June 5, 2008

A visit to Waimanalo

I had an inspection in Waimanalo this morning. It’s on the far end of the island from me and I haven’t been there in a while. Listen to Country Comfort singing Waimanalo Blues in the video above while I tell you about it. You’ll hear a long instrumental interlude before the vocals start. Listen to the whole thing. Trust me.

Waimanalo is on the Windward side, as far as you can get from me without falling off the island. In geography it’s as different as anything on Oahu can get from my dry Leeward Coast. It’s cooler, damper, greener. The beaches are amazing. There are more trees growing close to the water than on my side, so there’s plenty of shade to sit in while you stop in for your lunch break.

Like the Waianae Coast, Waimanalo is far from the urban bustle, so there weren’t many people on the two beaches where I spent some time today. There were orange flags up and down the shore to warn of a rough surf, but that didn’t keep this group of kids from skipping school and enjoying some board time.

Waimanalo Bay Recreation Area has an obscure entrance attained by going through a residential neighborhood, much like my favorite Secret Cove, but at least this one is on the map. You can find it without much effort.

Waimanalo also has a high crime problem in common with Waianae. A home along the entrance path to the rec area carries a warning for the uninformed. Lock you car and take your camera with you, but I was perfectly comfortable mingling with Waimanalo folks today and certainly didn’t feel threatened.

This Hobie Cat is on the beach right behind the house with the warning posted on the fence. The homeowner must feel comfortable leaving it there, despite the dire message, don’t you think?

Waianae and Waimanalo are both considerd “country” by folks who don’t live on the ends of the island. Yeah, they pretty much are. I passed riding stables, dog kennels and orchid farms all along Kalanianaole Highway as I meandered around. Bellows Airfield (USAF) is there and takes up a lot of space, but it’s a mostly rural setting. There are also some charming businesses. I saw the handsome fellows above as I drove past and just had to turn around and go back. How could I not?

The horses drew me in, the art nearly made me late for appointment to meet a realtor for a termite inspection. Oops! Time well spent, though. This is Patrick Ching’s Naturally Hawaiian Gallery. Patrick is an amazing artist, a former forest ranger and a paniolo - a Hawaiian cowboy. A visit to his website is almost as fascinating as seeing his work in person. Spend an hour or two or ten over there. Some more great Hawaiian music will sooth your soul while you enjoy his art, his philosophy and a lot of Hawaiiana. Make sure you check out the Naturally Hawaiian Rodeo page. Patrick is wearing #587 in the Cowboy Poker photo poster. I’ve been assured that no bulls or poker-playing paniolo were killed in the mishap!

Sam Cruz is in training for his first 8-second ride on a bull himself. He took good care of me while I was at the gallery, enthusiastically supplying history of the shop and some biographical info on Patrick. If you’re reading this Patrick, keep the horses, the Falcon and Sam. They’re all doing a great job of selling your business.

I’m not sure why it’s been so long since I’ve been to Waimanalo. My bad! I’ll be making another trip out there soon, with no work agenda pressing me to hurry along. I definitely want to add a couple of Patrick’s prints to my small collection of Hawaiian art (sorry Patrick - I can’t afford the big stuff!) I want to spend some time browsing the orchids and other tropicals and checking out some more local businesses, too. Waimanalo probably won’t be on the itenerary that your travel agent helps you prepare if you ever make it to Oahu. That’s okay - you’ve got me to tell you about the places you really should visit. Get out in the country and see the real Hawaii!

Technorati Tags: art, beaches, Hawaii, Patrick Chinng’s Naturally Hawaiian Gallery, photos, Waimanalo

February 28, 2008

An artistic outlet for kids

Young Leeward Coast graffiti artists are being encouraged to express themselves through programs that allow them to showcase their art in ways that won’t get them arrested. Graffiti has long been a blight on our urban and suburban landscapes, though we’ve all seen some that we would have admired if it hadn’t been scrawled on the side of a bus or a freeway sound wall.

“It’s all about re-educating the kids and changing their thought process to create artwork instead of destroying public property,” says John Hina, originator of one of the prgrams. He invests his time and money into providing them with legal outlets for their work and encouraging them to develop their art in ways that might one day provide them with careers.

Vivian Ahsam is the prime motivator behind another progam, Youth Explosion. She’s recruited area businesses and commnunity groups to support an upcoming competition among local aerosol artists. “It’s really to help these kids turn something negative into something positive, and help them to see that this is destructive behavior that costs people a lot of money,” Ahsam said.

In times past most of these kids would have kept doing what they’re doing until they were arrested for defacing public property. I, for one, am glad to see a more positive approach that will challenge them to express their creativity in more socially acceptable ways. Their parents must surely appreciate it too, as they can quit worrying about late-night phone calls that jerk them from their pillows with pleas to rescue their children from central lockup.

source: HonoluluAdvertiser.com

Technorati Tags: graffiti, graffiti artists, Hawaii

October 16, 2007

My mo’olelo

Have you ever received a gift that was so perfect, so well thought out and loving, that it took your breath away? I have. It was given to me by a dear friend many years ago. It has hung, since that day, on the wall that faces my front door, so that visitors see it first when they enter my home, and so that I see it many times each day. Though I’ve had it for quite a while, I still pause frequently to look at it, read it, consider its message. It is my mo’olelo.

On the back of the mo’olelo is a placard that explains what it is and what it signifies. It is a story and a blessing, from the artist and from my friend. They met several times before my mo’olelo was made, so that Pearl Pualani Ling Makasobe could learn about me and about the things my friends sees in me (or perhaps the things that she hopes for me.) The artist was once associtaed with an artists’ hui that sold local crafts here on the Waianae Coast. Their shop has long since closed, and I don’t know where Ms. Makasobe markets her work now. (My friend Paul, former roommate and sometimes handyman, was also a member of the hui. I should ask if he knows how to contact her.)

A hand-crafted card hangs from my mo’olelo. On one side the mo’olelo is explained. Each element has meaning.

On the other side (I can’t call either side front or back, because both are of equal value) the petroglyphs are explained and defined.

There’s really nothing more I can say. The mo’olelo is the story.

Mahalo nui loa, Pearl. Mahalo nui loa, my friend.

Technorati Tags: art, blessings, Hawaiian art, Hawaiian blessing, Hawaiian petroglyphs, mo’olelo, petroglyphs

August 26, 2007

Table of Contents gets a little culture

The Table of Contents, a group of BookCrossers on Oahu, met today at The Hawaii State Art Museum. I’m so glad I found this wonderful group. They have all become dear friends and they’ve introduced me to some wonderful local experiences. I was pretty much a loner before I started meeting regularly with them, and I’ve never been one to do much exploring on my own. Sad to say, but in the twelve years that I’ve been in Hawaii I had never visited HiSAM or the other museums that TOC has introduced me to.

We met in the cafe for lunch. The menu is limited but superior. I selected an amazingly light and airy omelette served with a mix of fresh local greens. I’m not a huge eater of salads since I can’t digest raw vegetables, but today I nibbled a bit more than was probably good for me (and sent the rest home with a fellow diner.) All of us were over-the-top pleased with our lunch. There were only five items on the dessert menu, so we decided to order them all and share. If you have never had cucumber sorbet (and I’m betting most of you haven’t) you should try to find some in your own area. I took a taste, not expecting to like it at all. Ha! That’s what I get for thinking. The flavor and fragrance were delicate but quite distinctive and we all enjoyed it tremendously. The churros were “French style,” much lighter than the denser but more authentic Mexican variety, and were served with a chocolate dip with a rich cocoa flavor. The pannecotta literally melted on my tongue and induced near-ecstasy. The entire menu was true gourmet fare. I regret that I don’t have the culinary vocabulary to adequately describe it. Oh, and the service more than matched the food. Chris took great care of us, was informative about all of the menu items and was attentive but unobtrusive. Mahalo, Chris! You gave us a great dining experience.

My fine art vocabulary is also sadly lacking, so I will let the photographs do most of the talking. HiSAM features the very finest local artists. Today we viewed carved wood and pottery exhibits. Is it Michelangelo who is credited with the quote that he did not create sculpture, he merely freed it from the stone? The concept occurred to me again and again as I viewed the amazing carved wood artistry. Even my untrained eye could see that the artists pulled their visions from the natutal grain and contours of the wood. It seems a magical and enchanting process to me.

My camera batteries died shortly after we entered the pottery exhibit, but I got one imperfect picture of a special piece. A very dear friend works at a local community college. They periodically showcase and sell the work of their art students and instructors. My friend has gifted me with several small pieces by Kauka deSilva, talented and much acclaimed local artist and educator. It is pure serendipity that his piece currently on display was inspired by the Waianae Mountain Range, “my” mountains. Make sure you read the text about how he creates his colors. (Click on any photo above to be taken to my Flikr page, where you can view the photos in full size.)

Our group was small today but we had a wonderful time together. We traded some books, gave some to the wait staff at the restaurant and released a few into the wild. (Check out BookCrossing.com if you don’t understand that statement. ) I behaved myself and only brought home a few books. The day was further enhanced by the rain that has been falling off and on all day, even out here on the dry leeward coast. The cool, moist air energized me and I caught up on quite a bit of work at home this afternoon. All in all it’s been a very good day filled with friendship, good food, some amazing art and a sense of satisfaction. I am, at this moment, perfectly contented.

Technorati Tags: art, BookCrossing, food, Hawaii, Hawaii State Art Museum, Hawaiian art, photos

August 15, 2007

Paint Your Life

Several of my friends have recently had some of their treasured photographs transferred to canvas and been really pleased with the results. While I haven’t had the chance to see their new art portraits in person, I’ve seen photographs of them and they really are stunning. I was under the impression that the portraits they had done were replications of their original photos, enlarged and printed on canvas, but now I need ask them, because I’ve been looking at the gallery at Paint Your Life and these are not photographs. They are hand-painted reproductions of the original photos, artfully rendered by real painters. I really love the effect of the hand-crafted portraits.

I tried to get a decent photograph of my son and I together when he was here for his last visit. I had wanted to print and frame some enlargements for myself and a few family members. Alas, the pictures we took just aren’t good enough, but I’ll try again when he’s here for his next visit. If I can get just the right photo, I’d love to have it turned into an oil portrait. The process is quick and easy. Just upload an original photograph to the Print Your Life site, select the medium and size for the painting you’d like and let the artists do their work. The finished painting is available for inspection online within days, and if you’re not thrilled with the result it goes back to the artist for refinement and correction. Your payment is only completed when you’re totally satisfied with your portrait and ready to accept shipment. The last good photograph I have of my son and I was made when we first came to Hawaii. Everyone in my family has a copy of that twelve-year old portrait, but we rarely see family and we’ve both (ahem!) matured over the years. I’m going to make it a point to keep trying until I get a great shot next time, then see about having it hand painted for myself, my son and my sister.

Technorati Tags: art, Paint Your Life, paintings, portraits

August 4, 2007

Hee! Fun stuff!

Doodle by Lee. The code for this doodle and other doodles you can use on your blog can be found at Doodles.

Doodles definitely need a place on my daily rounds! I’m adding this Lee to my list of favorite artists, previously peopled only by the other Lee, who did my banner art, Escher and Ron Gonsalves . Go! Read! Have fun! Laugh! Mahalo, Lee, for making me chuckle!

Technorati Tags: art, blogging, cartoons, humor

July 23, 2007

Frustrated blogger’s tee shirt

Since I’m already getting inquiries about the shirt I showed you yesterday it seems appropriate to pass on the info on how to get one. My friend Lee is the gal who did the artwwork for skeet’s stuff. We’ve known each other for years through a private message board. A few of the members aren’t blog readers at all, and the rest of us have experienced the frustration of having them ask about something that we bloggers think they should know. “You don’t read my blog, do you?” has become a catchphrase for us. Last week someone said we should have it on a tee shirt. Don’t you just love the speed with which the thought becomes the deed in the cyberworld? Within a few hours Lee had designed the shirt and set up a CafePress site to sell it.

So, yes, you too can now have your very own frustrated blogger’s tee shirt. They’re available in the usual range of sizes and several styles, with prices ranging from $8.99 to $16.99. I’m hoping she’ll eventually have colors to select from too, because I could see myself wearing this shirt every day, lol! Right now you can have any color your heart desires, as long as your heart desires white.

Technorati Tags: blogging, frustrations, tee shirts

May 18, 2007

Wallhogs

I really like Wallhogs. If you aren’t familiar with them yet, Wallhogs are big art and big ideas. Imagine your favorite photo or graphic, blown up to a huge size and printed on reusuable vinyl, or as a glossy poster or a canvas print. Sizes range from a small two-footer (if you can call that small!) to an extra-large four by seven feet. The prints will press onto a smooth painted wall to customize the decor in any room. I’m thinking of my friend Lisa who is decorating a nursery. Wallhogs will create whatever custom art you want, so she can select from stock or submit her own photo or graphic to form a focal point for baby’s room. Backgrounds can even be removed to create a shaped print. I could see painting a path through the woods, then adding a giant Winnie the Pooh to the scene for a really eye-catching nursery wall.

What jeep fan wouldn’t love having something like this on their wall? That picture comes from stock, but imagine taking a photo of the car your honey customized and presenting it on the next special occasion. When my son was young I know he’d have loved a wall decorated with fire engines or that fabulous truck from Smokey and the Bandit. These days he’s more mature and would rather have Speed Racer (don’t tell him I’ve told you that!) The possibilities are endless, so let your imagination and your passions guide you. Watch the Wallhogs video and browse through their catalog of available art, then let your own inspiration take over. Wallhogs has something for everyone, big art for any wall. You can even customize a product or service you’re featuring and use a Wallhog to advertise your business.

What’s really exciting, though, is that Wallhogs has now taken it to the next level. They’re partnering with photographers and artists to bring them an outlet for their work and a new way to present it to their clients. They can add their works to the Wallhog catalog for online sales or order at discounted prices for resale to their customers. I’m not a professional photographer, but I’m surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. I occasionally get lucky and produce a photo that I think people might be interested in buying.

What I’m really interested in, though, is some experimental work I’ve been doing with some of my botanical photos. This seems like the perfect time and place to give you a sneak peek at what I’ve been up to. What do you think? Am I the only one weird enough to love this stuff, or do you think others might actually be interested enough to buy it? Wallhogs sponsored this post and I think there’s at least a small chance I could do a very different type of business with them once I’ve honed my skills a bit. Opinions, please?

Technorati Tags: art, big art, photography, wall art, Wallhogs

May 16, 2007

For Cass

I thought of Cass when I found this rather bizarre site by Joshua Dalsimer.I wonder how long it would take to knit something like that. I wonder why someone would do it in the first place. I’m wondering if it’s kinda hot and stuffy in there. I’m thinking I’ll never know the answers to all of these quesitons unless Cass makes something similar and reports back. Don’t you think she should?

Technorati Tags: art, just stuff, knitting

May 14, 2007

Next stop Zippy’s

There’s a series of local commercials that are similar to the “I’m going to Disney” commercials you’ll have been seeing for years. No matter what the ongoing activity, the answer to “What’s next?” is always … “Next stop - Zippy’s!” Zippy’s is a very popular Hawaiian style plate lunch place, dine-in or take-out. When I picked my son up at the airport around noon on Saturday I knew he’d be hungry after a five hour fight with nothing but an airline “snack box” to eat, so I asked if he wanted to wait ’til we were home or stop somewhere on the way for a meal. Predicatably, he wanted Zippy’s.

The Zippy’s most convenient to our route has a lovely luau mural on one wall. I’ve had other things to share the last few days, but here, at last, is the mural. Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: art, Hawaii, luau, mural, Zippy’s