I am one of those travelers who must return with a memento from a Journey – I’m primarily interested in local art, jewelry or textiles – music if I can find it, and spices… I love recreating a divine dinner and using exotic blends from spice markets or local farmers.

My home is dotted with art from Cuba, Mendoza, Istanbul and Africa. Some pieces are from street artists, but many pieces were purchased from an artists’ studio visit during my travels.

I always visit grocery stores, marveling at the sometimes-ancient refrigeration systems, in Bora Bora I saw frozen hamburgers sold as American treats…you learn much about local culture in the frozen food aisle.

If I can meet with local artists, even better! A few of my clients are serious art collectors and the chance of sharing an afternoon with an artisan adds layers of value to a journey. One of my clients visiting the Faroe Islands had seen their woolens and at her request, we found a knitter to create a specific pattern on several pairs of mittens, she was thrilled!

At the Four Seasons in Bora Bora, the hotel is filled with the lively brilliant paintings of a local artist: Garrick Yrondi, known as Yrondi. I was obsessed with the bright whimsical fish and flamboyant lady portraits; they popped up at the spa, in the restaurants and surprisingly, underwater as well!

My motto: always ask for what you want…yes, is frequently the response. May I visit the artist? Hours after my arrival, the dedicated Four Seasons concierge confirmed a Sunday afternoon meeting with Yrondi.

To the boatmen: how will I know this man at the harbor? Oh, he has a big personality, you won’t miss him! Indeed…

A man in shorts and long black stockings wildly waving a brochure met me and greeted me in French- oh dear…I can order meals, but conversation in French? Non!Off we were, I with a stranger whose car had an incessant warning ping only interrupted by his cell phone ringing every 30 seconds… this will be an adventure! We arrive at his lovely Mediterranean style villa, perched above the town and directly facing the towering Mount Otemanu.

The Frenchman has brought his village to Polynesia – he taught locals to fabricate columns and cement the fluted red tiles to his roof line, a roof line flowing with brilliant fuchsia colored bougainvillea. It’s abundantly clear this man is gifted and creative!

Yrondi is a descendant of four generations of artists, his carefree parents brought him to Bora Bora as a toddler; after 10 years he continued his studies in France that also included a cultural exchange in Central Africa.

Nostalgic for the joyful pure world of the Polynesians he returned in 1978. His first major project after returning was a wonderful fresco for the annunciation of Mary, for the chapel of Ua Pou. After a stay in Papeete and Moorea he moved on to Bora Bora. At the request of the editor of Salvador Dali, he also created a mosaic for the bottom of his swimming pool.

Living above the valley, his creativity is unbounded and stimulated by the brilliant light, the constantly changing sky and the clear blue lagoon. He mixes his own pigments to create exquisite oil paintings depicting flamboyant fish and an extensive line of mythical Polynesian goddesses, painted in the luscious hues of the island palette.

My delightful afternoon was spent wandering each gallery, entranced by his creativity.  The setting is divine and the Mediterranean style villa is completely unexpected in this tropical paradise. Yrondi’s use of vivid colors mirror the horizon and the mountain hillside. Besides paintings, he also sculpts in marble and bronze.I am still pondering a brightly colored fish, which spoke to me. Appointments necessary to visit Yrondi’s studio. www.yrondi.pf

Snorkeling in the Four Seasons lagoon the next day with on property marine biologist Oliver Martin, he surprised me by sharing underwater marvels created by Yrondi and Oliver. Yrondi sculpted beautiful porcelain heads on which Oliver has attached coral – the coral has grown, creating a living garden in the lagoon. Astonishing underwater surprise. Sometimes art can be found where you least expect it.