Hawaii Artists

Native birds we see in the forest:  I'Iwi  ( E - E VE)

One of the many delights about our relocation to the small town of Volcano is that the community is rich with artists of all kinds -- glass, wood, painting, sculpture, writers, performers and numerous native Hawaiian practitioners of botany, art and hula.

Commission piece for a friend

With the construction of our new art studio last year, Phil has continued his exploration of wood art carving and painting and has pieces at Michael Jayme gallery in the charming village to the north, Honaka'a (520-270-7462)

With friends helping with the gardens and housework during Lunel's knee surgery recovery, Phil's happy to be back in the studio. As soon as Lunel can better negotiate two sets of stairs, she's looking forward to being in the studio with Phil.

Here are a few of his newest pieces.

Breakfast at the "Mango Table"

The east-facing window on lanai 

"MANGO TABLE" --highly recommended stop in Puna on the Big Island" -- Not only do you have a beautiful view, service is excellent and fare is yummy and includes fresh fruit, vegies and juices from the estate, mini cranberry scones with pecans, fresh coffee just to mention a few. Be sure to schedule a leisurely visit to the "Mango Table" at the Haysmer Estate just south of Pahoa. 

As we were enjoying breakfast the other morning out on the lanai, we were remembering what this view looked like when we moved in. So, it was fun to scrounge through the old photos from February 2012 when we first saw the property.

Whirling galaxies collide in the dense mango burl

First of all the lanai was something we decided to build onto the existing house and is complete with wicker furniture, lots of plants and art, and of course, our cedar hot tub at the other end.

The mango table, however, has its own interesting story: After Hurricane Iselle a few years ago, a dear friend had a fund raiser to help her repair her badly damaged roof. This five foot slab of mango was one left over from another friend (on our street) who had just finished building her new home. We bid on it -- and after taking it home, Phil worked his magic on it to bring out all the glorious details of the mango burl.

Pictured below with three composite photos are views of our east side property 2012 and now.

No grass, no landscaping, no lava beds -- just dry red cinder and a bucket for compost: What potential!!

This photo is exactly what we see out the window, taken four years later, after a lot of hard work.

**** - Just to clarify (for blog visitors who may not know) the "Mango Table" is a private residence, not open to the public, but generally a great meeting place for any and all of our friends and ohana.

Wood Art by Phil

Phil's love of wood goes back to his relationship with his grandfather, a superb wood craftsman and builder who owned the last steam driven sawmill in Michigan. That love of wood has followed him throughout his life, as a sculptor, art teacher, and wood artist.

During our 22 years living in Eureka, Phil was always creating art in wood where it sold at our gallery -- Many Hands (still) located in the heart of Old Town Eureka (Humboldt County.)

Now that we have retired to the Puna District on the Big Island of Hawaii, Phil has had a lot of fun experimenting with many of the local woods like koa, kamani and mango -- just to name a few.

Hawaiian Reef Fish - This past year Phil has been making a series of Hawaiian Reef Fish out of local wood.  Here's a picture of some of Phil's fish. Phil's art is at a lovely gallery in Hilo called One Gallery which is located on Kamehameha Street, right on the bay front.

Fish patterns vary widely depending on available wood and sizes are 3-5" by 6-8" - Price $29 (plus $5 shipping)

Temple Gates -Recently has been creating "Temple Gates" which he made in redwood while we lived in Humboldt.  Now, of course he is using local woods like KOA, MILO, OHIA, KAMANI, and MANGO just to name a few.  Please read the text to learn a little more about them.  (Wood patterns will vary - Price $195 -- Shipping $12)

If you would like to make a purchase you can inquire by posting a "comment" (below) and we will get back to you right away.  (most of our local tribe know how to reach us) MAHALO