Art in Action|Artists Watch|Ala o Pele

Here is some work in progress.. more tomorrow

Kath

Hawaiian Art Prints Photos Posters

I look like a woman obsessed huh? Yes, I guess I am.

I think I need chocolate... cookies or cake. Nothing like chocolate cake for breakfast huh? gotta go paint.

I worked on one of the paintings that actually did bother me enough to worry and fret over yesterday. I will post it tomorrow and write about what bothered me. I will post the 'before' image. I won't be taking photos again til I have finished all the second sessions of work on the facial tones. I havn't even posted the first session as yet. OK... onward!

www.kathysart.com FREE ART GIFTS

Above is the painting I mentioned the other day that I have not shown yet. I am not a landscape painter, I just don't enjoy painting them but this is kind of different because of the location many of the photos were taken, Volcano Park.

Lots of different greens obviously. I don't premix paint at all. I choose to mix the colors every few brush strokes. I feel that pre-mixing a lump of color takes away from the spontaneity of the work. That's just me. Palette of color is shown throughout this blog.

The other pic is one of 3 paintings lined up by the framing chop saw. Sooo chic! These paintings have all had their first session with flesh tones.

I will post more tomorrow.. must make supper.

Aloha, Kathy

Kathy's Art @ www.kathysart.com

Well... I still need to take some photos of my progress. I have made a lot! In the mean time here is some into about Wailoa Center. The Director of Wailoa Center is Cody King.

About Wailoa Center:

Wailoa Center
Museum/Gallery, Hilo
Be the First to Rate It

This circular exhibition center, adjacent to Wailoa State Park, has shows by local artists that change monthly. There's also a photographic exhibit of the 1946 and 1960 tidal waves. Just in front of the center is a 12-foot-high bronze statue of King Kamehameha I, made in Italy in the late 1980s. Check out his gold Roman sandals.


Equal parts cultural center and art gallery, this place should be visited by anyone with an interest in the local art scene. Many artists show their work here in this eclectic venue. Everything from Chinese silk paintings to monkeywood carvings is featured in the changing exhibits. There's a permanent tsunami exhibit on display. The Spring Art Festival, one of Hawaii's biggest art fairs, is held here annually. The Center is located in Wailoa Park in downtown Hilo. It also functions as a visitor information center.

Be sure to check out the up and coming BONSAI EXHIBIT too in late June, early July!

An annual bonsai exhibition sponsored by the Big Island Bonsai Association in the main gallery of Wailoa Center. Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Wed from noon to 4:30 pm. For more information call (808) 933-0416.


OPEN: Mon., Tues., Thurs., and Fri. 8:30-4:30, Wed. noon-4:30, Sat. 9:30-3.

Address: Pi'opi'o St. off Kamehameha Ave., Hilo, HI, USA
Phone: 808/933-0416

Aloha, Kathy

www.kathysart.com

OK... that is all I am posting today. More tomorrow!

www.kathysart.com buy cards,posters,giclees

I apologize that so many photos are blurred. I move quickly so it is just the nature of things. I must say that vanity causes me to be secretly happy about the blur! ha ha.

I have finished the background of 9 of the paintings and need to take new photos to show my progress.

I am going to block in 2 more canvases today that I had not included in my frenzy.

Kathy Ostman-Magnusen|www.kathysart.com

This holy experience of painting....

Photo of Lava Tree Monument State Park: http://www.instanthawaii.com

Photographer: Dennis G Magnusen


This is the first real time I have painted since I fell down a flight of stairs last April.

It is interesting to note a few things about this series and my fall.

The stairs included THIRTEEN steps. I had returned from a hike in the mountains in Garberville while visting my sister. She hikes to a certain spot each day and touches a certain rock at the top. I had touched her rock that morning. When I returned because of the flight from Hawaii the day before and the hike I was tired and perhaps a bit clumsy, thus the fall.

When I went to see how many paintings I would need at Wailoa Center State Building I counted THIRTEEN... thirteen of my large canvases would be needed.

Many of the photos were taken at "Lava Tree State Monument".

It is interesting that serendipity has caused me to paint these very significant formations of lava rock and Pele's path of wrath.

There is something VERY HAUNTING about the Monument. It feels as if life is inside each volcanic rock formation to me. I cannot help but think of the rock I touched in Garberville and the thirteen steps.


It almost feels holy.


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Info about Lava Tree Park is below. More pictures of the Monument can be found on the second website provided. The info does not make reference to Pele. I will post that in future entries because that too is significant to the paintings and the Merry Monarch Festival.


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Lava Tree State Monument Info:

http://www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dsp/hawaii.html

Lava Tree State Monument
Off Pahoa-Pohoiki Road (Highway 132), 2.7 miles southeast of Pahoa.

Viewing of an excellent example of a forest of lava trees. This unusual volcanic feature is the result of a lava flow that swept through this forested area and left behind lava molds of the tree trunks. Picnicking opportunities. No drinking water.

17.1 acres

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http://www.instanthawaii.com

Lava Tree State Park
Introduction

The Lava Trees in Lava Tree State Park were created in a 1790 lava flow. The flow entered the area and buried the 'Ōhi'a Trees up to 11 ft deep in molten lava. Trees that were surrounded by the molten lava cooled the lava that coated them, while the heat of the lava caused the tree to burn to ash. When nearby fissures opened and allowed the molten lava to drain away the slightly cooler lava that surrounded the trees were already starting to harden and remained above ground.

Lava Tree State Park consists of 17.1 acres of native plants, trees and many lava tree molds - most of which are still standing. A small paved trail takes the visitor around the park and is easy walking for adults and children. The park has bathrooms and three covered areas for picnics, including a barbeque pit, but no drinking water.

Getting There
The Lava Tree State Park is in the lower Puna district. To get to the park take Highway 130 towards the town of Pāhoa. Pass the first intersection that takes you into Pāhoa and at the next intersection (the intersection with a traffic light) make a left onto Pāhoa-Kapoho Road (this is also Highway 132). Follow this road for about 3 miles until you see the park on your left.

The park is open 24 hours a day, year round. There is no cost to visit the park.

Accessibility
The park has a paved parking lot and restrooms accessible from the parking lot. There is no drinking water at the park. The trail around the park is paved but is uneven and broken in places due to tree roots. The trail is not navigable through its entire length by wheelchair.

Also, heed the signs that warn you to stay on the trail. There are many dangerous, deep fissures, many hidden by vegetation.

Climate
The Lava Tree State Park is at about 500 ft above sea level. Since it is on the East side of the Big Island the weather may be wet though warm. Shorts and rubber slippers or shoes are adequate. You might want to have light rain gear in the car in cast it decides to rain.

About The Park
The Lava Tree State Park sits within the Nanawale Forest Reserve in the lower Puna district near the town of Pāhoa. While lava trees can be found in several locations on the Big Island this particular park has several excellent example as well as being very accessible. Another (even better but less accessible) example of lava trees can be found in the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.

Lava trees are made when molten lava coats trees in one of two ways. First, a fissure can open that sprays fountains of lava into the air. The falling lava coats trees and burns the insides out leaving a lava mold around the tree. The second way for lava trees to form is molten lava flow filling an area and then draining - leaving the rock trees behind. The Lava Tree State Park is an example of this second method of formation.

In 1790 the East Rift of the Kilauea volcano opened up and issued a huge pahoehoe lava flow. This lava flow entered a wet 'Ōhi'a Tree forest and filled it to a depth of over 11 ft in molten lava.

When the liquid lava, at 2000° F, came in contact with the cool wet trees the lava touching the trees began to cool. At the same time, the tremendous heat consumed the tree leaving a perfect mold where the tree once grew. The mold is so perfect that you can still see the imprint of the bark in the lava rock itself.

Soon after filling the area with lava a nearby fissure opened in the ground allowing all the lava in the area to drain back into the earth. Because the lava surrounding the trees had already cooled due to the temperature of the trees, the lava molds did not drain but remained as monuments to the trees that once stood in the same spot.

The park is an excellent way to see both native Hawaiian plants as well as the fascinating Lava Trees themselves. The park has three structures offering protection from rain as well as picnic benches and even a rock grill for cooking. Bathrooms are at the park entrance but there is no water available.

Kathy Ostman-Magnusen|www.kathysart.com

"Ala o Pele"

Photographer: Dennis G Magnusen

I work quickly so some images might be a tad blurred from time to time. I share the artist's frenzy. This one is pretty clear though.

The music is blasting... hope the neighbors will still like me when this series is done! Ha ha!

Setting Up the Canvas'

Hawaiian art in honor of Merry Monarch Festival.
Photographer: Dennis G Magnusen

I have blocked out 9 canvases. I am using photos taken by Dennis G Magnusen of my models. Two are 38x48 and the rest are 30x40. Some are gallery wrap so the sides are 2 inches and the paintings will extend over onto the sides. The others will be framed in solid koa. I am planning one more to add to this collection along with 3 others that are already painted using another model.

I usually block out paintings with lavender or purple. I just like it.

I will show the 10 paintings mapped out along with me painting them over the next couple of weeks and then move on to my progress with the backgrounds.

Kathy Ostman-Magnusen|www.kathysart.com

Day one of my postings. I look forward to sharing my progress.


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Upcoming shows:
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One Woman Show:

"Ala o Pele"

In Honor of Merry Monarch Festival

Wailoa Center
April 6 thru April 27, 2007
Reception for the artist
April 6, 5-7pm

Address:

200 Piopio Street
P.O. Box 936
Wailoa State Park
Hilo, Hawaii 96720

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"Damz"
Seven Women Artists From Around the World

Monkdogz Urban Art Gallery
April 26 thru June 2, 2007

Address:

547 West 27th Street
New York, NY 10001

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Ongoing:

Aloha Outpost
The New Pahoa Marketplace
Pahoa, Hawaii 96778

Makana Lani
116 Kamehameha Ave.
Hilo, Hawaii 96720

Wailoa Center
Cody Kings Office
200 Piopio Street
P.O. Box 936
Wailoa State Park
Hilo, Hawaii 96720




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Kathy Ostman-Magnusen
Free Gifts:
http://www.kathysart.com/
kathy@kathysart.com