Hawaii Island artists are prominently featured in Hawi-based Contemporary Publications’ latest book, “Aloha Expressionism by Contemporary Hawaii Artists.”
Hawaii Island artists are prominently featured in Hawi-based Contemporary Publications’ latest book, “Aloha Expressionism by Contemporary Hawaii Artists.”
This four-color, coffee-table book features inspirational stories and hundreds of works of art from 50 master artists from throughout the state, including 25 from Hawaii Island.
While the artists’ mediums range from watercolor and oils to ceramics and woodworking, they all share one thing — their work is an expression of the aloha spirit of the islands that inspire them.
Tiffany DeEtte Shafto, founder of Contemporary Publications, curated and designed the book — selecting from artists who participated in local juried exhibit, received awards or have work in the Hawaii State Art Museum.
“As a state, Hawaii ranks No. 3 per capita with fine artists and craftspeople — yet, most aren’t known on the mainland,” Shafto said. “Many artists participate only in Hawaii-based exhibitions due to the cost of travel, shipping and the time away from their studios that mainland events require.
“The isolation of working in Hawaii leaves many of Hawaii’s top artists overlooked and disconnected. It’s time that Hawaii artists receive the recognition they deserve.”
Through the art and artists’ stories, told by award-winning author Lynda McDaniel, the book offers what Shafto calls “seeds of aloha” — spreading positive inspiration into the world.
“Witnessing those moments when people fall for a beautiful work of art showed me the kind of happiness that art brings to our lives, and I think the world could really use more joy, happiness and aloha spirit right now,” Shafto said.
Before the book’s release, all the artists featured in “Aloha Expressionism by Contemporary Hawaii Artists” were invited to an exclusive exhibit Sept. 12 in Honolulu on at the fifth annual Hawaii Food and Wine Festival, co-founded by Roy Yamaguchi and Alan Wong, who started the Hawaii Regional Cuisine Movement.
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Big Island masters
Hawaii Island artists with work in the book “Aloha Expressionism by Contemporary Hawaii Artists” include:
• Ellen Crocker, fiber and mixed-media
• Mike Field, oils
• Scott Hare, wood
• Kate and Will Jacobson, ceramics
• Hugh Jenkins and Stephanie Ross, glass
• Joshua Johansen, wood
• Cliff Johns, wood and mixed-media
• Edwin Kayton, oils
• Mary Koski (1929-2015), oils and pastels
• Kristie Kosmides, oils and watercolors
• Tai Lake, wood
• Kathy Long, pastels and graphite
• Marlene Louchheim, mixed-media
• Clytie Mead, watercolors
• Elizabeth Miller, metal and mixed-media
• Mydock, wood and mixed-media
• Suzy Papanikolas, acrylics
• Vicki Penney-Rohner, oils and pastels
• Ida Perkins, printmaking and collage
• David Reisland, wood
• Timothy Allan Shafto, wood and mixed-media
• Mary Spears, oils, watercolors, and collage
• Shay Wahl, watercolor and ink
• Shelly Maudsley White, watercolor, mixed-media
• Harry Wishard, oils