Art of Aloha Blog

When is it Art?

2011-12-20T01:42:28Z

AND, sometimes it's Not Art If Everybody Likes It!

There seems to be a very fine line defining ART. I don't mean the distinction between art and craft.

There is art, "fine art", "suitcase art", representational art, abstract art, inspirational art, contemporary art, renaissance art, primitive art, -- it's ALL ART!

There is no a "one-size-fits-all" definition for art. Art is a form of human expression and we are at the same time all so similar to AND all so very different from one another. Thank Goodness!

Uncluttering My Studio by Patrice Federspiel

2011-11-30T03:07:08Z

The Unclutter Your Life class that I took with Marilyn Nagel has been over for about two weeks. I miss it. I miss the structured support of having someone remind me to toss something out, give something away, and donate something to an organization every week.

Actually I'm still doing that part; that's the easy part. The hard part for me is controlling all of the paper in my life!

I've learned quite a lot and highly recommend Marilyn's class to you. We worked with my friend Marcia Zina Mager's book, 31 Words to Create an Organized Life (which I also recommend). Turns out Clutter has SO much more to do with our inner self than it does our outer circumstances (I suspect you already knew that).

The speed with which I can organize myself, my studio, and my life is a direct reflection of my ability to make decisions. Yikes! I must get better at that too!

My studio and my business are both so full right now, that it's been hard to keep up with all the habits and tips and tricks I learned in class — but I am not giving up. I am taking a stand! I refuse to clear off my tables only to turn around and continue to pile the papers back on top! (No, I haven't yet completely cleared them in the first place, but I KNOW I WILL!)

The Cul De Sac cartoons by Richard Thompson that I have posted really tickle me, as his work often does. I hope you enjoy them too.

Heliconia Painting inspires Memories in Charlie

2011-11-06T22:12:23Z

Last week I posted a heliconia painting in my eZine and asked readers to help me out with a title; more on the title next week. For now, I would like to share some memories from one of my students, Charlie Young. Charlie has been taking my watercolor class at Kaimuki for three semesters and has been making great strides in his technique and use of color. Go Charlie! Here is the painting and the thoughts he shared:

"Your floral painting triggered memories of when I was a kid running around the mountains here. I remember the bright flowers and plants among the tall trees, and hanging vines surrounding my many hikes with the guys on our "secret" trails; and swimming bare ass in the many cold streams in Nu`uanu and Manoa valleys.

My mother was always afraid I would fall off trees or drown, so she always reminded me not to climb those tall trees for unreachable mangoes or swim in those dangerous streams. Whenever she asked, I told her “no” never did. Years later, my daughter told me that me mother laughingly always knew I did all those things with my pals because my hair would still be damp and my clothes muddy and soiled.

Before taking your watercolor classes and others. I ways intrigued with the thoughts of the artist behind their works. I always wondered what their minds were processing as they painted, hour after hour.

For me, in the short time I have started in this field of art, painting and ceramics, I find my structured thoughts and rationale coming to a standstill, having almost no thoughts at times, and finding some kind of “feelings” coming into play; at times intermingled with some kind of vague memories about childhood. It’s almost primordial in a sense, many times triggering faint memories of my 2nd grade classes when the kind teacher put aprons on us, gave us paint brushes and paint, and patiently watched us children slosh paint all over the place, on the floor, walls, etc.

So far, that's what I am getting when I paint. I feel like a kid again.

Thanks for your guidance in this area."

You are MOST Welcome Charlie!!! Thank YOU for sharing your memories of times gone by.

On Being Married

2011-10-21T17:52:14Z

This photo was taken on October 7th, right after our wedding ceremony on the bluff overlooking Lake Michigan. We both grew up near "big water", so perhaps it is not that surprising to find us living in Hawai`i, a land surrounded by the deepest ocean on earth.

People have asked if being married feels any different. Honestly? No, not to me; and that feels SO good to me! It means we made a decision in alignment with who we are, both individually, and as a couple. Phew!

We are both SO happy!

Yes, it is Permanent!

2011-09-24T17:46:19Z

First I must thank Scott Adams for the cartoon he published earlier this month. Brilliant! I am a sucker for cartoons pertaining to all things art/artist/creativity related. Humor, like creativity, is essential to life.

Whenever we feel the calling to create, we must answer. Sometimes we don't respond to it with pen and ink or paint and brush. Sometimes we use yarn and needles or sugar and spice. No matter, answer we must.

Creativity is a calling, an urge, and a muse that must be followed. It is the mystery and magic of life itself, the substance of spirit flowing through our lives ... sometimes even at four in the morning :-)

Creativity Bars

2011-09-12T18:30:13Z

Okay, so maybe these could be called Creative Energy Bars, but I like the sound of Creativity Bars because you get to use your creativity in making them. Let's face it, every single one of us is creative in our own ways. There are some days when the only thing I want to create is food. I usually start with a recipe and then "riff" off it by changing and adding ingredients.

Creatures of Habit and the Tales They Spawn

2011-06-22T06:41:16Z

Creatures of Habit brought to mind thoughts of old Waikiki and new ways of creating an underwater reef using yarn and creativity.

"Indiana Jones-ing" Through the Years

2011-06-02T05:34:18Z

Eleven years ago this month I first stepped foot on the island of O'ahu. Back then I knew next-to-nothing about the Hawaiian Islands. I had lived my entire life in Wisconsin. My trip to Hawai'i was meant to be a spiritual quest, to step foot in the Pacific Ocean, and to visit a friend in grad school. I had absolutely no intention of staying.

Please allow me to explain... and please forgive the length of my good, true story

For years I would get up at 4:30 AM to paint or sculpt before going to work. I knew if I waited until the end of the day to create, I would not have the energy.

Every morning I would ask aloud, "how can I manage to paint full time?"

Ask and it is given, we have all heard this mantra. Still, I was completely surprised when, after 3-4 years of asking, the opportunity presented itself.

Winter in Wisconsin is cold and snowy. In January 2000, my friend Kit and I decided to take a one-week vacation to visit my friend Sarah, a grad student in Hawai`i.

Sarah was a busy TA; preparing to teach, writing a grant proposal to do research at the Smithsonian, and she had just moved into a tiny garage apartment. She paid her rent by doing yard work for the UH professor who owned the house.

Kit and I hardly saw Sarah that week. Instead, we explored the beaches on O`ahu and spent three days at the Kilauea Volcano on the big island of Hawai`i.

On our last day, we snorkeled at Hanauma Bay; and walked the length of Waimanalo Beach, where we came upon a tour group with boogie boards. I had never even seen boogie board before, but I knew I HAD to ride one.

A tour guide took me out and caught a wave for me. Not knowing what to do, I got up on my knees and rode in to shore. What fun! The next, larger wave washed the board right out from under me, but I didn't care. I had been transformed by the experience.

It was time to leave the beach; we had to get ready for the airport. As we walked back to our car, I turned around to wave good-bye to the tour guide. He waved back and tears of gratitude and joy streamed down my face.

Suddenly I thought: "What will Sarah do if she gets her research grant to work in DC? She wouldn't want to lose an apartment where she didn't pay rent! I could quit my job, sell my house, and take care of it for her.

I could PAINT!"

In order to keep the bolt of energy I felt running through me, I repeated these same words, out loud this time, so Kit could her them.

Later that day when Sarah showed us her apartment for the first time, I asked her what she would do if she got the grant. She asked if I'd want to house sit. I said yes.

Within one month of returning from our trip, while working full time as Creative Services Manager at DEMCO, Inc., rising to paint at 4:30 AM, I painted one of my rare landscapes shown above, "Kit at One with the Volcano". (Yes we were that close to the flow!)

We waited three months to find out that Sarah did get the grant. That gave me just six weeks to quit my job, sell my house, and move.

I had never moved out of Wisconsin before. This was a HUGE decision.

I didn't know what I was getting myself into, but I knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It felt riskier to stay in my very stable, wonderful job, in my own comfortable home near the arboretum in Madison, than to make this move.

Time after time doors have opened for me in Hawai`i. Yes, I have worked very hard. I was an oil painter in WI. I learned to paint with watercolors after realizing the small space of Sarah's apartment could be lethal when combined with fumes from the oils.

The day I took Sarah to catch her plane to DC was the day I realized I didn't know anyone here. I was thousands of miles and 5 time zones away from family & friends.

It has been hard at times, and lonely at times; and I wouldn't change any of the past eleven years for a minute! I have learned SO much about art, about my life, and about life in general during the eleven years since my first boogie board ride.

One of the first paintings I sold through the Haleiwa Arts Gallery

One of the most important things I've learned is that we don't have to know all the steps needed to reach our goal. What is needed is an area of focus, a strong desire, a great deal of perseverance, and the willingness to take a risk.

I had absolutely no idea when I first decided to visit Hawai`i in January 2000 that I would be living here today. It simply never occurred to me. But I did know what I wanted to do. I wanted to paint full time. Now that is what I do.

Reaching a goal is always about putting one foot in front of the other - over and over and over again. Be prepared for anything, and something will happen.

Think of Indiana Jones taking that first invisible step in The Last Crusade. Stay focused and trust. Trust in yourself and trust in your inner guidance.

As Dale Carnegie once said: "Set your mind on a goal, burn all of your bridges behind you, then watch how quickly the world steps aside to let you pass."

Growing Sunshine Pineapple Muffins

2011-03-09T01:43:27Z

In honor of my latest Pineapple Painting, "Growing Sunshine", here is my easy recipe meant to start your day with sunshine. You can see this painting in the Fresh Paint Florals Portfolio. Soon it will be on display at the Hawai'i Watercolor Society's 45th Annual Members' Exhibit.

Growing Sunshine Muffins

1/2 C Oil (I used olive oil, but you can use another light oil)

4 Eggs

1 20 oz. Can Crushed Pineapple in Juice, Drained

1 1/2 C WW Flour (Unbleached or White Flour Optional Substitute)

3/4 C Sugar

1 tsp. Baking Powder

1/2 tsp. Baking Soda

1/2 to 1 C Chopped Nuts

1/2 to 1 C shredded Coconut (sweetened or unsweetened)

Combine the first three ingredients in one bowl and combine the remaining dry ingredients in a second, larger bowl. Add the wet ingredients to the dry, and mix until the dry ingredients are just moist (do not over mix). Fill muffin cups 3/4 full and bake at 350 degrees for about 20 min. Check them in 15 minutes and again in five minutes to ensure they don't over bake. Cool on a rack before eating.

Why do I paint? and Why should you care?

2010-05-29T01:03:43Z

I was recently asked to give a two-minute talk to the Professional Women's Network on O‘ahu, and decided to answer the above two questions as best I could.

I paint because I have an overwhelming need to feel connected to the world around me, to the people in it, and to the world within me, my inner self.

Some people connect through words, some through music, some by moving through space. I am one of the visual connectors of the world.

I also strive to bring others into connection with themselves through my paintings.

Paintings often tell stories. Some stories are evident right away, others unravel like mysteries, slowly unfolding the longer you look at them. I paint both kinds of stories, and often include a "key" to understanding my ideas along with the painting.

It isn't essential for you to know what I am thinking about when I paint, but you might find it interesting. My thoughts are often necessary to the understanding of the title... but not always.

Okay, so why should you care?

Well, we live in such an incredibly lush, beautiful, and BUSY world that sometimes we are too busy to take the time to enjoy nature. During the busy times, and during the quiet times, having one of my paintings or prints in your home or office can remind you of YOUR connection to something larger in life than your daily grind.

It is always my intention to paint the energy, the life force, of my subject matter so that you will feel it when you look at my paintings.

My hope is that this feeling will help you connect with your inner self; and remind you of all that you are and all you have to offer to the world.