Opihikao Evenings

I took a long time off from painting in my usual haunts along the Red Road (Puna Coastal Highway 137). This was partly because I injured my shoulder, and partly just out of tedium. I thought I was bored with the subject matter. But really it is beautiful to be out in the sea breeze, with the sunlight creating an ever-changing blaze of colors in the trees and on the rocks. Today Tuko and I joined Abby Rabinowitz, a painter from California who is looking at some property in the neighborhood. I've been working into a blue painting that I started many months ago. Waiting so long to pick it up again makes it very hard as the palm fronds all change position, and the ocean tide and waves change a lot too. In particular the drought has thinned out the palm foliage and made it a lot browner.

Paintings and Prints by Arthur Johnsen

I'm posting some very casual shots of my current works so my dear friend in Alaska can see what's available. This is not everything I have available now, just things that exemplify the color of the islands with an eye to what would help an Alaskan get through a long cold winter! Many of these paintings and prints were hung for the last two months at the Mayor's office in Hilo.

tsunami excitement

I woke up on Saturday morning to the sound of an incredibly loud, low-flying gigantic aircraft roaring overhead at 6 AM, followed by the anxiety-producing siren blaring near our neighborhood. I figured that we wouldn't be allowed to drive into Hilo, so I had a philosophical (i.e.neglectful) reaction to the idea of a tsunami ploughing up Waianuenue Avenue and busting down our gallery door. But while those of us down in lowest Puna (Tuko and I) lolled about in my studio enjoying our life drawing session, Gail was hard at work with a small gang of friends and family rescuing all the precious artworks threatened by the coming tidal wave.

As it turned out the wave did not rise very high, and so on Sunday we showed up at the freakishly stripped-down gallery and re-assembled the display with the help of Gail's beautiful daughter Sanoe. Hats off to Gail and her award-winning efforts on our behalf. Here's a photo of her recent painting of Sanoe dressing up for a hula performance.