MAKE ART - In response to...

As our blog followers have known ART has helped me respond to PTSD after my coma in May 2018 and the lost of our home. After creating over 400 small collage images in four journals, I lept (lele) out of the small 5x9 format in 2020 to create another 50+ collages in larger sizes.

The most recent stress of covid, isolation, and politics has triggered PTSD-related 'stuff'  and I was able to more creatively respond with three brand new big 18x24 images. The first was done at NY -- the second in response to the "threat" in our nation's capital felt so keenly by so many. Finally, an image that reflects general sadness about the general threat, fear and impotence felt by me and others.

Created on New Years -working title was 'silent night'

"Threat"

"Sad Song" (for humanity)

Covid, Crisis & Connections

The Covid pandemic has effectively changed the whole world. In many cases it has brought denial, fear, panic, grief, death and, sadly, misinformation. It has separated people both physically and emotionally. And, in some strange ways it has brought many people closer together - reconnecting. Many people including us have found a renewed appreciation for the small things -- bringing a sense of wonder and joy to a dark time.

Last week Phil came into the house and said, "come see!" whereupon we both went out to discover a rare sight -- a King Kamehameha Butterfly, an endemic species (in decline) also known as "Pulelehua" (Pu lay lay hooah). We currently have a variety of milkweed plants for our Monarchs, so a quick search provided us with the name of this butterfly's favorite plant -- the endemic Mamaki revered by Hawaiian people.

When their wings are folded they are hard to spot because of their olive green camouflage - and just look at the color of that chrysalis. 

Consequently, on our trip to town yesterday, Mamaki plants were on our shopping list. Walking into the plant area at the local store coincidentally Mamaki plants were JUST!! being offloaded and we came home with three. 

Today, however they were planted in a sunny spot in honor of a re-connection with a much loved friend Erik whom we had lost touch with over 20 years ago!

35 Years of Collaboration

(again, having trouble with formatting -- had to revice this silly thing 3 times -- sorry)

In 1986 when Phil and Lunel met in Santa Cruz they were both artists - Phil was a creative graphic designer and developing a line of lighthouse paintings; Lunel was crafting reproductions of ancient museum artifacts that ultimately lead to a contract with DeYoung Museum. 

"We haven't stopped collaborating -- whether it was opening Many Hands Gallery in Eureka in 1990, or the retirement move to the Big Island of Hawaii!" We have always inspired and encouraged each others' art and process.  

Lunel helped compose the image by using Photo-shop, and Phil worked his magic in the most recent carved and painted piece. While other artworks of Phil's are selling in two galleries, this one is going to remain in our house!! The background is of the hills (pu'u) in the mesmerizing district of Ka'u just south of where we live.

Most recently on a road trip we ended up taking two photographs that were instrumental in another collaboration. Lunel helped compose the image by using Photo-shop, and Phil worked his magic in the most recent carved and painted piece.

 We are currently reading several books about Ka'u -- on the family relationships, cultural history, and geographic land-use as well as contemporary threat to centuries of cultural indigenous traditions. 

Learning never stops!

Kilauea Lava New Year Update

If you want words and explanations about this image -- check the previous blog. This lava lake seen here is about 2300' below ground level with the Halema'uma'u inner crater. That black "island" in the middle IS an island of lava (lighter consistency) afloat on magma. Powerful art-inducing image!.