Maui Artists Featured in Coffee Table Book

Aloha Expressionism. Image provided by Tiffany DeEtte Shafto.

Twelve Maui residents are among the 50 Hawai‘i’s artists featured in Contemporary Publications’ Aloha Expressionism by Contemporary Hawaiʻi Artists, which was released in September 2015.

The four-color coffee table book features inspirational stories and hundreds of works of art.

While the artists’ media range from watercolor and oils to ceramics and woodworking, they all share one commonality—their work is an expression of the aloha spirit of the islands that inspire them.

Tiffany DeEtte Shafto, founder of Contemporary Publications, curated and designed the book, selecting from artists who have participated in local juried exhibits, received awards or have work in the Hawai‘i State Art Museum.

“As a state, Hawai‘i ranks No. 3 per capita with fine artists and craftspeople—yet most aren’t known on the Mainland,” she explained. “Many artists participate only in Hawai‘i-based exhibitions due to the cost of travel, shipping and the time away from their studios that Mainland events require. The isolation of working in Hawai‘i leaves many of Hawai‘i’s top artists overlooked and disconnected. It’s time that Hawaiʻi artists receive the recognition they deserve.”

Through the art and artists’ stories told by award-winning author Lynda McDaniel, the book offers what Shafto calls “seeds of aloha”—spreading positive inspiration into the world.

“Witnessing those moments when people fall for a beautiful work of art showed me the kind of happiness that art brings to our lives, and I think the world could really use more joy, happiness and aloha spirit right now,” said Shafto.

Even before its release, the book is creating new opportunities for artists and appreciators alike. The artists in Aloha Expressionism by Contemporary Hawaiʻi Artists were invited to an exclusive exhibit at the 5th Annual Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival (co-founded by Roy Yamaguchi and Alan Wong, two of the founders of the Hawai‘i Regional Cuisine Movement). The exhibit was held in September 2015 at the Corks & Forks event at Hawaiʻi Convention Center in Honolulu.

Shafto is well-versed in how powerful art books can be for promoting the state’s artists. Her 2009 publication, Contemporary Hawaii Woodworkers: the Wood, the Art, the Aloha, won numerous awards and quickly sold out; it continues to garner attention and sales for 36 award-winning Hawaiʻi woodworkers.

Shafto, a well-known advocate for Hawaii arts, is excited about the potential her latest book and the related exhibits hold.

“I’m inspired by this amazing group of people who are so clearly influenced by the aloha spirit of this place. Their art work, processes, and stories will inspire generations to come,” she said.

Featured by Chapter

Maui

• George Allan – oils
• Joëlle C. – mixed-media
• Christina DeHoff – mixed-media
• David Fitch – wood
• Betty Hay Freeland – oils
• Denby Freeland-Cole – kapa
• Tim Garcia – wood & stone
• Dianna Grundhauser – fiber
• Kirk Kurokawa – oils
• Mary Ann Leigh – ceramics
• Jim Powlan – printmaking & mixed-media
• Karuna Santoro – glass

Kaua‘i

• Craig Freeman – oils
• Robb Jones – oils
• Donia Lilly – pastels
• Licia McDonald – ceramics
• Jenifer Prince – oils
• Helen Turner – oils & pastels

O‘ahu

• Mark N. Brown – oils
• Patrice Federspiel – watercolors
• Geoff Lee – glass
• McD Philpotts – wood
• Colin Redican – oils
• Dalani Tanahy – kapa
• Liz Train – fiber & mixed-media

Hawai‘i Island

• Ellen Crocker – fiber & mixed-media
• Mike Field – oils
• Scott Hare – wood
• Kate & Will Jacobson – ceramics
• Hugh Jenkins & Stephanie Ross – glass
• Joshua Johansen – wood
• Cliff Johns – wood & mixed-media
• Edwin Kayton – oils
• Mary Koski (1929-2015) – oils & pastels
• Kristie Kosmides – oils & watercolors
• Tai Lake – wood
• Kathy Long – pastels & graphite
• Marlene Louchheim – mixed-media
• Clytie Mead – watercolors
• Elizabeth Miller – metal & mixed-media
• Mydock – wood & mixed-media
• Suzy Papanikolas – acrylics
• Vicki Penney-Rohner – oils & pastels
• Ida Perkins – printmaking & collage
• David Reisland – wood
• Timothy Allan Shafto – wood & mixed-media
• Mary Spears – oils, watercolors, & collage
• Shay Wahl – watercolor & ink
• Shelly Maudsley White – watercolor & mixed-media
• Harry Wishard – oils