Kailua Village Artists operates two galleries. One is located at the Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort and is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The second gallery is at the Alii Sunset Plaza and is open from
SPECIAL TO WEST HAWAII TODAY
Betty Gerstner, porcelain artist and watercolor painter, is Kailua Village Artists’ featured artist for the month of March.
Gerstner has been a porcelain artist for more than 30 years. In 2000, shortly after moving to Hawaii, she began studying watercolor with some of the better known watercolor masters on the Big Island. She now divides her time between the two mediums of porcelain and watercolor.
Porcelain painting is an ancient art, a process that was developed hundreds of years ago. Generally, the paint is applied in layers. The painted piece is fired in a kiln at about 1,450 to 1,500 F between each application of paint. Each paint application is referred to as a “fire.” The paint is translucent, so colors from previous fires can be seen in subsequent applications of color. For this reason, the porcelain painter must plan the light areas ahead of time, because once a color is fired in, it is well nigh impossible to remove. Depending on the desired color density and subject, a finished piece may require anywhere from five to 12 fires.
Hawaii’s scenery, tropical atmosphere and people are an inspiration to Gerstner’s artistic talents. Her diverse subjects range from tropical birds, fish and honu to the colorful flowers and points of interest of Hawaii. She also paints pet portraits by commission.
Her art studio is at her home in Captain Cook, where she teaches classes in porcelain painting.
She invites the public to see her latest work and talk story Sunday and March 20 and 24 at the Alii Sunset Plaza gallery. She will also painting March 22 there. She will be at the Keauhou Beach Outrigger Resort on March 13 and 30 and will be painting there March 25.
Kailua Village Artists operates two galleries. One is located at the Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort and is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The second gallery is at the Alii Sunset Plaza and is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
