Good Morning Geckos

Good Morning Geckos was inspired by mornings I spent living on the North Shore of O‘ahu, where sunrise papayas became part of my daily ritual. I never liked papaya until I tried fresh sunrise papaya picked directly from the property where I was staying. Every morning, I would prepare it with yogurt and peanut butter while the resident Madagascar day geckos slowly emerged to join me for breakfast.

At first they were cautious, but over time they became part of my routine, playful, curious, and completely fearless. They would sneak bites of papaya beside me like tiny colorful puppies, and eventually I found myself looking forward to saying good morning to them each day.

Painted in watercolor on handmade paper, this piece captures the joy, color, and softness of those quiet island mornings through layered tropical blues, fresh papaya tones, botanical silhouettes, and delicate gecko detail. While Madagascar day geckos are technically an invasive species in Hawai‘i, they have become deeply familiar little characters throughout the islands, loved for their bright colors, expressive personalities, and unmistakable charm.

Through this painting, I wanted to preserve a small moment of everyday island life that felt joyful, intimate, and deeply connected to nature.

✦ Original watercolor on handmade paper
✦ Framed size: 12 × 16 inches
✦ Artwork size: approximately 9 × 12 inches
✦ Deckled handmade paper edges
✦ One-of-one original artwork
✦ Signed by the artist & custom embossed signature
✦ Created in Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i by Liliane Avalos