Oʻahu Artist Takes Top Honor at Maui Painting Invitational

Oʻahu artist Mark Brown won the “Best in Show” award at the 2019 Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational. Brown received the award over 96 other entries by 23 nationally acclaimed artists for his oil painting entitled “Stars and Stripes Over Lahaina.”

Brown and his winning painting, “Stars and Stripes Over Lahaina.” Photo Courtesy the Maui Art League.

A professional artist based in Honolulu, Brown uses vibrant colors and thick paint texture to depict scenes of Hawaiʻi. His paintings are displayed at the ʻAulani Disney Resort in Kapolei, Saks 5th Avenue Waikīkī, Haleʻiwa Art Gallery, Sunshine Art Gallery in Kāneʻohe, Magnolia at Kahala Mall, and even on episodes of Hawaii 5-0 and Magnum PI.

According to the Maui Art League, collectors rave about Brownʻs representational style and marvel at the Hawaiian lore and aloha that they feel when they see his work.

“I try to do all my left-brain work early in the process of analyzing a scene and setting up the composition, so I can “get in the moment” as I paint all the various elements,” Brown said. “I want to feel and express the mood and mana of the subject.”

When asked how he gets the inspiration and motivation for his work, Brown points to his students.

“I have a responsibility to them–to strive for excellence and show them the way to a successful career. They motivate me.”

In addition to teaching a class in plein air painting at UH Mānoa, he volunteers to monitor student art workshops at Chaminade University and hosts art workshops. Brown said he aims to mentor young artists in the same way he was mentored.

Brownʻs work can be found on his website. Collectors may schedule a studio appointment with Brown by contacting (808) 227-1710.

More information on 2019 Maui Plein Air Painting Awards is available online.