Paintings & Illustrations

Her Work Is Complete

Commissioned by White Center Hub | “E au le inailau a tamaitai” - This is a Samoan proverb that honors the strength, perseverance, and unity of women who see their work through to the end. This piece is created in tribute to Auntie Sili Savusa, whose decades of leadership and mentorship have shaped our community with that same spirit of dedication and care. The three women represent different stages of growth and learning, reminding us that community is built across generations. Their vibrant colors speak to development and transformation, while the gold and copper leaf woven throughout marks their labor as sacred. This work stands as a celebration of Sili’s legacy and of all the women whose hands, hearts, and guidance continue to hold our community together.

Medium: Acrylic, tapa (mulberry barkcloth), gold & copper leaf on Stretched Canvas, 4ft x 4ft canvas panel triptych

Integrated Confluence

Commissioned by Kent/Des Moines Light Rail Station | This piece celebrates the landscapes and connections that define South King County. taq"ulma? /taq"ulba? (Ta Ko Ba/Tahoma) rises as a guiding presence, watching over the region's land, water, and people. The Sun and Moon provide balance and continuity, while Raven's presence beneath the Sun honors the stories that shape how we understand light, creation, and renewal. Drawing from both local Northwest and Tongan influences, this artwork by Toka Valu reflects the interwoven nature of community, movement, and place.

Medium: Digital vector illustration on light boxes

Merci Pita

Commissioned by Stade Toulousain Top 14 Rugby Union Club - Toulouse, France | The custom “12” design created for Pita Ahki’s final match with French Top 14 Stade Toulousain Rugby Union Club marks a moment of transition, gratitude, and identity. Designed as both a jersey number and a visual tribute, the piece draws from Pita’s dual Tongan and Samoan heritage, weaving these cultural patterns and symmetry into a form that speaks to the strength and balance demanded of that jersey number. In rugby, the number 12 carries the role of connector and communicator who links forwards and backs with power and precision. Pita embodied this fully for 8 years on the pitch with Stade. Created for his final game with the club, the design stands as a gesture of respect to his and his family’s journey in Toulouse while affirming that wherever the game carries him next, he does so grounded in heritage, community, and the enduring presence of his Tongan and Samoan roots.

Medium: Digital raster illustration

Fakatu’i | expanded

Commissioned by The International Examiner - Seattle, WA | Fakatu‘i, originally designed as a steel cutout for Uncle Bob's Place in the C/ID, is reimagined and depicts an ancient Tu‘i Tonga (ancient divine Tongan paramount chieftain) as a symbol of the majesty, strength, and collective brilliance of Pasifika communities. Rooted in Tongan design and cosmology, the piece honors the generations who have built, protected, and uplifted our people through their labor and leadership. It stands as a reminder of the dignity and power carried forward in Pasifika work today.

Medium: Digital raster illustration

Our Eco Kin

Commissioned by The Climate Pledge | This project was inspired by the idea of treating the environment as “kin” or as family. I personified climate as an elderly grandfather, the ocean as a rambunctious little brother, and the earth as a nurturing mother. These relationships were deeply personal, shaped by the loss of my mother in 2017, my baby brother in 2023, and my grandfather in 1998. Their memories guided the emotional tone of each piece. By seeing the environment through the lens of family, “Our Eco Kin” asks us to listen more closely and care more deeply for the world around us. It’s a reminder that when we treat the land, ocean, and climate like our own, we move through the world with greater intention and responsibility.

Medium: Digital Illustration

Seattle Kraken AANHPI Night

Commissioned by The Seattle Kraken | This reimagining of the Seattle Kraken main and secondary logos is a tribute to the strength and resilience of AANHPI communities. Rooted in the cultural legacy of Pasifika and centered on my two children, whose mixed Tongan and Japanese ancestry shaped the emotional heart of this work. This guided my integration of traditional Tongan motifs like “manulua” and “lalava” (construction coconut sinewlashing), alongside Japanese “tengu" and “oni” mask symbolism. Through this piece, I wanted to honor the stories, values, and histories my children carry within them—stories of survival, joy, and deep ancestral pride. It’s a visual expression of legacy and belonging, connecting generations through pattern, symbolism, and the enduring spirit of the people of the Pacific.

Medium: Digital Illustration

Kraken Secondary Logo Final Product

Kraken Secondary Logo Line Work

Kraken Secondary Logo Team Color

Kraken Main logo Final Product

Kraken Main logo Line Work

The Process

Please enjoy the breakdown of my design process while bringing both main and secondary logos of The Kraken to life.

Main Logo

Secondary Logo

Ikigai

Commissioned by Seattle NW Folklife Festival | Created in collaboration with King Khazm for the 2025 Northwest Folklife Festival, this illustration draws from the Japanese concept of “Ikigai,” the intersection of life and purpose. We wanted to express a sense of boundless, flowing life: distinct forms shaped by their unique paths, yet deeply interconnected. Inspired by our shared belief in showing up authentically and trusting the process, the work reflects how purpose often reveals itself through that journey. Motifs from both of our heritages emerge throughout the composition. The mulberry paper bark background is the foundation, symbolizing both tradition and continuity. This artwork stands as a celebration of identity, intention, and the unseen threads that bind us together.

Medium: Digital Illustration

2025 Folklife Ikigai Composition Planning 1

2025 Folklife Ikigai Composition Planning 2

A Great Tree One Day

Commissioned by The Wing Luke Museum | This illustration honors the life and legacy of Wing Luke, whose visionary leadership helped root Seattle’s Chinatown-International District in strength and possibility. At the center, he plants a peach tree sapling, symbolizing growth and the foundations he laid for future generations. Surrounding him are iconic C-ID landmarks and a celebratory dragon puppet, representing the communities that continue to thrive today. Chinese textile-inspired clouds woven with Tonganngatupatterns pay tribute to my heritage and the ancestors who guide us. Set against a textured paper backdrop, the piece celebrates collective storytelling and the enduring impact of Wing Luke’s legacy.

Medium: Digital Illustration

Tūtūpakanava

Inspired by the incense lighting of many Asian cultures and the burning of dried bundled coconut spathes to celebrate the birthday of Tonga’s ruling monarch, this piece honors the many Pasifika leaders, mentors, and loved ones who championed our families and communities for over 200+ years in these coast Salish territories. Commissioned by Radio Station KEXP-FM.

Medium: Digital Illustration

Fakatotofu

Equitable distribution, which is the closest translation I could think of, is a time honored practice known to Tongan people as “Fakatotofu.” This is achieved when distribution of resources remains harmonious and just. Small CBO’s often function within an eco-system tailored to the marginalized communities they serve locally. Meanwhile, large regional nonprofits seem to consistently reap the benefits of big grant funding with very little of those monies going back to the small aforementioned CBO’s. The title is an aspirational one given the current state of nonprofits. Commissioned by Seattle Public Health King County.

Medium: Digital Illustration

Kimu’a-Lolotonga-Kimui

This piece reflects the interchangeable nature of the past, the present, and the future especially in light of a global pandemic. Our ability to relate to one another has shifted in ways we may not yet understand for years to come. The patterned background is an homage to an era since passed though there is much still to look forward to if we continue to lean in to one another. Commissioned by the National Conference on Race & Ethnicity.

Medium: Digital Illustration

Resilience

Inspired by the Pasifika Youth and Communities who showed up to support each other at the onset of the COVID Pandemic. Stylistically influenced by the Tongan barkcloth (ngatu) that was a steady presence in the artist’s childhood. Commissioned by Seattle King County Public Health

Medium: Digital Illustration

Tahi’i Toa

This abstract interpretation is inspired by the Tongan proverb Hange ha tahi’i Toa. It can be directly translated to mean “Like an aged Toa/Ironwood Tree.” The metaphor describes an immensely fortitudinous individual of sturdy forbearance likened to the aged and hardened Toa in its fully grown state.

Medium: Digital Illustration

Those Before Us

This private commission is a dedication to Ancestors always watching over us.

Medium: Acrylic and Masi (Fijian BarkCloth) on 48” x 24” Wood Canvas Board

Maui Toutai Fenua

Maui the boy, apathetically eases his fishing net into the sea in hopes of fishing up a new island though he remains oblivious to the loving bounty all around him. This was the first piece I did following the death of my beloved mother in 2017. It was as much in her honor as it was to bring me back to the Arts.

Medium: Ink (11” x 14”)

Oro

On the island of Tahiti, Oro was the son of Ta’aroa, and the god of War. Legend says he descended to Earth on a rainbow in search of a wife with the help of his sisters. He is depicted here in honor of that legend. Commissioned by Te Fare o Tamatoa Dance Academy. | June 2018

Medium: Ink and Paint Pens (11” x 14”)