Artists in Hawaii

We just returned from Maui where we met some artists. When we travel we always like to check out art and if we’re lucky we get to meet them.

We met Ravan Pavao at the Wonderful World of Aloha Cultural Activity Center where she taught us how to make Lauhala bracelets. Ravan told us about the history of the craft, but also about her family. She was so sweet and patient. She told us if we return next year to let her know and she’d create another bracelet class for us with different designs! Here are a few pictures from that class.

She also has a website where you can buy some of her local art. Check it out here. She also has some listings at the Oni Foundation.

Next up we drove to Makawao to hike and eat, but also to check out the art. This is where I met Jessica Tepora when we were here a couple years ago. I was hoping I’d see her again, but she wasn’t there. In hindsight, I should have contacted her to see where she’d be.

We stopped in the Upcountry Gallery where we met the gallery owner Patrick Parker. He and several other local artists sell their art through this shop. We found him working on a collage. As I approached him, he asked me if I’d like to add to the collage. Well, of course!

You can see some of his art here. Here is a print we bought. He drew on the back of it for me.

While we were in Hawaii, I saw another piece of Rebecca Lowell’s art. We have a piece in the bathroom, and we’ll be adding this one there too.

The Swap Meet is held every Saturday in Maui from 7 am to 1 pm and of course, we had to check it out. Two years ago we paid 50 cents for admission. This year it was 75 cents. Here you will find all kinds of tourist trinkets and other mass produced Hawaiian-inspired crafts, fresh produce, flowers, and food. However, there are also artists selling their creations.

We found this couple, Terry and Sandy Gusman at their tent called Made on Maui.

They create a lot of lovely things, but I was especially drawn to Terry’s Lauhala braided jewelry. He loved my bracelet I had made a couple days before. He used to teach classes, but now makes his creations to sell at this fair. They were all so lovely with lots of different designs. I bought this pendant.

We’ve seen those Little Free Libraries around, but I had never seen a Little Free Art Gallery. I walked by it in Makawao, and had to stop and check it out. I sure wish I would have had something small to add to it. After I posted this on Facebook, one of my local friends said that there was one in our area. I need to go check it out.

I get so much inspiration from what others create.  But there was much more to our trip than art. More later.