FineArtAmerica recently started having
art contests where not only can members enter the contests, but they can create their own contests and offer their own prizes. So, after entering a few contests myself, I decided to have my own and created "
The Aloha Spirit Contest"!
Living in Hawaii, I see and experience this Aloha Spirit almost every day. Through a smile, a helping hand, a gift of fruit from the aina, and many more, we make our lives happy and more enjoyable. Most tourists comment on why it seems that people living in Hawaii are always smiling. Well, it's because we are! The Aloha Spirit is alive and well here in the islands, but it can extend itself to the whole world (which is something we definitely need at this time).
I asked members to enter up to 3 images in any medium depicting the Aloha Spirit (their interpretation). Since this contest was purely for fun and exposure, the prize for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place was to have their winning piece featured on my blog! Anyone (members and non-members) could vote and we had 28 members enter with 65 pieces of art and 223 votes. We even ended up with a tie for 2nd place! Congratulations to the winners and to everyone for participating!
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First Place - Kelly Turner
photograph
What does the “Aloha Spirit” mean to you?: Unity.
What inspires you most about creating art? New ideas and ways each new piece is created.
How long have you been a professional artist? 5 years.
You can find out more about Kelly Turner's art at
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2nd Place - Frank Wilson
glowing phosphors on a large wall
What does the "Aloha Spirit" mean to you?: I am the "Painter Of Dreams"TM and bringing my wife to Hawaii has been a lifelong dream. Our 40th Anniversary is next year and I'm hoping that we can experience the "Aloha Spirit" first hand instead of just dreaming about it or hearing such wonderful stories from those who have been privileged to visit your beautiful, romantic and friendly Islands.
What inspires you most about creating art?: My inspiration comes from my awe of the natural world, weather it be the sea, the land, the sky, wildlife or the heavenly cosmos. I have been labeled a "preservationist" because of capturing natural beauty spots, many of which now exist only in my paintings because of development, fires and other disasters, both natural and man made.
How long have you been a professional artist?: Since 1971 when I finished my studies at the Art Institute Of Boston.
You can find out more about Frank Wilson's art at
Frank is available for commissions for fine art, illustrations, murals and his unique specialty, glow in the dark murals that can only be seen in the dark, like his "Hawaiian Dreams" glow in the dark wall mural that measures 11.5 foot x 13.5 feet. This mural cannot be seen in the light. It has to be totally dark for it to be seen. It is painted on a plain white wall using five different rare earth phosphors that capture light energy by day and releases it at night. Turn on the lights and the mural is gone... turn off the lights and the mural can be clearly seen. His murals glow all night long, night after night. A perfect marriage of science and art! Contact Frank via his website site for details on his custom glowing wall murals for your home or hotel.
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2nd Place - Pepe Patrick Conley
oil on canvas
What does the “Aloha Spirit” mean to you?: A feeling of warmth and connection to the islands and people of Hawaii.
What inspires you most about creating art?: Capturing a beautiful and fleeting moment.
How long have you been a professional artist?: I sold my first painting in 2000.
acrylic on paper
What does the “Aloha Spirit” mean to you?: To always have an open, giving loving heart. To always be there in all ways.
What inspires you most about creating art?: The beauty of this island.
How long have you been a professional artist?: 25 years.
You can find out more about Schar Freeman's art at
Recently my good friend and fellow artist, Schar, treated me to a Na Pali boat cruise for a special day! Mahalo Nui Loa Schar!!! We met at Blue Dolphin Charters at 7 a.m. We were blessed with clear skies and a calm ocean that morning.
Marionette and Schar
This is Olokele, the last operating sugar cane mill on Kauai. Owned by Gay and Robinson, they will soon be shutting down around October once the last of the sugar cane is harvested and processed. It's a real end of an era.
We were lucky enough to stop the boat and see two pods of dolphins. Here they are swimming right next to the boat. What fun to see them jump and play in the clear, ocean water!
The famous Na Pali coast with rugged and beautiful cliffs. This used to be home to the ancient Hawaiians. "Na Pali" translates to "the cliffs."
Here are some sea birds taking flight.
We were truly blessed on this boat trip with a sighting of several sea turtles swimming near by. See him poking his head out of the water? They are known as "honu" in the Hawaiian language.
Look how clear and blue the ocean is here! This is truly paradise on earth!
This is how close you actually get to the coast! It's like stepping into a movie! Speaking of movies, the Na Pali coast can be seen in famous movies such as Jurassic Park, King Kong, 6 Days & 7 Nights, Thorn Birds, South Pacific and I just learned that the beach scene at the end of Contact was filmed here.
Just one of many sea caves seen on the trip.
Ahhh! Another wonderful view. I have to admit, I took over 300 photos with my digital camera, and I wish I could show them all. We are truly LUCKY TO LIVE KAUAI! And, if all of this wasn't enough, we ended the trip with a one hour dip in the ocean to snorkel.
