WAIMEA — The special exhibit, which kicked off Friday, showcases works by Norma Watt, Patricia Marinello and Christian Marinello at the Firehouse Gallery in Waimea throughout September.
Watt has lived in the islands since the 1960s and has seen a lot of changes.
“I want my paintings to recapture some of the past as well as preserving scenes of the present, and hope people can feel a connection to my choices,” she said.
The artist primarily uses watercolor and heat based oils to create beautiful realistic paintings based on her own photography. Watt studied art in Hawaii, learning from Linus Chao, David Livingston, Patrick Ching, and studied art history at the University of Hawaii.
Patricia has been doing intuitive abstract oil paintings for 12 years. She feels that abstract art is “liberating” as her work can become “anything to anyone in a non suggestive way.” Her work began in Encinitas, California, where she was inspired by the beautiful scenery and a thriving local artistic community. Since moving to the Big Island in 2016, her work has, “taken on a whole new spirit and now my inspiration comes from the mana of Hawaii and the powerful essence of the nature that surrounds me.” Two of her abstract art paintings were chosen to be in this year’s “2017 Abstract Only” show recently displayed at the Wailoa Arts &Cultural Center in Hilo.
Christian currently resides in Ninole, and is the master of a variety of artistic genres. He is a stone carver, jewelry maker, art metal welder and makes bottle openers from recycled wood and spam cans. Christian states, “I believe we are all artistic beings and finding a niche for our creative outlet is a fun process to explore in of itself.” One of his larger stone sculptures, “Zen Hole,” can be seen on the UH-Hilo campus.
Info: Firehouse Gallery is located in the heart of downtown Waimea in the historic old fire station. It is open Wednesday-Friday and Sunday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m.