PONO: a moniker that means ‘Righteousness’ in the Hawaiian tradition

Raised amid the rugged beauty of West Texas and New Mexico cattle ranches, PONO draws deep inspiration from the mythic landscapes and resilient spirit of the American Southwest. His upbringing instilled a profound respect for land, labor, and storytelling—values that now pulse through every brushstroke of his work. Rooted in the traditions of frontier folklore but charged with a contemporary sensibility, PONO’s style is best described as Neo-Western: a bold, cinematic blend of modern graphic art and timeless archetypes.

PONO’s signature characters—often anthropomorphic beings clad in cowboy hats, boots, or battle-worn cloaks—are not merely figures on canvas; they are symbols of perseverance, transformation, and silent endurance. Often depicted at a moment of trial or transition, these characters serve as open-ended allegories, inviting the viewer to project their own struggles and interpretations onto the narrative. The use of stark linework, vibrant palettes, and charged compositions gives his work an emotional gravity that resonates beyond regional confines.

In recent years, PONO’s work has begun attracting serious attention from collectors and curators alike, with exhibitions in emerging contemporary art spaces across the Southwest and a growing base of private collectors who recognize the lasting power of his iconography. His pieces speak to a new generation of Western art—one that respects its roots while forging a distinctly modern mythology.

Whether hung in a rustic adobe gallery or a sleek urban loft, PONO’s paintings hold the same frontier magic: stories of grit, spirit, and survival, told through characters who seem at once ancient and entirely new.

Be sure to follow him on instagram, @ponopinto 

Full Collection  Available Paintings