary remains a painting about reverence, hope, belonging, and the pull toward Hawaiʻi that began long before I knew where that dream would eventually lead.

About the Original Artwork

The original Sanctuary was painted in transparent watercolor using a traditional approach that relied on preserving the white of the paper rather than painting white back in later. The luminous whites in the whale, spray, and reflected light all came from the paper itself, carefully protected and revealed throughout the painting process.

The original also includes layers of mineral and semi-precious gemstone pigments woven through areas of the water and reflected light, creating subtle shifts of shimmer and depth that are especially beautiful in person.

While a print cannot fully recreate every surface effect of the original watercolor, it does allow the composition, atmosphere, and spirit of Sanctuary to be enjoyed in a beautiful and accessible form.

Fine Art Print Details

These fine art prints are created from my original 2016 watercolor painting Sanctuary.

Available as:

• Fine Art Paper Print
• Metal Print

Each print is produced to preserve the artwork’s color, movement, and sense of depth as faithfully as possible.

Original Artwork Details

Title: Sanctuary
Artist: Christie Marie Elder
Created: 2016
Original Medium: Watercolor with mineral and semi-precious gemstone pigments
Subject: Humpback whale off Lahaina, Maui, Hawaiʻi
Original Artwork Size: 22" H × 30" W

Copyright

© Christie Marie Elder. All rights reserved.

Purchase of this print does not transfer copyright or reproduction rights. All artwork and imagery remain the property of the artist.

 

---

OPEN EDITION FINE ART PRINT

This is an open-edition fine art reproduction of an original artwork by Christie Marie Elder.

Open-edition prints are created without a fixed edition limit, making them an approachable way to collect and enjoy my artwork while still receiving a professionally produced fine art reproduction.

Each print is made to order using archival-quality materials and professional fine art printing methods.

 

---

COLD PRESS FINE ART PAPER

Printed on a beautiful Cold Press Textured Matte Fine Art Paper, chosen for its rich surface and its ability to complement the character of watercolor and painterly artwork.

The paper is a substantial 340 gsm, 100% cotton rag, acid-free fine art paper with a neutral-white, heavily textured matte surface. Its texture is reminiscent of traditional watercolor paper, allowing color, detail, and subtle variations in the artwork to reproduce beautifully.

Fine art paper prints are sold unframed and unmatted, allowing you to choose a presentation that works with your own space and style.

Because many of my paintings have their own unique proportions, I prefer to preserve the artwork’s original composition rather than crop it simply to fit standard frame dimensions. A custom-cut mat is an easy way to fit the print into a larger standard frame while keeping the complete image visible.

---

METAL PRINT

Metal prints give the artwork a luminous, contemporary presentation with particularly rich color, crisp detail, and beautiful depth.

The image is reproduced onto a polymer-coated aluminum surface using dye-sublimation printing, a process in which the image becomes part of the coated surface rather than sitting on top of it.

The finished print is lightweight, durable, water-resistant, and scratch-resistant, with especially vibrant color and strong contrast.

Each metal print includes an inset frame on the back with hanging wire and arrives ready to hang. The recessed mounting system allows the artwork to sit slightly away from the wall, creating a clean, contemporary floating effect.

Metal is one of my favorite choices for artwork featuring water, tropical color, night skies, reflections, and luminous blues, because the medium can give those colors wonderful visual presence.

Please note: the metal print itself does not recreate metallic or reflective pigments that may be present in the original painting unless specifically stated in the artwork description.

---

AVAILABLE SIZES

Each artwork is offered only in sizes that work well with its composition.

Rather than forcing every image into the same standard proportions, I preserve the artwork’s intended shape whenever possible.

Available sizes for this artwork:

• 13 × 18"
• 19.5 × 27"
• 26 × 36"

Dimensions refer to the printed artwork itself.

---

MADE TO ORDER

Each fine art print is made especially for you after your order is placed rather than pulled from mass-produced inventory.

My professional fine art printing partner produces each piece using calibrated professional printing equipment and archival-quality materials before carefully preparing it for shipment. My partner provides fulfillment, so the print is produced and shipped directly to you as part of Kaua‘i Christie’s Art. 

Because each piece is made to order, please allow several business days for production before shipping.

---

SHIPPING & DELIVERY

Once your print has completed production, it is carefully packaged for shipment and tracking information is provided when available.

Fine Art Paper: Larger paper prints are normally protected and shipped rolled in a sturdy mailing tube. Flat shipping may be available for certain sizes for an additional charge. 

Metal Prints: Metal prints are securely packaged to protect the surface and edges during transit.

Production and shipping are separate stages. Please allow time for your artwork to be created before carrier transit begins. Delivery times vary by destination and shipping method.

For time-sensitive orders, please contact Kaua‘i Christie’s Art before ordering so I can help determine the best available option.

---

ABOUT COLOR & REPRODUCTION

I take care to reproduce the color and character of each original artwork as faithfully as possible.

Please keep in mind that every screen displays color somewhat differently, so the artwork you receive may vary slightly from what you see on your phone, tablet, or computer.

Because an original painting may contain texture, metallic pigments, gemstone watercolor, surface sheen, or other materials that interact physically with light, some qualities of an original simply cannot be duplicated in a reproduction.

When an artwork includes one of these special effects, I’ll note it in the individual artwork description.

---

CARE

Fine Art Paper: Framing behind protective glazing is recommended. Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, moisture, and handling of the printed surface.

Metal: Dust gently with a clean microfiber or soft dry cloth. If deeper cleaning is needed, professional printer recommends warm water or a mild cleanser. Avoid prolonged direct sunlight whenever possible.