All Lei's Returned | Matted Print

This painting comes from the stories from countless submariners I met in Hawaii. The stories came in to me about how the sea life followed the Navy subs. Whales seemingly "fall in love" with the familiar shape of the subs and dolphins play in the wakes and follow them for many miles under the sea. So I choose to believe and celebrate this idea.

A tradition from old Hawaii is that when a loved one left the island by outrigger, a lei was thrown far into the sea, with the wish that that loved one, like the lei, would return to the shore safely. So, here the sub is given a giant Lei placed around the tower, made of a huge string of colorful plastic inflated bags that look just like a king size lei! Families wait to welcome them on shore and docks. This painting shows this inspiration.

The proud sub eagerly approaches the shallower coast of Hawaii's home waters, as all the native sea life there escort it to where their families await them on the dock. All the native creatures following represent attributes of the U.S Navy, including the modern subs today. Some have sonar, some fly, and some are large and powerful. There are many layers of symbolism in this painting.

This piece is dedicated to my friends serving somewhere beneath the waves to and from the Far East and more--may they always return home safely--to be celebrated with colorful lei's and hugs."--Tom Thordarson

Creative storyteller Tom Thordarson shows a beautiful rosy Hawaiian sky, colossal submarine, and tropical wildlife in this military art. Honor your military heroes with this playful nautical art print by Thor.