Artists IN Residence

 

www.lunelhaysmer.blogspot.com

Rainy Daze in Volcano Hawaii

 

Haysmers' Holiday Preparations

Last year at this time we were hoping to move into our new home before the holidays, but it didn't work out that way.

Fast forward one year later with escrow closed, we have the joy this year of holiday preparations in our own home.

Realizing all of our treasured Christmas ornaments were part of Pele's collection after the volcanic event last year in Puna, we were happy to receive many ornaments from friends -- plus a few from after holiday sales.

Treats?  Presents?  Cookies? Stockings?  -- WE ARE READY

Last week, we discovered there was a tree farm just down the highway and today, we got to set it up and decorate it.

No, Phil, not
that kind of "skirt!"

At our house blessing last month, attendees brought a variety of gifts including amaryllis, and a very special antique hand-made Persian Bakhtiari rug. The word Bakhtiari is the name of the town where the rug was made. The word Bakhtiari is a combination of two small Iranian words: Bakht (luck) and Yar (companion.)

POKO, LANI, AND TUDOR were most curious about the process and wanted to know where their "stockings" were.

Haysmers' New Art

Poliahu

During the past year as artists the creative process has been an absolutely essential tool for dealing with our loss and grief. The day after Lunel came out of a coma and was released from the hospital Phil helped her by a few art supplies so she could begin a new journal.

With some of the go-fund-me money gifts, Phil immediately bought wood-working tools. Neither of us stopped creating; we found our emotions were channeled into the healing process of making art -- particularly in response to the enormous loss of our retirement home and 99% of the contents (including our art and art collections.)

Ai La'au  (Forest Eater)

"Moving Through Fear"

During July the Wailoa Center in Hilo, together with Hawaii Island Art Alliance (HIAA) is hosting an exhibit for artists' work specifically related to last year's Kilauea's lava eruption. During this time Lunel has created three journals full of art -- over 400 images in about 400 days; some of these images have been shared in previous blog entries; she has been asked to offer a class in July to share her unique process of  using images combined with quotes, drawings and poems.

Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.  Thomas Merton

This last year Phil has been experimenting with his latest tool -- a Japanese carving tool, and with it -- he has created four new bas-relief pieces. Three are directly related to the Hawaiian mythological characters, including Pele, Poliahu (Pele's snow sister) and Ai La'au who was the personage living in Kilauea crater before the arrival of Pele to the Big Island. 

"Deep Water Challenge"

Pele

His last image while more ocean-related still addresses the unusual "voyage" we have made in our lives this last year. The vessel is a traditional Polynesian sailing vessel "Wa-a."

In Living Color!

What a busy month! We've received a few emails checking in on us since we have not created a new blog entry lately -- so here's the scoop!  We've been busy!

Work on the art studio is progressing very well, sheet rock going up this week, railings will be done, and beautiful "Lehua Doors" will be going up soon too.

Lehua Blossom (Lay HU ah)

OK, you say, what are "Lehua Doors" -- well early this year we were surprised by the COLOR of the ohia blossoms as they were such a deep orange/red and were visible from every window in the house.



Phil is making art out of left over scraps of wood from the building project, and has just finished one of Poliahu -- one of Pele's sisters who is associated with the snow on the volcanoes.

Lunel continues to work in her art journals filled with drawings, illustrations, poems
and quotes. She continues to learn about and work with the effects of on-going PTSD symptoms. Working in a densely packed 4' space for over a year, she's thrilled to know the new art studio will be completed soon.

About the knees, since friends are asking: The plan, for now, is prolotherapy injections that admittedly may or may not work. The MRI images for both knees were graphic and depressingly honest, so surgery may be an eventuality. After the year we have been through, it is understandable that another 6-month "recovery" would not be anyone's first choice.

Designing a new lanai (again) that will be adjacent to the house -- when what we had was so beautiful is a challenge, especially remembering all the amazing art that we had placed so strategically.

Phil is getting bids on installing whole-house solar which will include the latest Tesla storage batteries.

Giant Rhubarb

Younger selves in Santa Cruz CA

Lunel is getting information on replacing the wonderful cedar hot tub that we both will be glad to have again.

And then there's Rhubarb for one of Phil's favorite treats -- grows amazing here at 3500 in Volcano

Both of us have experienced a slowing-down we have to acknowledge and honor. The last year of various kinds of trauma and recovery has taken its toll, and although we are enjoying our new home,  it is still NEW as are all the things we are slowly replacing from wedding rings to underwear, from books to art -- as we also acclimate to new cooler weather, new neighborhood and new colorful opportunities.

This week we also celebrated our 33rd anniversary -- goodness 1986 seems like a LONG time ago -- we were a LOT younger!

May Day - Lei Day!

We are coming up on some significant anniversaries in May, as most of our friends and blog readers realize. (coma, fire, Leilani lava, homeless, legal fight and slow recovery, AND our 33rd anniversary!)

However TODAY is  Lei Day in Hawaii - Lei Day is a statewide celebration in all of Hawaii. The celebration begins in the morning of May first every year and continues throughout the entire day and even continues onto the next day. Lei day was established as a holiday in the year of 1929 and continues to this day.

This past week we attended a premier showing of a 1-hour documentary created by Hawaii News Now that featured interviews with local Puna residents about their experience. Our story was included and Lunel's interview came up early in the film. 

This LINK will take you to a very short recorded segment and a longer written description. Hawaii News Now - Haysmer Interview

(And, here's a LINK to the FULL version of the film:
  "Pele's Path" - full length story

The room was filled with hundreds of people who, like we, were looking back at last May, but also supporting each other in the present as we move into the future.

Close-up of the Leis we received

After the viewing, we decided to go out for a little lunch. While we were eating, two women we did not know, came over to our table and presented us with gorgeous leis -- saying that they recognized us from the film and wanted to show their aloha and support by presenting us with their own leis! We were a little surprised, but also find that our story has reached a pretty wide audience here in Hawaii.

Phil's latest --  a carving of Pele

"Remember then: there is only one time that is important - NOW! It is the most important time because it is the only time we have any power."  Leo Tolstoy

A year later we both feel we have "aged" -- we are both hoping that like good cheese or fine wine,  we will get better over time. We are also keenly aware that during the whole year, we have been loved and supported along the way by friends, neighbors and even strangers!

Blessed LEI DAY!!

12-12 HO HO HO!

What's in the PINK BOX??

In December of 2012, when we bought our one-way tickets to The Big Island, we thought it would be cool to arrive at our new home on 12-12-12! We arrived just as it was getting darK. For some reason, NONE of the keys we were given opened the front or side or back doors!!  Lunel actually had to crawl in the bathroom window to open the house!  We just figured that it might be the first of many tests (we were warned) that Pele might offer to see if we really had what it takes to live here and join the "Punatics' Clan"** We survived Hurricane Iselle and the lava of 2014. Now, after losing literally everything we sure hope we FINALLY past all her tests!!   Welina Tu-Tu Pele!

CK's "Little Pink" --W&J's  Hale Akala 

While the year may be different, this week is a RADICAL12/12 too! We signed our insurance check from Lloyds' AND all the processes involved were completed today on our new fully furnished rental home in Volcano!  If you read our Nov 22 blog entry, we gave you a sort-of hint -- it was in the PINK box in the photo.)
And here's the rest of the story.

Once Upon A Time...

Cozy living room with fireplace

...we had NO IDEA how our lawsuit against Lloyds' of London would turn out when we signed on with our amazing attorneys, but we felt we had nothing to loose, and we couldn't stay in 400 sf studio with three corgi dogs for a year while we waited it out.  So, we began to think about renting a furnished home here in Volcano to see if this is where we'd might eventually like to live. Then, the day before Thanksgiving, imagine our surprise when our attorney called --Lloyds' was honoring our claim IN FULL!!

While it is sufficient to buy a house, we immediately realized that neither of us is ready to do that -- emotionally or psychologically, and we really did fall in love with this very cute, fully furnished two bedroom house. (Even the idea of buying furnishings for a whole empty house right now would be too much.)

In the middle of an Ohia forest
(Mauna Kea in back)

We have enjoyed it here in Volcano at 3500 ft elevation, more than we expected, particularly as there are lots of retirees here and even more artists. When we got here in August and the months that followed, I was delighted to spend hours a day beautifying the already stunning gardens -- even this last week. Yes, it's chilly in the winter, but ta DAH - we have a fireplace!

One of the two bedrooms

So, here's a few of photos of our new place. It is in "Ohia Estates" a very tiny (two street) subdivision on a street named Nahelenani (beautiful forest)...and so it is. Two thirds of an acre surrounded by ohia trees. Even though you can't see it, there's lots of room in the back yard area. Phil is drawing up plans for a wood shop (with the owners OK) and Lunel will have a greenhouse!

We got bananas! and soon a greenhouse.

We have met the sellers who have been very kind and helpful and we already know several neighbors and have even been included in holiday festivities! We could hardly wish for a better closing of this most peculiar year, moving in on 29th and 30th -- Happy New Year to us!
We wish everyone a particularly wonderful holiday season.

(PS Remember that our address book with birthdays and such is gone....it may take a while to reconstruct all that information.)

** We are STILL "Punatics" because the district of PUNA extends all they way up here to Volcano.

Ka ‘Aina Keahialaka

When we began this intimate dance of creation,

You hid, shyly behind a verdant veil

Of forest, fern and vine.

I felt your presence, your breath on my skin,

Your heart beat in my bones

As you wooed me with low tones and tender sighs.

I was seduced and fell hopelessly in love.

I nuzzled into your embrace, and

In the joy of creation

We imagined an exquisitely woven tapestry

Rich in color and texture.

I brushed back long tresses,

Sculpted carefully around roots,

Cleaned debris from your body,

Brushed dust from your face.

And as you hummed softly,

I felt nurtured, warm in the sun.

This amazing fountain of lava is flowing from
 what was  our front yard! (I guess technically 
GPS it still IS our front yard.)

We labored together

Birthing crescent shapes in

Multi-dimensional schematics,

Molded always by sun, rain and time.

Slowly you slipped off your

Layers of heavy coats

Revealing graceful limbs laden with orchids,

Releasing fragrant blooms

Falling soft on pale damp mosses.

I adorned you lavishly; You anointed my skin,

We danced our own rhythm into Beingness

And a splendid radiance, carried on sea breezes

Washed over Everything.

All as if in ritual preparation

To honor your re-awakening

Oh Destroyer and Creatrix!

Pu’uwai  'O Tutu Pele.

And so, we burn, again,

Somewhat befuddled, again,

And we bow, again

In awe.

Lunel Haysmer

© July 6, 2018

(Hoping my use of Hawaiian language
is not disrespectful or inappropriate.)

Magma Chamber

For those of you visiting, and maybe wondering what is going on with the Haysmers -- no, we have not fallen into the magma chamber that opened only a few days ago spewing lava and cinder. You have probably already seen images on your favorite viewing devices. As we described in previous blogs, we are being treated with true aloha-spirit, housed comfortably with our four corgi dogs a few miles away from what once was our home in Leilani Estates on the Big Island.

What you may not have seen is the beautiful piece that Phil created for the state-wide, juried June exhibit at the Wailoa Center in Hilo. We received notice of his acceptance just a few days after our sudden evacuation, and had to notify the coordinators that, sadly, Pele had already claimed possession.

We received a surprisingly kind response from HIAA (Hawai'i Island Art Alliance) Board that they wanted (with Phil's permission) to enter his piece anyway -- offering to print and frame the piece on his behalf. With tears in our eyes, we said "yes." We thought those of you visiting our blog would enjoy seeing what the actual piece looked like before it became Pele's offering. As for "offerings" we thank all of the many that are coming our way -- each one precious -- each one gratefully received. As we can, we will be sending out more individual "thank yous" to each of you.

Phil was also recently interviewed by our previous Eureka home publications Times-Standard and the Northcoast Journal. He was also amazed that the Lansing State Journal in Michigan where he spent many years also called for an interview. It was there that he received his Master of Fine Arts Degree from Michigan State University and taught sculpture at Lansing Community College for a short time.

If you would like to, there are links below to those articles.

Times-Standard (Eureka CA)
Lansing State Journal (Michigan)
Northcoast Journal (Humboldt County)

Salmon Surprise!

Yesterday morning was overcast and raining, so while we were sitting out on the lanai being pleasantly distracted by Ms. Tasha puppy (now six weeks old,) we looked toward the north boundary of our property and thought we saw salmon-colored blossoms on a young ohia tree.  Going out for a closer look, we were right -- it is a young tree that did not bloom last year at all.

We have written previously about the plight of our ohia tress on the island -- the blight/fungus that is killing so many. (here is the LINK to that blog:  Dying Ohia Trees

Nearly all trees have red blossoms. While there are yellow blossomed trees they are infrequent, and we have two. The salmon are the most rare, so we feel really lucky.

The legend of the Ohia tree and the Lehua blossom.  The legend says that one day Pele met a handsome warrior named Ohia and she asked him to marry her. Ohia, however, had already pledged his love to Lehua.  Pele was furious when Ohia turned down her marriage proposal, so she turned Ohia into a twisted tree.  Lehua was heartbroken, of course. As the gods took pity on Lehua and decided it was an injustice to have Ohia and Lehua separated, they turned Lehua into the  flower on the Ohia tree so that the two lovers would be forever joined together.  Hawaiian folklore says that if you pluck this flower you are separating the lovers, and that day it will rain.

Lunel's Newest Art

What a fun year for artistic exploration! After having spent four years working with the lava on our property and being inspired by the variety of shapes, I feel like I have received a blessing (and a few bruises too) from Pele -- and, a new expression of art!

The process begins with a very simple line drawing inspired by shapes I see, After developing the drawings, I load the art into the computer. I collect fabric samples that reflect the colors I want, and I also scan the fabric into the computer. Working with dozens of fabric options, one by one I "drop" them into the negative spaces. Sometimes it takes many days of experimentation  to find just the right colors and textures that will complement each section and the whole piece.


("click" on any image for BIGGER view!)

After perfecting the image, I can print the completed art onto note cards, onto canvas, and even onto fabric. I just finished my first fabric sculpture/quilt -- one of two that will be sold either singly or as a pair.

This past year I have created several images using this inventive technique, but these two were special because they illustrate the return of Pele's lava flow to the ocean. Hawaiian mythology tells of Pele meeting her ocean sister - Namaka and this is happening right now on the Big Island near old site called Mokuna on the Puna coastline a few miles from where we live.

(If you have an interest in these pieces, please let me know. LUNEL)

To the right you see a close up of some of the lovely fabrics......

Pele Greets Sister Namaka

Things are really flowing here on the Big Island of Hawaii!  Down here in Puna, where lava has been flowing continuously for over 30 years, "Punatics" are living on the edge -- literally.  A couple years ago, as you may know, the lava flow from Kilauea's Pu'u O'o vent rather suddenly changed directions and headed straight toward our little Village of Pahoa.  Stopping only a few hundred feet from splitting the town in half, thankfully the flow returned to a path taking it toward the ocean.

"Moon Rise at Mokuna" by Lunel Haysmer (c)

"Sunset at Mokuna" by Lunel Haysmer (c)

Once again Pele has made national news as lava is now flowing into the ocean. Or, as Hawaiian traditions tell, Pele has returned to embrace her sister, Namaka, Goddess of the Sea.

Like many local artists, I have been inspired to created two versions of one of my "lava drawings" -- to feature a MOON RISE in one, and a SUNSET in the other.

Please do not use these images without asking.  As with my other images, they are copyrighted, and available as 5x7 note cards ($3 each..)  They are available as gallery-wrapped 18x24" canvases.

For Christmas I will be offering them as quilted soft sculpture fabric art for wall hangings. You may contact me through this blog site for more information.   MAHALO


 

Pu'u O'o at Kilauea Volcano

Penny took thiese photo just two nights ago

Flow activity in 2014 vs 2016

Revised 7/26:  UPDATE!  In the wee hours of the morning around 1:15am, lava has once again returned to the sea...

People who don't live on an active volcanic island cannot entirely comprehend the awareness we live with on a daily basis. It gives new meaning to "life on the edge" because here, the "edge" (ka'e) is always changing quite literally.  Lava flows and destroys, but from it grows new land and new life.

Here in the Puna Disrict, lava continues to flow from the Pu'u O'o vent of Kilauea and has been for 30 years!

All of us "Punatics" on the Big Island of Hawaii were grateful that two years ago the flow stopped within a few yards of our Pahoa Village! The lava has since changed directions and has returned to the previous area of flow, more directly south toward the ocean.

Penny -- up close and personal!

The flow has picked up recently and is now only about 1/2 mile from the ocean. When it hits the water, the spectacular show will only intensify as molten lava hit the cold water.

These photos were taken by our neighbor, Penny Overbeck showing how close you can get. It is traditional to make and leave ho'okupa (offerings/gifts) to Pele, being aware of both the destructive and creative forces at work. (remember you can 'click' on images for a close-up view)

No'eau -- Life as Art

"People’s lives can continue to unfold after they die; you just have to pay attention." 
 (From the movie “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” – highly recommended)

For over a month now I have been wondering how to tell the story about my friend Nan who died on March 12^th this year, but having just watched the above movie yesterday, it became clear that I just had to sit down and do it.  Meeting Nan No’eau Penner in the mountains of southern Humboldt County around 15 years ago was like meeting a long lost sister; we both felt a kinship as women and as artists.  We met after I had passed through a long dark tunnel and was coming out having discovered the healing power of art.

For many years Nan was supportive of my experimental, intuitive approach to art – particularly when it appeared to move in a darker and somewhat curious direction – as my “Strange Angels” began to channel through my art in an unexpected way.  She encouraged me to “invite them in” – that they would be wise teachers, and so they were.  Nan was a quiet supportive mentor and witness to my own development as an artist, and she was happy for us when we chose to make our home on the Big Island of Hawaii where she and her husband had lived many years ago. Although separated by miles, the connection remained important to me.

Last month, on March 12^th my husband, Phil, and I made a visit up to Kilauea that included a visit to Pele’s home and the always stirring view of Halema’uma’u – the inner lava crater.  We had dinner reservations and while spending time at the gallery, I found a book of collected proverbs and poetical sayings entitled, “ ‘Olelo No’eau” that Phil bought as a late Valentines gift for me.  Of course I immediately recognized the name, No’eau – and as I stood there with the book in my hand, I got “chicken skin” all over my body thinking about Nan and her friendship over the years.  I remarked to Phil that I needed to contact her right away, but couldn’t explain the sense of urgency I felt about it.

The next morning I emailed two friends in Humboldt to see if they had current contact for Nan received the following email back a few days later.  “I am sorry to let you know that Nan passed away last sat on 12th of March.”  As I sat there reading those words through tears in my eyes it was clear to me that despite the miles, she and I had connected as I held that book in my hands on March 12^th – on Pele’s sacred ground atop Kilauea.

No’eau is a Hawaiian word that means art, poetic-ness, and artfully done which was reflect her life.

Hala i ke ala ho’i ‘ole mai

(Gone on the road from which there is no returning)

The images were done by Nan, as were several ceramic vases I use for flowers from my garden.  All of these assure me of our continued connection.

Channeling Anger

ANGER?!?  Our culture does not teach us (particularly women) what to do with anger -- only that it is a bad thing we shouldn't have or should not express.  (As a friend pointed out, rouge males frequently get to bash and batter in all forms of entertainment.)  Anger is a natural response to many situations -- but learning how to channel it so we don't do harm to ourselves or others can be a valuable lesson.  This year I have been angry because a person we trusted with our taxes let us down -- acting unprofessionally and failing to communicate during the whole process, leaving us in the dark as to possible resolutions that could be achieved by a more  honest and open attitude.
  

Thinning it down to see the potential for what "could be."

Hindu Goddess Kali

Cultural Anthropology introduced me to a few options I found helpful -- not in a religious way, but more to address unidentified parts of my psyche.  t was interesting to find out that, particularly the mythic art of other cultures not only made room for anger, but found ways to incorporate anger in creative ways through art, ritual and myth.

I found it helpful to re-define anger as a "fuel" or a "tool" that may first appear threatening and destructive, but provides a needed venue for creative forces.  In Tibetan Buddhism some of the most wrathful deities are highly honored because they are so big and tough and powerful the keep the really bad guys under control or scared away.  The Egyptian goddess Sekmet is another example, as are the Hindu goddesses Kali and Durga.

After moving to the Big Island of Hawaii, we have experienced Pele's powerful energy first hand as she threatened to cut our charming Pahoa Village in half.  We had a close encounter that epitomized the dual nature of destruction and creation seen in these amazing volcanic islands.

The result of months of work -- a beautiful, lush new garden bed.

Since May, when we first discovered the tax mess I chose to use my anger as my fuel and tool -- with my pick axe, chain saw and o'o bar as my weapons of choice.  We never expected it would take over six months to resolve the tax mess, but   my garden, and I, have benefited greatly!  There were many dense, wild areas of our one acre that were a mess -- overgrown with invasive vines, shrubs and trees.

This situation presented me with an  opportunity for TRANSFORMATION -- the kind that uses DESTRUCTION to complete a new CREATION.