Tropical Flame

A deep magenta Hawaiian ginger rises through brilliant tropical foliage, glowing against saturated greens, turquoise, and blue.

Tropical Flame is a fine art print of my original 2018 watercolor— a celebration of tropical color, brilliant sunlight, and just a little sweet heat.

Origin & Inspiration

One of the things I love most about red ginger is its extraordinary depth of color.

The blossoms can move from vivid pink and crimson into almost wine-colored shadows, while the surrounding leaves seem to contain every possible version of tropical green.

But there was something else about the flower that always made me smile.

To me, a tall ginger bloom looks a little like a daytime tiki torch rising through the garden.

And from there, the title practically named itself.

A Tropical Flame

For me, the title carries another meaning too.

There is something about being in the tropics with someone you love—the warm air, slower evenings, music, beautiful surroundings, and freedom from ordinary routines—that can make an already familiar love feel a little more illuminated.

It isn't necessarily about starting a new flame.

It's about the one that's already there—the kind that can be stoked, strengthened, and made brighter when two people get the chance to simply enjoy one another.

Perhaps that's part of why I've always loved flowers as a gift between people who share a life. They can say quite a lot without needing many words:

I see you.
I choose you.
And I still feel the flame.

In Tropical Flame, that feeling is wrapped in the colors of the islands—lush greens, brilliant sunlight, deep magenta, and just a little sweet heat. 🔥😉

 

About the Original Artwork

The original Tropical Flame was created entirely in transparent watercolor.

One of the disciplines I value most in watercolor is allowing the paper itself to create the brightest whites rather than painting them back in afterward.

There is no white paint in the original painting.

The luminous light areas are preserved watercolor paper. The brilliant starburst of sunlight striking the leaf was created differently: that flash was carefully revealed back through the painted surface, along with subtle gemstone shimmer accents.

Those physical details—transparent pigment, paper, and shifting shimmer—belong uniquely to the original watercolor.

The fine art print preserves the color, composition, tropical luminosity, and visual energy of Tropical Flame, while the changing surface effects remain part of the original artwork's one-of-a-kind character.

Fine Art Print Details

These fine art prints are created from my original 2018 watercolor painting Tropical Flame.

Available as:

Fine Art Paper Print
Metal Print

Each print is produced to preserve the vibrant tropical color, strong contrast, and luminous quality of the original artwork as faithfully as possible.

Original Artwork Details

Title: Tropical Flame
Artist: Christie Marie Elder
Created: 2018
Original Medium: Watercolor
Original Artwork Size: 14" H × 21" W
Original Artwork Price: $9,000

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.

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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.

 

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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.

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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.

 

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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:

• 14 × 21"
• 18 × 27"
• 24 × 36"

Dimensions refer to the printed artwork itself.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.