Ipo had been in the Maui Humane Society twice by the time Nichola Moss found him in 1994. His name was Nikki which Nikki, (Nicholas' other name) changed to Ipo, meaning "the beloved" in Hawaiian. The early paintings had names like Ipo loves codependency, Ipo left behind (remnants of the pound experience), and Ipo is Disgruntled with Self Realization.

By 1998 Ipo made his way into many galleries throughout the mainland and appeared on calendars and day books found in many large book stores, including Barnes and Noble.