Featured Artists: Alice Hughes & Fern Gavelek
Featured Cover Artist: Alice Hughes
Alice first came to Hawai‘i in 1972 on an around-the-world trip. “It was a lot different in some ways, but is still the same in others. I was embraced by this island in many ways and made it my home,” says Alice.
Alice knew she was an artist as a small child. “I always had interest in all the arts including music. I would spend my time with crayons and chalk on coloring books and even hidden away back bedroom walls that I thought needed an image,” recalls Alice. She has spent years drawing and learning how to create images and often carries a small sketch book with her to capture subjects of interest.
She started to paint professionally in the mid-1990s. Alice had several shows including a large one-person show at Pu‘u Opelu, the home of the late Richard Smart, now the Parker Ranch headquarters. Alice shares, “This was a very successful show, and many [of my] paintings were purchased. I also won a best in show at a local art exhibit.”
Alice has been influenced by some of her teachers such as Timothy J. Clark and Darrel Hill. She has also admired the work of Windlow Homer. “The beauty of Hawai‘i has been my greatest inspiration. I enjoy the plants and beautiful sea and landscapes, the flowers and fruits and the amazing culture,” says the Waikoloa resident.
One of Alice’s passions is to paint on location or from life. “There is something so alive and authentic about seeing your subject in its original state. The colors are so vivid and somehow I am able to see the essence of the subject more easily,” says Alice. She enjoys seascapes, landscapes and all the wonders of Hawai‘i.
As an artist, Alice creates from her imagination as well, using a compilation of images put together for a pleasing composition of subjects that are reflected in her paintings. She has made a variety of prints and Christmas cards from her work.
Water colors are another favorite for Alice, having painted with them for many years. Alice paints on a half-sheet of Arche water color paper and uses Winsor Newton paints. “This combination if handled with care will make the watercolor paintings last many years,” says Alice.
With a fond love of music, Alice’s ‘ukulele is always in her studio. “I love to sing and play the lovely nahenahe (sweet and soothing) songs of Hawai‘i,” shares Alice, who also performs with a trio every other Saturday at a local resort lobby. “We are called Na Leo Nahenahe O Waikoloa and sing the beautiful mele (songs) of Hawai‘i. The words and images of these songs are an inspiration for my art…music and art seem to go hand in hand for me. They both seem to bring out some of the best in humanity,” says Alice. She continues, “I have been blessed with a career in real estate and the ownership of a real estate brokerage, a several generation family here in Hawai‘i, a supportive spouse, Ken, a group of great friends who love to swim, hike, enjoy Hawai‘i, and have a love of music. I am very grateful for Hawai‘i and the one of a kind, world renowned place that it is.”
For more information: aliceinhawaii@gmail.com
808.989.1905
Table Of Contents Photographer: Fern Gavelek
Fern Gavelek is a veteran journalist and public relations professional who says she “takes photos to illustrate stories and events.” The Hōlualoa resident moved to Hawai‘i in 1988 and started covering topics for Ke Ola Magazine with the first issue in December 2008.
Regarding her photo, Chef Trask’s Fruit Plate, Fern says, “I was on assignment writing about and photographing culinary options at the former Outrigger Keauhou Beach Hotel in 2008. I asked Executive Chef William Kaluakini Trask to prepare a plate of fruit that guests could enjoy from the breakfast buffet. We took the plate outside and I shot this photo on the hotel grounds.”
The late Chef William was a wizard as the culinary Art of Garde Manger and his buffets were colorful and full of Hawai‘i’s bounty. An advocate for fostering farmer-chef relationships, he often hung a huge bunch of bananas right on the buffet to the delight of patrons.
For more information: ferng@hawaii.rr.com
