News and reviews of made on Maui products and Maui-based companies and success stories. Also featuring island shopping guides

Posts tagged ‘Art’

A Whole New HUE

Maui is a world-class destination for a lot of things, but shopping? Not so much.  Sure we have cute little boutiques, and bikini shopping that is noteworthy, but for anything for the home, choices have been pretty limited – that was, until two talented young interior designers saw this void, and have been filling it, with gorgeous pillows, comfy yet stylish couches, handy hostess gifts and much more! Wendy Takemoto and Jessica Guard McLellan decided to open up HUE, a furniture and lifestyle store, and the results?  Well, they’ve been stunning.

maui furniture store best home furnishings“We were designers before we were in retail, and it was never possible to find pieces in our style on-island,” Jessica explained. “We knew other people must also be feeling that need. So we thought rather than ordering from mainland stores, why not open our own?”  And Maui shoppers heartily agreed, voting them Best New Business in 2013 and Best Home Furnishings in 2014 in the Maui Time Weekly’s Best of Maui readers’ poll.

maui furniture store best home furnishingsIn 2012, Wendy and Jessica opened HUE at their original retail and design space on Kahului’s Lalo Avenue.  Not quite two years later, with a good idea of what island shoppers were looking for, Wendy and Jessica jumped at the chance to move to a much larger space in an established location.  They are now located at the former Latitudes, as the anchor for a whole design center, with The Garden, supplying silk flowers, plants and arrangements, by Latitudes’ former purveyors, and Suda Shades, creating custom window treatments.

The new location is approximately 5,000 square feet, triple the size of their former location.  “Our goal is to have the island’s premiere home and lifestyle shop, and this new space brings us one step closer. We now can present an even wider range of carefully curated home and gift items” Jessica continued.  HUE is still Maui’s exclusive dealer for Lee Industries’ furniture, they have added a few new luxury furniture lines, including Lexington and Palecek, and have brought in some more affordable options as well. HUE is constantly adding to their inventory to offer fresh pieces for shoppers, with containers arriving monthly, and smaller shipments arriving even more frequently.

coastal tropical modern design aqua In addition to furniture, HUE is expanding their bed and bath collection, and offers a wide range of home accessories and gifts, including tabletop accessories, hostess gifts, jewelry, soaps and lotions, eco-friendly wrapping paper, coffee table books, lighting and more.  “We travel to the mainland two to three times a year for furniture and gift markets,” shared Wendy. “It’s the best way for us to see what’s current, to get the best possible pricing from our manufacturers, and to check out the quality of the pieces before we order.  We also get a lot of our inspiration when we travel to market. We love seeing other shops in cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, North Carolina… It’s just good to see stores that aren’t ALL rattan and tropical.”

In addition to offering what’s trending across the country, HUE offers many locally made items including bags by True Story Company and Tiger Lily, compass watches by Pandeia, body products by Queen Bee Productions, jewelry by Kachi, Sophie Grace Maui, Jasmine Honey Designs and Salty Luxe Hawaii, pillows by BlueJane Maui, and eco-friendly wrapping paper by Wrappily. Featured Maui-based artists include Abigail Romanchak, Robert Suzuki and Dane Ward.

Bags by True Story Company
Pandeia Compass Watches
Prints by Abigail Romanchak
Prints by Dane Ward
Pillows by BlueJane Maui

According to HUE’s Sales and Marketing Manager, Birgitte Golden, giving back to the Maui community is an important part of the business as well. “We sponsor and donate to many non-profit events, and even assist event design, like at the Pacific Cancer Foundation’s Kama’aina Christmas for the past two years. We also participate in other fundraisers, like the Lee Industries’ Lee Loves America campaign, with a portion of sales going to a local non-profit.” Birgitte continued that, “another great aspect of HUE is that it is locally-owned and operated – Aloha is engrained in who we are, and all customers are met with a down-to-earth, no pressure attitude.” All five team members are born and raised in Hawaii. In addition to Wendy, Jessica and Birgitte, the team includes Design Associate Heather Guard and Warehouse Manager Chris Auna.

Hue design studio interior decorators maui best hawaii

Wendy and Jessica also offer professional services including residential and commercial interior design, kitchen and bath design, architectural computer renderings, and more.  Appointments are recommended for design services.

As I chatted with Wendy and Jessica about their new space, I asked what they’ve learned so far in their foray into retail, and what surprises have come up along the way. “Our eyes have really been opened to how shipping affects the costs of goods,” explained Wendy.  “Also, people sometimes don’t fully understand that we are on an island in the middle of the ocean…things take longer to get here, and cost a little more.  As Jessica shares, “mainly, retail is a lot of work. And it’s a different beast in this era with online shopping, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram….it takes a lot more to stay ahead of the game, but these are also very powerful marketing tools if you know how to use them.”

And speaking of social media – you can follow HUE here: on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram. 

Mahalo to the HUE crew for the interview! 

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: 

  • Location: 210 Alamaha St, Kahului
  • Hours: Mon- Fri – 9am- 5pm, Sat 10am – 4pm, Closed Sunday
  • Phone: (808) 873-6910
  • Website: mauihue.com

Disclaimer: I am a paid consultant for HUE, but the opinions are my own. 

Category:

Accessories, Bath and Body, fine art, Furniture, Home Decor, jewelry, Shop Local

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Maui Dad – Apparel featuring Art and Heart

When Laurence Muleh’s daughter was born, she not only brought joy and love into his family, but a new business idea.  The artist and Maui High School art teacher was inspired to start his clothing line, Maui Dad, which celebrates parenting, fatherhood, and our sacred island.  Recently launched in December of 2013, they currently offer six designs on raglan tees (baseball style tees) and youth trucker hats.  And- as Laurence shares his story below – its not always about what you get with a business, but what you give back.

“As an ecstatic new father and a local high school art teacher, I created a series of drawings that illustrated our ohana’s (family’s) tradition of touching foreheads to express our love. In a Maui-based art studio, we lovingly screen-printed each of these drawings by hand on a variety of apparel and our family business, Maui Dad, was born. We take great care to make our products as locally, ethically and sustainably as possible. We are expanding our line by creating more designs, creating infant and toddler hats, and working on our adult apparel.

maui dad shirt children keiki“We are very grateful to have been welcomed into five wonderful boutiques across the island. According to our stores, our apparel line has been well received by both locals and visitors alike. Additionally, we were very honored to be featured on the Papa Page in the current issue of Maui Mama Magazine. As a teacher and a nurse, my wife and I have always dedicated our lives to being  part of our community, which is why we decided that while we grow our business we want to connect with local non-profits in our community so that we can grow together.  We believe that if we can weave the fibers of our business into the fibers of our community we can not only contribute to the local economy, but more importantly we can contribute to helping directly effect the lives of our neighbors.

“We began this mission of community involvement by reaching out to the Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of Maui, an organization that supports children of abuse and neglect in Maui County.  On May 3rd, Whole Foods Market Maui has graciously offered to host Maui Dad so that we can use our business to help raise money for the FCJC. At this event we plan on offering our standard apparel line as well as new adult and mom-themed apparel in anticipation for Mother’s Day.

“We will also have a booth at the upcoming Haiku Hoolaulea and Flower Festival on April 12 and will be sharing a portion of those proceeds with the FCJC.  We are thrilled about the partnership we’ve formed with FCJC and can’t wait to begin using our conscience and lovingly made local products to support their important mission.

maui dad shirt drawing art custom“Since connecting with the FCJC, we have found another local non-profit called FIT (Fatherhood Involvement Team).  I was able to connect with the director of the program and I was truly moved by what they do.  They recognize the important role that fathers play in the healthy development of children and are committed to providing services to fathers, including teen dads, and dads that are in the Maui Community Correctional Center. As a business built on the celebration and joy of fatherhood, I would be proud to offer support to this organization towards helping men become better fathers.”

 

Love the designs and the mission? Buy some Maui Dad apparel at their Etsy store at: mauidad.com

 

Follow their family adventures on their Facebook page at: facebook.com/mauidad

 

Where to Buy Maui Dad on Maui : Biasa Rose in Paia, Designing Wahine Emporium in Makawao, Ambassadors of the Environment at the Ritz-Carlton in Kapalua, Royal Lahaina Resort in Lahaina, and the Enchantress in the Shops of Wailea.

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Clothing

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Maui Open Studios – February 2014

Over 85 Maui-based artists and artisans open up their studios and exhibition spaces to show and sell their work during the 4th Annual Maui Open Studios, taking place on three weekends in February 2014.  The public can personally connect with the artists, something that doesn’t always happen in a gallery setting, and in some cases, the artists will even be giving live demonstrations. The entire event is free to the public.

Eva Roberts Maui Open Studio

Eva Roberts opens her studios and backyard with Maui Open Studios 2014. Photo by Randy Hufford

Visitors are also invited to join many of the artists at the Opening Celebration and Preview Exhibition on February 1, where they can enjoy a cash bar, no-host pupus, listen to live music, preview a few pieces of the artists’ work, and connect with the artists. This is also a great place to pick up a copy of the MOS Guidebook containing an artist directory and maps directing them to different studios and exhibition spaces around the island. Guidebooks are also available throughout the duration of the event at various locations around the island, which are listed on www.MauiOpenStudios.com. Visitors then design their own self-guided tours for each weekend of the month, either by referring to their printed guidebook or our online artist directory at www.MauiOpenStudios.com.

Maui Open Studios Dates and Locations:

  • Opening Celebration/Preview Exhibition

Saturday, February 1 from 5pm – 8pm • Maui Tropical Plantation

The Open Studio self-guided tours begin the following weekend. Hours for the Weekend Open Studios are 11am – 6pm.

  • rick strini maui open studios

    Rick Strini, one of Maui’s master glassblowers, demonstrates his talents – Photo by Rob Ratkowski

    Weekend 1: Upcountry Maui • Saturday and Sunday, February 8 and 9

  • Special Bonus Event: Tuesday, February 11 – “Georgia O’Keeffe’s Hawai’i – A Talk by Patricia Jennings”, will be held on from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm at Hui No’eau Visual Arts Center. Free but RSVP required: mauiopenstudios@gmail.com
  • Weekend 2: Central Maui, North Shore, Road to Hana and Hana • Saturday and Sunday, February 15 and 16
  • Weekend 3: West and South Maui • Saturday and Sunday, February 22 and 23

History of the Event: 

The Annual Maui Open Studios Event is the first of its kind in the state of Hawaii and was created 4 years ago by a former Maui artist who now resides in the San Francisco Bay Area. The mission of MOS is to connect the art community with art-lovers on Maui. Since it’s inception, the event has featured over 85 artists every year and generated over 6,000 individual studio visits by art collectors and art enthusiasts each year. $100,000 in art sales made directly between art-collectors and artists have been generated by the event each year since it’s creation.

The event is produced and organized by acclaimed fine art photo collage artist and former art gallery owner on Maui and Oahu, Carolyn Quan. She is now based in the San Francisco Bay Area after living in Hawaii for 9 years, while continually remaining connected to the islands and serving the art community there.

Follow Maui Open Studios on Facebook 

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Event, fine art

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Deck the Walls- Gifts by Maui’s Top Artists

Have a sweetie on your Christmas list that is an avid art lover?  Here are some recent releases by a few of Maui’s most talented artists…

Ray Masters

Ray Masters has a fascinating bio on his website that includes designing products for companies such as Swatch and creating posters for dozens of sporting events, including numerous Grand Prix races.  He now calls Maui his home and has added photography (and running mauiwindcam.com) to his list of talents.

Ray Masters Dog Sevin Surfing

Bodysurfing 7.1 by Ray Masters

Bodysurfing7.1 is available as an original acrylic on canvas painting, 24” x 18” ($2,500) and a limited edition giclee with gallery wrap ($700).  Ray’s new muse, Sevin, was featured in several paintings in the recent ‘Going to the Dogs’ exhibit at the Hui Noeau.

Ray Masters Photography Maui Hawaii

Ray Masters poses with his sunset photography piece, and the lucky new owner!

Ray also gets great images from his backyard, Maui’s North Shore, and they are available on canvas as well.  Here is a recent sale of a new photograph, of Ray and the lucky new owner of the image.  It’s available in many sizes, this one featured above is a 67″ x 48″ gallery wrapped canvas ($1900)

Kim McDonald

Kim McDonald has earned her comparisons to Gauguin and other “primitive” Impressionists with her lush island paintings, primal flowing seascapes, and dreamy night skies.  Known for her oil paintings, which often sell before they are even completed, Kim has recently started painting on an unusual medium, surfboards.  Featured in this year’s Maui Calls fundraiser, in galleries on Maui and art shows across the country, Kim’s Warrior Boards are becoming her new must-have pieces for art collectors.

Kim McDonald Artist Maui Painting

Coconut Beach by Kim McDonald

Coconut beach is a vailable as a limited-edition print, using the highest quality archival ink on canvas, with a gallery wrap.  Prints are hand embellished, signed and numbered. The original has sold. Available as 19” x 25” ($995) or 29” x 38” ($1695).

Or, a just released surfboard:

kim mcdonald custom surfboard

So new it doesn’t even have a name yet – we just call it Awesome

Rick Strini

Rick Strini was one of the first artists to revive the age-old tradition of Italian-European glass blowing and bring it to the backyard studio movement of the 60′s.  After years of successful achievements in the art glass field, Rick moved into art glass lighting, designing “Art that Illuminates”.  In addition to being a master glass blower, Rick has been traveling the world, analyzing glass factories and studios as a glass consultant.  If you need something for your walls, your tabletops, or truly unique lighting fixtures, Rick can make it for you.  Rick was also just accepted into the Maui Crafts Guild, which will be reopening in Paia next to Milagros any day now!  Make sure to stop by to check out his work in person.

The Jungle Chandelier
Blue Martini Glasses
Aquarium Ruffle Wall Sconce

Avi Kiriaty

Another signature Maui artist with a style so unique his works can be instantly identified as his own.  Review Avi’s extensive bio here on his website and check out one of his newest works, Hanging Out.  Available as a limited edition canvas giclee for $1,500, 40” x 30”.

hanging.out.avi.kiriaty

Goldie

A perfect Christmas gift for a Maui lover is the 2014 Calendar by Goldie, one of the newer artists in the Maui scene.  “Each one of these paintings took about 200 hours of rough sketching and researching the ideas to make them all come together. The paintings are watercolours, so if one single drop of paint went where it shouldn’t, I would have to start over”

View her website to purchase the calendar and see all of Goldie’s other whimsical pieces, or check them out at Mana Foods, Collections in makawao, Maui Ocean Center, Maui Tropical Plantation, Hi-Tech.

Maui Magic Calendar

Category:

fine art, Gift Guide

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New Art Exhibition Opening in Paia

art project paia women run world

The new art gallery Art Project: Paia presents Women Make The World Go Round, a mixed art exhibition featuring women artists in all forms of expression from Maui and beyond.

The group show will feature photography, drawing, ceramics, collage, painting and sculpture. Some of the artists presenting work are: Lisa Bartleson, Heather Boose-Weiss, Tatiana Botton, Christine Caldwell, Sharon Johnson-Tennant, Elizabeth Mauceli, Kari McCarthy, Mallory Morrison, Moye Thompson, Kathy Sakai and Christine Weir.

Opening Reception :

An opening reception for Women Make The World Go Round will be held on Saturday, September 14th, from 4:00–8:00 pm with live music from Cold Without Pants. Twenty percent of all proceeds from the reception will benefit the Maui Humane Society.  The exhibition will run daily from September 14 – December 22, 2013, from 11am – 5pm daily.

Art Project Paia Maui New Logo

About Art Project Paia and Founder Tatiana Botton:

Art Project Paia, located at 77 Hana Hwy (Paia, Maui, Hawaii), near Flatbread Co., was founded by Tatiana Botton as a multidisciplinary gallery that offers a fresh and contemporary perspective to the art shown on Maui.  Art Project: Paia represents up and coming and established international, mainland and local artists with a distinct Hawaiian sensitivity. Works of photography, painting, collage, drawing, sculpture and ceramics will be presented throughout the year at group shows.

A photographer and entrepreneur who divides her time between Southern California and Maui, Tatiana Botton’s wide range of work includes celebrity portraits, print advertising, and sweeping landscapes. Founder of WipFlash and Women Make the World Go Round and owner of Art Project: Paia, Tatiana has won many photography award competitions such as the Advertising Photographers of America, International Photography Awards, Prix de la Photographie de Paris, Women In Photography International, Black and White Spider Awards, and The Photography Master Cup.

Featured Artists –  Women Make the World Go Round

Photographer Sharon Johnson-Tennant, a self-defined “purist, who doesn’t manipulate, crop or change anything,” presents her stunning “Reflections on Water Lilies.” Kari McCarthy, one of Maui’s preeminent colorists who is “passionate about visual phenomena,” brings to the show her atmospheric and luminous landscapes. Mixed media artist Kathy Sakai, also Maui-based, presents her artistic explorations in color, shape and texture.

Christine Weir’s series of airport graphite drawings add geometric elements as well as tiny detailed markings to her subjects, creating fascinating space compositions. Elizabeth Mauceli’s acrylic ink with paper collages explore how physical alteration creates and transforms our experience through abstraction.

Christine Caldwell’s mastery of darkroom printing is patent in her “Illuminated Negatives,” dramatic representations of objects found in nature defined by skeletal proportions and emblazoned with neon color. Born in Florida and raised in NYC, Heather Boose-Weiss’s mystical and mysterious self-portrait landscapes, rendered in black and white silver gelatin, explore the relationship between form, presence and place, and what happens in a natural setting when a human enters the scene.

Los Angeles-based Mallory Morrison’s imaginary spaces are dreamlike and ethereal. Inspired by her own dreams, Morrison’s waterworld focuses on feelings of being lost and out of control, utilizing weightlessness to tell stories which explore the depths of space and composition. Lisa Bartleson’s abstract light compositions are conceptualized experiments on the pure gradations of color that are mostly influenced by the ambient light she experienced growing up in a small beach community in Washington State.

Ceramist Moye Thompson’s connection to the land — to dirt, mud and clay — comes from growing up in a farm in Alabama. Her cigar boxes and wire bottle series combine seemingly contradictory materials like clay, chicken wire, words and definitions cut from dictionaries and found objects of all kinds to create playful and surprising sculptures.

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Event, fine art

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Andaz Maui Features Padilla Designs Restoration

Maui Sculpture at Andaz Maui at Wailea

This past Labor Day weekend was a three-day holiday for many on Maui, but not for the employees of the just-opened Andaz Maui at Wailea.   The hotel, which is Hawaii’s first LEED-certified resort, has 297 guest rooms and suites, including seven villas with two to four bedrooms.  The resort will eventually feature two full-service restaurants: Ka’ana Kitchen, which is already open, and Morimoto Maui, by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. The resort is located at the site of the former Renaissance Wailea Beach Resort, which closed in 2007.

maui fish hook natural lava rockUpon entry to this ultra-chic property, guests will be greeted by a sculpture whose story demonstrates all the values of the Andaz Maui in one truly unique piece – the restored sculpture of the Hawaiian demi-god Maui, who is credited with raising the islands from the ocean floor with his fish hook.

Originally done by an artist in the late 1970‘s, the piece was going to be recycled, as it was in pretty bad shape after sitting on the oceanfront lawn of the Stouffers Hotel for the last 30 years.  Kainoa Horcajo, the Cultural Director for the Andaz, called on the master metal smiths at Padilla Designs to bring the statue back to life, and set about the task of finding a fitting new home for the 9 foot, 1200 pound sculpture.

andaz maui metal artwork

The new lei poo made from handcut copper maile leaves.

Padilla Designs rebuilt the hands and feet out of steel plate, sculpted a new Lei Poo around his for head out of hundreds of hand cut copper maile leafs. They also created a copper fish hook embedded in a natural lava rock as well as a sculpted copper rope link it all together.  The entire statue was then highlighted and clear coated to bring out the saturation.   Kaleo Padilla of Padilla Designs is “thrilled to see Maui resurrected to live another lifetime at the front entrance to the luxury Andaz Maui at Wailea.”

Kainoa Horcajo shared his thoughts on the statue of Maui and “my hopes for its use and integration into a larger, place-appropriate, totally Andaz front art piece:

Maui the demi-god, often called Mauiakalana, Mauiakamalo, and Mauiakamai, is the progenitor of humanity in these islands.  He is the archetypal ancestor and the embodiment of positive, uplifting values that place the good of the community over the desires of the individual.  Maui slowed the sun, lifted the sky, obtained the secret of fire, and raised the islands from the ocean.  It is this deed of raising the island from the ocean that we want to honor and highlight.

Early on in the process of creating the Andaz Maui at Wailea, the general manager Michael Stephens called me about working on a project to create a fictional story about a Japanese man that sailed across the sea and landed on the beach fronting our resort in a past time.  This man, Hyato, fell in love with a Hawaiian woman and together they created a family and built a home for them and their friends.  This home they built is the Andaz Maui at Wailea.  We used the story and the elements of it to inform bits of our design, our hiring process, and many of the details of the resort.  The characters are built around Andaz values and Hawaiian values and help us better understand who we are and why we do what we do.

Just as our mythical ancestor Hyato raised the islands from the sea by traveling Eastward into the rising sun and landing on Mokapu beach, we envision this property and building as our home that was created to house our ever-growing family.”

The statue was originally destined to be recycled…
Maui erected at Padilla Designs, awaiting restoration
Larry Padilla connecting the two pieces of sculpted copper rope together with a brazing torch. 
On site installation at the Andaz Maui Entrance

Category:

fine art, Masters at Work, News

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Rick Strini – Art that Illuminates

blown glass chandelier by maui artist rick strini

The Jungle Chandelier

Rick Strini was one of the first artists to revive the age-old tradition of Italian-European glass blowing and bring it to the backyard studio movement of the 60’s.  After years of successful achievements in the art glass field, Rick moved into art glass lighting, designing “Art that Illuminates”.  In addition to being a master glass blower, Rick has been traveling the world, analyzing glass factories and studios as a glass consultant.

Rick is about to celebrate 50 years as a glass blower.

Maui Made: How did you get started with glass blowing? 

Rick Strini: I saw a teacher friend doing it and since I was already into pottery at the time, it seemed like a natural extension to go for.  My teacher friend had me build a potter kiln to fire my pots first before teaching me how to build a glass kiln.

MM: How did you end up on Maui?

RS: I’ve been coming back and forth since I was 14 years old. In 1978, I sailed here in a trimaran that I built, and went around all the islands and back to Santa Cruz. I’ve been here now full time the past 14 years.

MM: Your work has taken you around the world but you still call Maui home, what is it about Maui that you enjoy?  

RS: The water sports, and now kite surfing big waves.

MM: You are now offering your services as a glass consultant – what does that mean?

RS: My services and expertise are for hire.  I recently went to China to study a glass factory and analyze their problems and tell them how to make it more efficient.  I  also consulted on a studio in India.

MM: You got a lot of exposure when your chandelier was featured in the Hawaii remodel of Extreme Makeover Home Edition- how did that happen?

RS: I was contacted through my alliance with Forecast Lighting, and the then VP Brian Hart, by Michael Moloney the designer.  They were featuring a Hawaii home and they thought it would be good to have something made in Hawaii.  The uniqueness of my craft led them to film me working and it was edited into the show and became a hit.

Extreme Makeover Home Edition Hawaii Glass Chandelier

The Pololena Chandelier, created for Extreme Makeover Home Edition – Hawaii House

MM: What are some of your most popular products? 

RS: My Jungle Chandelier (photograph on top of post),  the Pololena (as featured on Extreme Makeover Home Edition- the above photo), Stemware, Lily vases, and Art nouveau work.

Antique Heart Vases and Lamp
Roman Lili

MM: What do you enjoy about the challenges of glass blowing?  

RS: The challenges in the glass is that its always moving and requires total control.  I have spent 50 years practicing the art of manipulating the glass on the blowpipe and am now considered a Master.

MM: You stay up to date on the latest technology with lighting, LED, etc, what are the challenges with creating light systems?   Does the new technology make it easier to combine with glass?  

RS: The lighting has numerous challenges including the color rendition of the glass to the light and making sure that the colors in the glass do not change and are represented accurately when you put the light to it.  Now with the new challenges of energy efficiency and LEDs in to the market it allows for major creativity that wasn’t possible before because of the “heat” of the incandescent bulbs.  Also the size, the small size of the LED can be hidden much easier as to not take away from the value of the art glass.

The biggest thing was the balancing of the gas in the LEDs to a richer more balanced Kelvin scale and color rendition.  The old Tube lights were a value of 4500K to 6000K and that was a real “grey” appearance and quite annoying. The new colors are down into the 2000k range which is closer to “white” and true color.   With the advancing technology even the LEDs are becoming more and more efficient and energy wise and well as cost effective.  Newer LEDs are even now more dimmable and come with very efficient diffusers to spread the light more effectively.

Red and Orange Glass Chandelier

The Pele Chandelier is made of 1000 pieces and is seven feet long.

MM: Where can people see and buy your work on Maui? 

RS: The pieces are available for sale at Dolphin Galleries and Maui Ocean Center, and I have pieces on display at Porto Restaurant in Maalaea, Mama’s Fish House and Milagros Restaurant in Paia.   People can also make an appointment to come by our Haiku studio

Porto Maui Art Glass artist Hawaii

Strini’s art glass and lamps on display at Porto Restaurant in Ma’alaea

MM: Can you offer any tips for artists looking to turn a hobby/passion into a career? RS: Follow your passion, be smart, and just do it.

Mahalo to Rick Strini for taking some time to help spread some ‘light’ on his amazing work, and congratulations on 50 years!

Want to see more? Besides offering custom pieces, there are many pieces available for sale on his website, including Chandeliers, Ceiling Lamps, Jellyfish Lamps, Lily Vases (Jack in the Pulpit), Glass Pumpkins, and urns.

Pele Pololena Chandelier

The Pele Pololena Chandelier

blown glass funeral urn

Funeral Urn

Jellyfish Pendant Lamp

Jellyfish Pendant Lamp

(Part of the Masters at Work Series)

Category:

fine art, Home Decor, Masters at Work

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Seven Maui Photographers to Follow on Facebook

If you could use a daily dose of ‘ooooohhh’, ‘awwwww’, or ‘WOW!’, then you need to follow these Maui-based photographers on Facebook:

(I’ve asked them to share their favorite photo, but for a photographer, that’s probably like asking them to pick their favorite child. )

(Here’s a hint: Click on ‘Follow…’ to go directly to their Facebook page)

Todd Kawasaki:

Todd’s vibrant images capture the beauty of the world as he sees it.  He calls it ‘realistic’, we call it ‘amazing!’
Follow if you like: The ethereal glow of Maui’s beaches at sunset

Love it? Todd’s images are available for sale on his website.

Gone Fishing by Todd Kawasaki
Taking It Easy by Todd Kawasaki

Amity Mason Photography:

Amity features a little bit of everything on her page: sunsets, underwater, weddings, fashion and fine art photography.

Follow if you like: Classic Maui beauty with a unique artistic spin.

Love it? Amity Mason is offering wedding packages- check out her portfolio

Secret Forest by Amity Mason
Amity Mason Photography

Kristy Copperfield Photography:

Kristy specializes in newborn and family portraits, and its easy to see why.  She is as magical with children as she is with the camera.

Follow if you like: Cuddly babies, a new spin on family portraits

Love it? Kristy Copperfield would love to photograph your baby and family

Sweet Baby Poses are Kristy’s specialty
Newborn Photography by Kristy Copperfield
A modern spin on classic family portraits

Tamiz Photography:

Rebecca and Jonathan capture the romance of weddings unlike any other.

Follow if you like: Real-life fairy tales

Love it? Tamiz Photography will document your special moment – wedding, engagement, anniversary or just because?

Tamiz Photography matches the vintage styling of Haiku Mill
There are no words to describe this beauty…
Treasure this day for years to come…

Jimmie Hepp:

Jimmie photographs sunsets, landscapes, animals and more, but his true talent lies in capturing Maui’s watermen and women.

Follow if you like: Feeling the wind through your hair and the saltwater on your face – through a picture.

(funny, Jimmie let me pic my favorites from his page, I didn’t realize until now that these two are almost mirror images of each other)

Kai Lenny reaches atmospheric heights- as captured by Jimmie Hepp
Jimmie Hepp probably lives at Hookipa, for all the shots he has from there…
Jimmie has perfected the art of photographing Maui’s watersports

EverydayMaui.com:

Lehia is a full-time reporter who blogs about, you guessed it, everyday maui events.  Her wonderful photographs give color and insight to those events.

Follow if you like: everyday life on Maui.  and food.

Yoga at Alii Kula Lavender by everydaymaui.com
Haleakala Halemau’u by everydaymaui.com
Dawn Patrol by everydaymaui.com

MauiWindCam.com:

Ray Masters shares the day’s best pics from his backyard, the Pacific Ocean, and we are jealous.

Follow if you like: Surfing Dogs.  And who doesn’t like surfing dogs?

Sevin ponders his day’s activities
Sevin likes to hang ten, or is that twenty?

Wanna share all these great pics with your Pinterest followers?  We made it easy for you – here they are all together:

Seven Maui Based Photographers to Follow on Facebook

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Surf, Uncategorized, Wedding

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Artist’s Spotlight – Taryn Alessandro

Taryn Alessandro Image for Maui Made

While reviewing pictures from this spring’s Maui Open Studio’s event at Maui Tropical Plantation, I was struck by the images of one artist in particular. The more I looked at the paintings by Taryn Alessandro, the more I had to see, until I had checked out each and every painting on her website.  But now, I need to see them in person.  These aren’t your typical paintings.  Taryn, a classically trained artist, has been internationally recognized for her innovative use of upcycled materials and avant-garde approach to traditional fine art. She incorporates aluminum cans, sand, fabrics, glass, cardboard, jewelry and more to create a visual experience unlike any other.

Taryn has been featured twice in the annual editions of American Art Collector, has been twice named the Best Local Visual Artist by Maui Time Weekly, was the Official Inaugural Artist of the Wailea Food and Wine Festival, and was named one of the ‘Top 25 Kickstarter Projects’ by Complex Magazine.

And it was this Kickstarter project that brings us to this weekend’s event:

It all started with the vague idea of a running a “kickstarter” to create a short inspirational film on her process. Little did she realize, Taryn was creating one of the top 25 kickstarters ever, as voted by Complex Magazine. After an overwhelming response & in collaboration with MTVn Producer, Katie Shesh, they recruited filmmakers, sound technicians, & crew to follow Taryn “on the job” for two weeks in Maui and her hometown of Mystic, CT, to capture a glimpse of what Taryn calls “Sensationism”. This exclusive film premiere is the first public viewing of this short documentary.  Be prepared to laugh, learn, and get inspired, as you get a intimate view into the life of Taryn’s art.

  • Event: Sensation Film Premiere and Exhibition by Artist Taryn Alessandro
  • Where:  Turnbull Fine Art – 137 Hana Highway, Paia, Maui
  • When: Saturday, July 20, 2013
  • – Show and Reception: 5-8PM
  • – Film Premieres:  6:30PM
  • Who: Open to the public – FREE ADMISSION!

Taryn was nice enough to take some time from her busy schedule to answer some of our questions!

Taryn holds a paintbrush in her mouth

Maui Made: How did you get to Maui? 

Taryn Alessandro: 5 years ago I flew out to Maui to visit my college (Boston University) girlfriends who had moved here. Much like a lot of people who move here, after 2 weeks, I went home, packed my bags again and came back to live for 6 months…which has now turned into 5 years ;).

MM: What is it about Maui that inspires you? 

TA:  I’ve always been intrigued by the ocean- I can never get enough of it. Here I can have it everywhere I look. The expansive views truly make me feel like the world is my oyster- so much to explore. The collection of people here inspires me as well- Nowhere else have I experienced a collective culture with such appreciation for the land and general gratefulness for the opportunity to call this home. People are happy here ;). and lets not forget the obvious- its 80 & sunny everyday….but a brisk cold sunset on the mountains, a walk through a redwood forest, and a rain shower in the jungle are always only a short drive away.

MM: Are there any challenges to living on Maui?  

TA: Um, YES. Lets start with not having an art store, and then move on to shipping. Its near impossible to get supplies shipped here for less than a fortune if at all and even harder when your needed supplies are flammable or heavy… But without challenges we can’t make breakthroughs- When I couldn’t get panels shipped here in the sizes i wanted, i started building my own. Now we’ve perfected our own brand of painting panels and there’s honestly nothing I’d rather paint on- they are perfect for me. Also- when I moved here I had very few painting supplies- which forced me to think outside the box and evolved into me using unconventional materials that were readily available and abundant here- sand, seaglass, driftwood, aluminum tabs, palm fibers, etc.

Wine and Spirit Art Painting by Maui Artist Taryn Alessandro

Wine and Spirit was the featured artwork for the Wailea Food and Wine Festival

MM: You are from Connecticut, do you miss the seasons? How about the city? 

TA: I miss the fall on the east coast and the bustle of New York City tremendously. Maui’s geographical location presents another challenge for me- its hard to be able to visit my family and friends as much as I’d like to even just because of how much travel time is involved. I still try and make it back a couple of times a year, and I always take a trip back in the fall for a “fix.” The city is a huge source of inspiration for me- it literally makes my heart beat faster…in a good way 😉 I love that theres a huge eclectic collection of people from all around the world who are there to make things happen- the possibilities are endless. That energy feels even stronger in the fall- it feels like a fresh start ramped with renewed motivation to achieve goals and turn dreams into reality.

MM: Where can people view your work in person? 

TA:

MM: Tell me about your mixed media process – 

TA: The first step is collecting and gathering materials. Every time I see something interesting that I could potentially use in a painting I grab it- sometimes its years before I figure out what for. When I design a composition I often make painting studies, collages, or take a lot of photographs to plan a “blueprint” for my piece. Because I use such a wide variety of materials, its best to have somewhat of a plan before I start to properly plan the layering and each materials compatibility with another. I never have an exact formula for the way I make my originals & I always leave room for experimentation but usually it goes something like this: I sketch out my piece with acrylic paint, then I start integrating the different materials, layer by layer. When adhesives and sculpting pastes, etc are dry and materials are secure and in place, I finish with a refined oil painting. When that is dry I incorporate marine resin to seal it all in. Sometimes I reverse that order ;).

MM: What are some of your latest original pieces?

TA: Island Heat, Hula Break, & Serenity

Island Heat by Taryn Alessandro
Hula Break by Taryn Alessandro
Serenity by Taryn Alessandro

MM: And I see that you also offer reproductions – how does that work? 

TA: They are reproduced as giclees (prints on canvas, or metal) first. Then I recreate each piece by adding back a lot of the mixed materials that make them special- sand, metallic leaf, texture, aluminum tabs, resin, etc. Each piece is unique & slightly different- they truly become originals again. Because they are each re-created with a lot of time and love, I do a very small edition of only 26. Its important for me to do my reproductions this way because my work is so much about texture & light reflection.

MM: Which are your most popular limited editions?

TA: Reflections, Only in Maui, Wine & Spirit, Island Secret, Beach Boss

Refections by Taryn Alessandro
Only in Maui by Taryn Alessandro
Wine and Spirit was the featuring artwork for the Wailea Food and Wine Festival
Island Secret by Taryn Alessandro
Beach Boss by Taryn Alessandro

MM: And you mentioned you make your own panels – what are those made of? 

TA: Panels are the hard surfaces I build to paint on- the face is usually made with masonite or birch and there’s a deep wood frame so I can continue the painting to the sides, giving them a sculptural effect & allowing the viewer to interact with the piece from all sides instead of just one. I use panels primarily instead of canvas because they offer a more structural support for my collection of materials. I can really  “build” my imagery onto them.

MM: Where can people meet you?  Will you do Maui Open Studios again in 2014? 

TA: I will be doing Open Studios again, and you can usually find me at Sargents Fine Art on Friday nights from 6-9.

MM: Which artists are you inspired by? 

TA: I am inspired by the expressive and romantic nature of Egon Schiele’s figure drawings and Edgar Degas’ ballerina paintings. Gustav Klimt has influenced the use of gold leaf and pattern in my work, and I have drawn inspiration from Wayne Thibaud and Edward Hopper’s bold colors and use of line.

MM: What’s next for you?  

TA: Making more originals! I’ve begun collecting industrial inspired materials for a new experimental series I’m really excited to begin…..they are going to be very sculptural and explore a whole new range of techniques….thats all I will “leak” about that ;).

I’ve also been presented with some very exciting opportunities on a national level and some licensing agreements, etc. I try not to predict what exactly will happen and stay open to an infinite realm of possibility, but its always most important to me to nurture my current endeavors first. It’s easy to spread ourselves too thin, and like in any business, a solid foundation is crucial before expanding.  Right now my focus is on staying inspired & keeping up with a steady flow of exciting new pieces to provide my collectors and galleries.

Mahalo to Taryn, and best of luck at your film premiere- hope everyone can come out and see you this Saturday night! 

 

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Event, fine art

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How to Sell on Etsy – Guide for Artists

Let me start by saying that I’m not an etsy seller, but writing this post as a buyer, and frequent peruser of etsy. I’ve noticed a few differences between a decent shop and a great shop, so I’ve done a bit more research to put together a few tips for anyone starting out on Etsy, or looking to increase sales.
How to Sell on Etsy

Most of the blogs that I found on this topic where no less than 10 pages long and full of technical terms, so I’ll try to keep this brief and ‘artist-friendly’. You can google anything that you may want more information on. The search for ‘etsy tips for dummies’ yielded about 50 MILLION pages. Seriously.

  1. Use GREAT photos – Each and every blog post I read about Etsy tips has this as their first tip. You can have up to five pictures for each listing. Use them. Have close ups, on models, different angles – buyers want to feel like they’ve touched and held the item. If your photo skills aren’t up to snuff, trade some of your pieces for some pictures by your neighbor with the fancy camera and hot photoshop skills. It will be worth it.
  2. Get to the point with your ITEM TITLE! You only have 140 characters, and you want the search terms at the front of the title. Also, while people are scanning items this (plus the pic) is all they see! One of the items I was looking at had the title ‘cute cute cute’ – i have no idea what she’s trying to sell! You have lots more room in the description section to talk about how cute it is! Don’t forget to proofread – typos will keep you from coming up in searches!
  3. Follow the RULES or they could shut you down without notice. Etsy’s Do’s and Don’ts are 29 pages long. With this in mind, you should probably go ahead and start your own website, even if its just a placeholder page, so your customers can still find you if you get booted off etsy.
  4. Keep in contact with your CUSTOMERS – Etsy has that personal feel, so one of the great suggestions is to let your customers know when the package is being shipped, when it should arrive, and maybe a follow up to see how they are enjoying it?
  5. Spend some time to create great PACKAGING – throw in some stickers, a nice business card, maybe even add in a coupon for their next purchase?
  6. Check out the SUCCESS Stories – you aren’t inventing the wheel here. See what the top sellers are doing, and figure out how to do carry that over to your shop.
  7. Do what you do WELL – Figure out what you do well, create a unique brand for yourself, and GO SELL! (this is the rah-rah point)
  8. NETWORK – This could be endless and overwhelming, but here’s the gist. There are two reasons to network (and this means anything online) –  
    a. Search engines will find you – Search Engines like websites that have incoming links from lots of other, quality sites. Take advantage of the fact that you can now comment on lots of people’s blogs and include your shop website! It’s so easy! I wont get into too into SEO here, except to say that another tip that all the bloggers talked about was making sure you have the right tags on your products. You can use 13 tags – use them. Describe your product physically, then use some descriptive terms. You can view your ‘Shop Stats’ to see which tags are effective.
    b. – People will find you. You don’t have to use every single social networking site, but you should use one or two. Use the Etsy forums (ask and answer questions), join some teams, start some treasuries… probably endless. Starting a blog is a great way to attract more people (and help search engines find you), start a Facebook page for your business, join Pinterest or Instagram, and use whatever you set up. Some Pinterest tips : Dont just pin your own products, your followers wont like it and neither will Pinterest. But, when you Pin your own products (from Etsy), make sure you like what it says (I think its the Item Title that comes up) – make sure it describes your product AND has your shop name. That will help people know its you when they see your product pins!

OK – so here’s a test- Please add a comment below on what tip was the most helpful (if any) and include your etsy site! First one to comment correctly wins a free blog about your shop! (everyone else has to pay me in crafts. or chocolate)

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Etsy Tips

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