February Schedule

Kung Hee Fat Choy!! Aloha Year of The Ox. February hosts Fat Tuesday (AKA Mardi Gras 2/24), and sweet old Valentine's Day (2/14)-looks like quiet little February has a full dance card. The weather is very changeable and there is always a strong chance of storms..

Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa have their own style of high drama. As they silently sit shrouded beneath a cloudy veil it's possible to forget they're even there. That's when the clouds slip away, and like burlesque dancers who've suddenly dropped their fans, the girls are blushingly revealed. Show stopping winter wear brilliantly glistens in an elegant drape across dark blue curves. Gentle little clouds creep up to quietly curl and tuck cat-like around the lower slopes. Later you'll see them gliding smoothly away, undulating across the sky like Isadora Duncan's scarves in slow motion.

What to do if you show up to a location and no one's there? I scout around checking views, sky conditions, fuss with my gear, clean my palette, & set up. Occasionally I'll sit in my car waiting for Gerald or someone. If you're uncomfortable starting alone, buddy up and car pool. Plein air artists must be self starters, you know-it's all about "capturing the light". This schedule provides location suggestions and ideas, ultimately it's up to you to choose how you'd like to work it. The group of "regulars" is widely varied, and it's our collective good fortune to have such exquisite locations at the tip of our brushes.

FEBRUARY SCHEDULE-Thursdays, 8am, no fees, no critique, bring your own stuffs

5- WAI'ULI BEACH PARK. At Keaukaha, follow Kalaniana'ole Hwy to just before Richardson's Beach Park, makai side, 5 round pavilions in a row, life guard tower on the point.

12- ALA HEIAU. A simply gorgeous Puna location. At the end of Maku'u drive to the bottom, right on to Ala Heiau Road. Drive to the end and find a place to park, being aware not to block the small dirt roads the fisherpeople use. Great views of coastline.

19- GALLERY TOULOUSE. Onomea.. Diane Renchler's sweet little gallery is always a treat to invade.. if the solar power is up for it she'll blast jazz, and good vibrations waft about. Good ol' Toulouse (the cat) usually does a disappearing act or peers out from a tree covered rooftop. Quaint old style structures, ocean views, and country side...

From Hilo take the Hamakua Hwy (19) to the "Scenic Drive"/Mamalahoa Road, turn makai, Gallery Toulouse is about 1.5 miles down the hill, right side. Small sign, gotta keep your eyes peeled.. 9643507

26- WAILOA PARK. I'll say let's meet at the big pavilion, but we'll probably be out in the park, spread all over hill and dale. A group favorite,, diverse and Hilo style..

**DOWNTOWN HILO SUNDAY SESSION-2/22/09- The corners of Mamo and Keawe. Im going to paint the building that houses KaHuina Gallery, but there are many aspects to that location, and if the Mamo building is still standing we can paint that too.

OTHER MUSINGS-

*PASTEL OF HAWAII PLEIN AIR WORKSHOP- March 29, 30, 31, in Hilo with Terry Ludwig creator of Terry Ludwig Pastels, organized by Pastel of Hawaii Cost $280, limited to 10 artists, please call, Vivian Ursula 345-9472 or Helen at 1-808-623-2249

*FIGURE DRAWING-EHCC- every tuesday 6-9pm, 10.00, uninstructed, in the annex, Bob Weiss 217-9791 or to sign onto the email list scrimdog@hawaii.rr.com

*WEST HAWAII PLEIN AIR PAINTERS- Kona side group! contact; art@the-architect.us (Richard Rochkovsky) for free schedule. South Kona to North Kohala, and Waimea too.

*WATER COLOR with VINCE CALLAGHER- At a Keaukaha beach house w/ocean view. Beginning to advanced all aspects of watercolor including: color mixing, brush control, washes, and advanced techniques. Private lessons also offered. Tuesday 1-3:30, call Vince 557-1270 or email <vince.callagher@gmail.com>

*FIGURE DRAWING WORKSHOP- Rose Barber will hold a monthly 4.5 hr. single long pose figure workshop at her Paradise Park studio. The model will be set up in the style of selected master artists. The cost is 45$ per long pose session. *In addition Rose also teaches a very informative basic Figure Drawing class for artists who'd like to learn the fundamentals of figure drawing. For details and dates contact Rose at <themusestudio.com> or at themusestudio@gmail.com or by phone (808)430-8552.

PAU.

with fondest aloha, Amy