The word lanipō means “dense, dark, lush, as of plants, rain; said of luxuriant growth.” While the imagery presented in this drawing draws great inspiration from my father’s lush garden, the additive and reductive process of working with charcoal allows me to both reveal and conceal areas within the rain forest-like scenery that I am accustomed to. This piece serves as an evergrowing metaphor that will expand as I add more pieces to represent my continuous journey to learn and reacquaint myself with aspects related to my home, my culture, the land, the language, and more.