Wailoa Center and Hawaii Island Art Alliance will welcome 41 artists statewide who have been invited to the first annual “Plein Aire Perspectives: Hawaii Statewide Juried Plein Aire Painting Exhibit” which will run Feb. 7-27.
An artist reception and awards will be held 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7.
More than 100 paintings of images from around the islands will be on display, reflecting each artist’s unique perspective.
This year’s jurors, who selected the invited artists for this exhibit, are Bonnie Sol Hahn and Amy Markham.
Both are well-established plein air artists who are inviting other artists to a “Paint Out” on Thursday, Feb. 13.
This is an opportunity for artists to explore the natural settings within the Wailoa State Park and for the public to meet the artists. We also invite artists to paint in the park (near the gallery) throughout the month in support of the plein air show.
For over 20 years, Hahn’s oils have been inspired by nature. Even as a child, growing up on the Big Island of Hawaii, you could find her either out of doors, or in her room, drawing the world around her on sketchpads. Since then, no matter where Hahn has made her home, nature has continued to be her inspiration.
Her paintings are records of moments passed. Dramatic skies, rippling seas, and naturally occurring patterns are major components of her work. Her botanicals reflect the complex beauty of nature, light and form, and are records of her life in Hawaii. Collectors of her paintings can be found throughout the islands and around the world.
Hahn lives in Hilo with her woodworker husband, two cats and a dog named Po. She shows at seven different galleries islandwide.
Hilo-based artist Markham has been making art since early childhood, and has explored many expressions of art, including photography, ceramics, watercolors and oils. In 2007, Markham started a plein air group to center her focus on the discipline and to spend time with other plein air artists.
In 2010, Markham opened a co-operative gallery in downtown Hilo. Today, Markham enjoys figure-drawing and studio work, where she creates abstracts and mixed media pieces. She participates in local art competitions and shows her work on Hawaii Island and Oahu. Every Thursday she still paints with the East Hawaii plein air group she founded.
Wailoa Center is a Division of State Parks, Department of Land and Natural Resources. It is free and opened to the public 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The center is closed on Saturdays, Sundays and state holidays.
For additional information please call 933-0416 or email wailoa@yahoo.com. Website: wailoacenter.com.