Featured Artists: Cindy Coats & Anthony Dohanos
Featured Cover Artist: Cindy Coats
You Are Here, the image on our cover, was created for the 2011 Ironman triathlon. Artist Cindy Coats says, “The shape of the island is so distinctive and recognizable, and because of that it’s like a canvas unto itself. You Are Here was such a fun piece to do. The consistency of the vertical lines creates movement, from the waves, to the road, to the beach. It really tells a story of sunup to sundown, and it worked so well with my original pictograms that I incorporate in all my Ironman and other triathlon paintings.”
Cindy and her husband Barry moved to Kona in 1996. They got married in their backyard shortly after arriving, with Cosmo, their first rescue dog, as their “Dog of Honor.” Cindy says, “Hawai‘i Island welcomed us with open arms and it’s been a wonderful journey!”
Cindy has drawn, painted and doodled for as long as she can remember. Yellow Submarine and its artist Heinz Edelmann had a huge influence on her. So did Peter Maxx, and the whole pop movement of the 60s and early 70s, which shaped her style and deepened her interest in art. She reflects, “It seemed like they were speaking my language!” Her creations range from real life renditions of our aquatic environment to whimsical and colorful depictions of the world as she sees it. Her style is highly recognizable.
She says, “When I first decided to try making a living with my art, I was doing hand painted jewelry, clocks and wall hangings. About 25 years ago, I made the transition to fine art painting. I also used to do a lot of colored pencil work until it wore out my hand and wrist, so now I work primarily in acrylics.”
Regarding the current situation, Cindy says, “One of the silver linings with Covid shutting down businesses was being able to go through my sketchbooks and actually paint some of my ideas I’ve had tucked away for a while. I called the first painting I did during the pandemic, Chasing Silver Linings.”
Where does Cindy go for inspiration? “In my head—literally in my mind—if I can find a quiet place to just think and let my mind wander—that and the shower! Also, our four rescue dogs, Buster Posey, Pi, Fredo and Q-Tip are constant inspiration!”
“I’m honored to be chosen again for the cover of Ke Ola, and unbelievably grateful to be able to do what I get to do in such a magical place!” She continues to divide her time between her home studio and gallery, where you’ll often find her hard at work with the best view in town, across from the Kailua pier.
For more information: cindycoats.com
Table of Contents Artist: Anthony Dohanos
Anthony Dohanos is a world traveler who moved to Hawai‘i in 1976. He’s a painter and art teacher, teaching at Kua O Ka Lā New Century Public Charter School as a painter and instructor for the last decade. Some of his mural artwork was buried under lava, along with the schoolʻs Kapoho campus, during the 2018 eruption. After a three year hiatus due to the eruption and Covid, Anthony has recently gone back to teaching. He and his students are currently painting a large mural at their new Hilo campus. The image featured on our table of contents pages is entitled Last Ride of the Day.
Anthony presently lives with his wife Barbara in Kapoho. Both are originally from Westport, Connecticut.
For more information: facebook.com/anthony.dohanos
