LIHU‘E — From Ha‘ena to the Westside, 13 plein air artists have spent the last week capturing the essence of Kaua‘i. The finished paintings will be on display as part of a fundraiser art sale and reception from 3 to
LIHU‘E — From Ha‘ena to the Westside, 13 plein air artists have spent the last week capturing the essence of Kaua‘i. The finished paintings will be on display as part of a fundraiser art sale and reception from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Grove Farm Museum.
“A portion of the sales go to the preservation of the Grove Farm Museum and Wai‘oli Mission House in the center of Hanalei,” said Bob Schleck, who is the director of the two historical sites.
En plein air is a French saying, which means “in the open air.” Plein air artists work with natural light to paint outdoor imagery.
“It’s the ultimate teacher,” said Maui artist Ronaldo Macedo, who is participating in the event. “It’s kind of like watching an instructional surfing video versus going out and surfing. When you go outside and paint, you learn a lot from nature and it forces you to bring your skills up to par.”
The Kaua‘i Plein Air Invitational kicked off June 5 on the North Shore. From there, artists made their way around the island, stopping at such iconic locations as Hanalei Pier, Tunnels Beach, the Wai‘oli Mission House, Po‘ipu Beach Park and the National Tropical Botanical Gardens on the South Shore.
“I found whenever I painted outdoors, the paintings seemed more alive and they have more spontaneity,” said plein air artist Martin Wessler of Kalaheo. “I’ve done (plein air painting) before on other islands, in Maui and the mainland. It’s really special to have it on our home turf. Kaua‘i is so special.”
Artists will choose their favorite four paintings to be displayed during Saturday’s event. The public is encouraged to watch the 13 painters participate in a “Quick Draw” Saturday morning at Kalapaki Beach. The artists will be given two hours to complete their scene.
“It’s fun to see how different people capture different subjects,” said Lana‘i artist Mike Carroll. “Two people can stand side by side painting, and it will be totally different.”
Saturday’s reception will feature more than 60 paintings, and the public will be able to peruse the museum’s collection of plein air artwork, which dates back to the 1800s.
On Wednesday, the artists were invited to paint on the grounds of Grove Farm’s 100-acre homestead, and they gravitated to what resonated with them.
“There is so much to paint, but this is Grove Farm.” said Jeni Prince while she swirled together different paints to capture the color of Kaua‘i’s red dirt. “I like to have it mean something rather than be a pretty picture.”
Other artists chose to capture lush, open fields, plantation-style architecture or the estate’s colorful gardens.
“I like painting spots that one day will be gone, like this shack,” said Pierre Bouret of Hanalei as he nodded to an old plantation home. “It’s not going to be here forever.”
Schleck echoed Bouret’s sentiment.
“It’s wonderful to have these artists help us preserve the sites. As we preserve physical sites,i they are preserving sites through the artwork. It’s a wonderful marriage.”
The 13 featured artists include Susie Anderson, Pierre Bouret, Lynne Boyer, Saim Caglayan, Mike Carroll, Angela Headley, Kyoko Ishigami, Ronaldo Macedo, Jack Murray, Giorgio Naranjo, Jeni Prince, Cynthia Riedel and Martin Wessler.
Saturday’s reception and art sale costs $10 per person, and will include pupus, wine and beer plus live music.
Visit www.GroveFarm.net/KauaiPleinAir for more information.
• Andrea Frainier, lifestyle writer, can be reached at 245-3681, ext. 257 or afrainier@ thegardenisland.com.
What: Kaua‘i Plein Air Invitational art sale and reception
Where: Grove Farm Museum, Lihu‘e
When: 3 p.m.-6 p.m. Saturday
Tickets: $10 per person
