The Mana Anointed: Steve Grossman
By Peter Michael McCormick
Mana, a supernatural or divine power, Mana, miraculous power; a powerful nation, authority; to give Mana to, to make powerful; to have Mana, power, authority; authorization, privilege; miraculous, divinely powerful, spiritual; possession of Mana, power. From the Hawaiian Dictionary, revised 1986 University of Hawaii Press, Mary Kawena Pukui and Samuel H. Elbert.
What is it about Hawai‘i Island that draws so many people from different backgrounds and changing life circumstances from all parts of the earth to this mountain in the middle of the sea? Sure, there is the weather and island lifestyle, but I believe there something much more powerful that draws us here.
Does it have something to do with the fact this island is the largest mountain (measured from the ocean floor) on earth? You hear the stories of the Nightmarchers and feel the force of the Kohala winds. Spiritual healers, musicians, artists, and priests are drawn to this mountain in the middle of the sea from all different races, nations, and religions to form a powerful melting pot for seekers. Anyone who lives on Hawai‘i Island understands that there is something at work here.
This is a story about the power of Mana at work.
An individual arrives here with one game plan of life on their mind and becomes empowered through the graceful Mana wind that blows into their life. You have seen them.
The guy who cleans the beach every day and doesn’t work for the State or County. Or the humble caretaker of a piece of ‘āina in the forest or lava field. I believe these people have been chosen, or anointed through the power and order of Mana to perform special tasks that contribute to the hidden sustainability of these islands.
Meet Steve Grossman, a Mana-filled artist in Hōlualoa, originally from Ohio, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in art education from Bowling Green State University. Steve arrived in Hawai‘i 30 years ago to pursue his dream as a pencil artist. He learned the whaling art of scrimshaw and displayed his work in galleries around the islands, but just was not feeling the passion. Steve, like many of us, fixed his attention to the sea for refuge, becoming a windsurfing and scuba instructor to fill his teaching desires and income needs. Starting a family and working in the airline industry, Steve did not draw anything for thirty years.
Then last year, suddenly a feeling came over Steve to pick up his pencil and begin drawing again. Without direction to find a subject for his art he wandered for a while in the spirit room of the mind. This is where artists and writers go when they do not know what to do next. If you are an artist or a writer, you know this place well.
While browsing around in a bookstore, Steve turned a corner into the Hawaiian Spirituality section. Thinking he was in the wrong aisle and turning around to exit the area, a force of curiosity pulled him back into the aisle and directed his attention to three books: Spiritwalker by Hank Wesselman, Fundamentals of Hawaiian Mysticism by Charlotte Berny, and Urban Shaman by Serge Kahili King.
“The Mana came over me when picking out these books. It gave me the desire to begin reading all three books at the same time, becoming completely absorbed in their material. I could not stop reading,” Steve says.
The readings inspired his art. Images of Hawaiian people took shape onto the page, and the subjects’ feelings, personalities, power, and individual Mana are immortalized there.
When I first viewed his art, the images moved through my body, holding me hostage in awe of their beauty. The art clearly projects a personality; it’s like I’ve met these characters before. Steve cannot say where the images come from exactly.
“When I start a piece, it begins with a fairly clear concept, and from there I just go along for the ride, making sure that the fundamentals of art do not get trampled along the way,” he explains.
Sometimes they start out as young women or men and then age twenty to forty years as the portrait continues to be completed. There is a story in their faces—one of pain, joy, and a life of the past—a profound reminder of a culture of this land that cannot be lost or forgotten.
The artist is quick to point out that he is not channeling these images through lost spirits, but understands there is a power working within him.
Steve says, “It’s just me, but it seems to be a product of my subconscious interpreting the material I read in the books and other influences I don’t pretend to understand.”
My experience in looking for the Mana-filled or Mana-anointed person has shown me a pattern in what they have in common. Mana likes open minds.
What is important to understand is in this artist’s transition, there is no magic wand or a sudden awakening. Before Steve could produce these images with his passion and their storytelling faces, there was a humbling period of time taken to educate, prove worthy, and/or earn a respect by studying the past beliefs of the people in ancient Hawai‘i.
Artist Shelley Maudsley White, whose gallery is in Hōlualoa Village, has been Steve’s friend for more than 20 years.
“I have always known of Steve’s great art ability and have been constantly encouraging him to get back to work,” Shelley says.
She would tell him, “An artist can’t wait to feel it to paint; they must paint to feel it.”
When Shelley saw his latest work of Hawaiian images, she felt the work was mystical and spiritually driven, telling a story that must be told. Knowing that an artist has a hard time parting with their originals, Shelley again encouraged Steve to have high quality prints produced because his art must be shared. These are now in the process of production and will be available soon.
Steve Grossman’s journey is a great example and lesson for all of us who have sought the gifts and lifestyle of these islands. Through his studies of ancient Hawaiian spirituality, Steve says, “learning to combine a harmonious, loving relationship between Kū, Lono, ‘Aumakua, the three selves, and practicing these together on a daily basis” is when the Mana started fully influencing his art.
I subscribe to the thought that our past holds great wisdom of all that walked before us, you must remember that the Hawaiian Islands were fully sustainable and supportive of all living things before fuel, electricity, and broadband showed up here. There is much to be learned and gained for our future development by taking time to study the past of Hawai‘i.
So what is this Mana that we feel so strong on Hawai‘i Island? You feel it in the winds, the rain in Hilo, and moving through the warm green blades of grass in Ka‘ū. How will the power of Mana affect your life as you take part in these amazing mountains in the middle of the sea called Hawai‘i? If you are a resident or visiting here, take a look around you during your daily adventures and see if you can spot the Mana-anointed people at work. I believe Mana is the thread of energy that weaves us all together to create this special place called the Hawaiian Islands.
Steve’s work is called “Hawaiian Dreamscapes” and consists of drawing on stretched canvas with a graphite pen, watercolor, and colored pencil. His subjects appear to him, and you can see a collection of faces sometimes in a single image. Currently you can view Steve’s work at Ipu Kane Gallery in Hawi and other selected galleries. ❖
Contact Steve Grossman: grossmankona@gmail.com
Contact writer Pete McCormick: pmmccormick@outlook.com
